Is That a Plan? I Don’t Think That’s A Plan….

The first week of January, most small business owners show up ready to dig in, tackling things that previously lay dormant, and focusing on a bunch of new concepts. They get random stuff done, and feel productive, but is it the right stuff to move the needle? In order to move that needle, you need to be clear on where it’s going and the realistic action steps to get you there. As this article from the Harvard Extension School explains, creating an action plan is one of the most effective ways to turn goals into concrete progress. Not in your head, but down on paper. Ask yourself honestly about what’s in your head right now - Is that a plan? I don’t think that’s a plan….

What Are the Signs?

You can hold it in your hands. You can check things off. It’s scheduled. A plan has a structured framework. A roadmap. A blueprint. Call it what you will, but it is an official, written or typed document that covers what you need to do and when to achieve your goals.

There’s no need to feel deflated if you suddenly realize you don’t have an actual plan. Not having a plan isn’t always obvious, especially at the beginning of a new year when you are swimming in the abundant pool of hope and refreshed enthusiasm. Your vision is big and bright for the year, and you have lots of ideas, visions, and possibilities. 

But by March, things haven’t gone the way you thought they were going to go. You feel more like you’re on a treadmill than a path moving forward. 

I’m sure you’re dedicated to your business, and you think about it all the time. But that kind of thinking ebbs and flows with your mood, the day, your energy. An established plan is a solid foundation you can lean on when your “thinking” is having a bad day.

What should my plan look like?

• It’s written down somewhere where you can access it every day.

• Your goals are broken down into realistic tasks - bite-size action steps that you can accomplish easily.

• You have a list of necessary resources - platforms, software connections, a VA, etc.

• It’s built to complement your calendar and the time you have available to work on your business.

• It has “adjacent” plans - like sales or marketing, and they are included.

• It’s built around realistic timelines.

I’ve worked with many small business owners who initially say, “I know what I need to do.” Or, “It’s all up here,” (pointing to their head), or “I’ll do it when things calm down.” 

You can be busy, committed, and thoughtful, and still not have a plan. A plan has to be something you work from. You can’t execute on a plan that doesn’t exist.

I see this all the time in conversations with business owners. 

I recently worked with a client whose goal was to “grow visibility.” When I asked what that meant operationally, there were no specific outreach targets, no email schedule, no networking rhythm - just a general sense that she should be “doing more.”

Once we mapped out a simple plan — three networking events per month, two newsletters per month, and a weekly follow-up block — the energy shifted. It wasn’t because she was working more. But because she was finally working from a concrete plan.

That’s the difference between thinking about growth and planning for growth.

FAQs

How detailed does a business plan need to be?

It doesn’t need to be a 40-page document. A useful plan is practical and actionable. You should be able to look at it and immediately see what needs to happen this week or this month. The key is clarity. You want specific goals, clear action steps, and realistic timelines.

What’s the best way to get started?

Start small, with two or three goals. Break them down into tasks that you can reasonably get done in the next 90 days. Commit to them on your calendar. A plan only works if it connects directly to how you spend your time. 

Why do small business owners struggle with planning?

Many business owners keep their plans in their heads. They’re thinking about their business constantly, but that kind of thinking shifts with mood, energy, and the demands of the day. Writing a plan down creates structure and gives you something concrete to work from when things get busy.

CEO Power Planning is designed to turn ideas into a focused, executable 90-day plan you can actually work from.

If you’re ready to move from scattered effort to structured momentum, join me on March 19. Here are the details.