Just looking at the uncertain times we operate in, it could feel like a waste of precious time and effort to put together any sort of strategy or plan. In fact, this could be the ideal time for you to either review, update or start your strategy planning
Why plan?
The process of planning has a huge benefits for you and your organisation, investing time to do this can help you in: Exploring ideas and alternatives. Just thinking through your ideas and goals starts the process of thinking through how you can achieve these things. That process can be liberating in times of change. Clarify your thoughts and getting those ideas, thoughts, goals and aspirations out of your head. Our brains are often ticking away an unconscious level, solving problems thinking through plans, strategies and goals, so getting these out and capturing them is a great thing to do. Taking some time to tap into these thoughts can help you capture these new ideas, thoughts and perspectives. In turbulent times, we often see the world, goals and barriers in a different light, why not use this opportunity to capture these new and fresh perspectives?
Documenting your ideas and plans for you and those around you can help give you and your team clarity and communicate more effectively. It may help you and your teams change your thinking to a more longer term outlook, raising you above current challenges.
Why plan now with so many unknowns?
With so many unknows I am seeing individuals and companies lose sight of what is important to them and what they are looking to achieve. Taking time to plan can really help you regain focus on these things. Taking time to plan can help you and your team clarify a range of approaches and solutions, it may even help you come up with new solutions to problems that you couldn’t previously see (how many organisations said that home working was impossible before the first lockdown, and how many other new solutions could come out of the current environment). There is less thinking time needed! You have already explored alternatives, ideas and thoughts, so as the world changes around you so you can flex your approach and plan.
How do you go about planning?
One opportunity we have at the minute is a little more reflective time, and I have to admit I am massive fan of a walk and a think. No technology, no agenda, simply time to mull over ideas and play with new concepts and approaches. If you prefer, try just a brain dump, producing a mind map or your ideas, lay them out on a whiteboard or make good use of a pack of post it notes. But what exactly can help you frame your thoughts and plans. There are two approaches I like: 1. End game plans. What is the end game for me and my business (you can’t be there forever), so let’s plan what your exit, or your end game looks like. What do you want that to look like, feel like and when do you want that to happen? 2. Play in the perfect space! Think about a time frame, say five years from today and spend some (not all) of your time thinking about what a perfect position would be for you in that time frame. Top tip here – most people think too small and underestimate what can be achieved in five years.
Finally, what should you produce? A plan that brings your goals and aspirations to life, something you will use regularly and the simplest visual representation of your plan and strategy, perhaps a one-page document. Once you have this, it will be something you can use day to day, share with others and make part of your day to day and week to week thinking and activities, this really brings your plans to life. I am working with a number of individuals, business owners and teams at the minute and here are some of the things that I am hearing as benefit of taking the time to plan right now: “It’s made me stop and think about what I have achieved this year and how I can repeat it next year.”
“Linking my personal and business goals has given me real clarity on what is most important to me” “It’s saved me time and helped me focus on what I need to achieve”
I know planning can be tough at the best of times, and feel doubly challenging given what we are facing. Having said that I encourage you to think about your own plans, goals and aspirations from a personal and business perspective and start mapping your personal strategy to make this happen. Yes, these are uncertain times, so investing time now in planning will help you and your business grow, develop and move towards your own goals.
