If you want results, then you need a plan. 

Whether you are looking to be healthier or get out of debt, you need a plan and I believe the plan needs to be written down.

At the beginning of Every year I do a Strategic Roadmap.  I learned this tool from Todd Durkin.  You review the previous year and then begin to create a roadmap for your goals and objectives for the upcoming year.  

FYI: This year I’ll be sending out my Roadmap that I created for myself!

With this roadmap, you know which actions you need to take in order to achieve your goals and objectives.


Simple way to Develop a Plan: Work Backwards

If you’re new to creating a plan, then the simple way to get started is to decide what it is you want and then work backwards from there.

What do you want to do?
Why do you want to do this?
What will you need to accomplish your goals?
Who do you need to enlist to help you out?
When will you check in to see results?

For instance if my goal is to reduce my debt this year. That is very vague so I can break it down like this:

What do you want to do?
I want to reduce my debt by 50% this year.

Why do you want to do this?
I will be able to pursue more of my goals such as investing and setting up my retirement

What will you need to accomplish your goals?
A finance app to help me track my spending (Mint.com)
A part time job to save more money and pay debt

Who do you need to enlist to help you out?
Financial Advisor
Accountant
Accountability partner to help me monitor my progress

When will you check in to see results?
Monthly to make sure I am not spending more than I earn
Quarterly to see how I’m doing this year

Plan of Thinking and Talking doesn’t count

It’s called a plan of ACTION so that means you must EXECUTE AND ACT.  Having a Great plan that you’ve thought and talked to death isn’t going to make it.  YOU MUST TAKE ACTION on your plan.


Review and Revise: Don’t be married to the Plan

I struggle with this but once you make a plan be FLEXIBLE.  Don’t become married to your plan.  Life will happen, situations will change, things will not go the way you think they should so Review and Revise your direction if necessary.

This week CREATE YOUR PLAN FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR AND THEN ACT ON IT.  

P.S. We are getting ready to head into a new decade.  Can you believe it?  Now is a great time to Reflect and Plan your next steps.