The biggest complaint women entrepreneurs have is that they are trying to find balance in their lives but their business tends to take over.
So this year, start off by building balance into your business plan by writing a simple focused two page business and lifestyle plan. One that is integrated, simple and easy to use and access.
Capture the essence of where you want to take your business, the strategic projects or services you want to build and the income you want to make. Using a few key words or phrases is all you need to focus on creating the business, services, and income you want.
Simultaneously, think through where your life is headed and how you want to nurture all of you and your family too!
The value of writing a two page business and lifestyle plan is that you actually have the chance of creating a balanced joyful life. Writing one page on each side versus a lengthy document is that it actually gets used, is understandable, easy to write, update and manage.
The Simpler the Business Plan the better
The key to a living business plan is to make it simple and clear. Your focus is to plan for what is critical to the growth and development of the business and then implement the plan with a laser focused approach.
Start with an Assessment
Assess the different areas in your business on a scale from 1-10 to get a big picture view of your strengths and where you might want to focus. Areas to consider include, but are not limited to: Business Development -- getting new clients, Marketing (social marketing, speaking, advertising, conferences), Sales, Service Delivery, Product Development, Operations/Administration, Human Resources (eg: hiring, professional development), Revenues and cash flow.
Examine which areas need the most attention and will provide the biggest payoffs to achieve the results you desire.
Business Plan Components
Your business plan should include the following components. Remember a few words, a phrase, a few bullet points is all that is needed.
- Vision Statement - What are you building?
- Mission - What is your driving purpose? Why do you exist?
- Goals and Objectives -- What do you want to measure?
- Strategies - What is your business model, the direction you want to go, the business activity , expected results and methodology on how it will be accomplished?
- Target Markets - Who are you going after? What are their needs, wants,desires, and where do you find them?
- Your Unique Brand - What do you uniquely have to offer?
- Action Plans - What needs to be completed by when? Resources, Timelines, and Budgets
- Measurement of Success
Your integrated Lifestyle Plan
Your second page is an extension of the business plan focusing on key components in all areas of your life to include; relationships, leisure, ongoing learning, creativity, health, and finances. Similarly you will develop your
- Vision Statement - What kind of lifestyle do you want to live?
- Mission - How do you want to show up in life, with family, friends, and yourself? Goals and Objectives -- What do you want to do for yourself, your family, friends, and areas outside of work to keep you healthy and joyful?
- Strategies - What strategies do you need to put into pace to achieve your goals and integrate them into how you live daily, weekly, monthly?
- Targeted Relationships- who is important in your life and you want to spend time and energy on?
- You the Total Person- what areas of your life are important to nourish for your health, happiness, and longevity?
- Action Plans - What needs to be completed by when? Resources, Timelines, and Budgets
- Feelings of Success
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Put it all together into a two page business-life plan that will focus you on achieving the life you dream of having.
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Connect with Suzanne on twitter facebook LinkedIn or email her with questions at suzanne@saxe-roux.com
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