7 Steps to Creating a Simplified Strategic Business Plan

Updated blog 11/2022 originally wrote in 10/2020

Watch the video above as I share my 7 steps to creating a simplified strategic business plan so that you can close out 2022 with the same intensity that you started it.

Step 1-Reflect & Celebrate

Wow, what a year!  Just kidding. We're only at Q4, even thought this year feels like it's been the longest 9 months ever. (Thanks Covid-19)

Funny to think back on the past few years living through a pandemic and re-reading what I wrote that year. As I update this blog I realize we've come so far since the end of 2020 yet so much is still the same in 2022 from what has changed.

There is so much to learn from looking back and seeing how far we’ve come. It’s important that we reflect on what worked well and what areas we might need to improve on in the new year. We also need to celebrate all of your hard work that you have accomplished, so often we forget to celebrate the small things as well as the big things.

Let’s take a step back before we move forward and start planning out the last quarter.

The questions below are a great way to start reflecting and celebrating all that has happened in Q3. 

What did you enjoy most about your business in Q3?

What progress did I make?

What was my greatest success?

What was my greatest struggle?

What felt really easy?

What felt really hard?

What feels broken or messy?

What projects did you enjoy creating?

What do you never want to do again?

Was there anything you wanted to accomplish but didn't get done?

What systems do you need to change or fix in your business?

What was your biggest money maker?

What made you the least money?

Did you lose money in any area?

How much did your email list grow this year?

What activities brought in the most leads?

How much money did you gross this year?

What were your total expenses?

What can you celebrate about Q3?

Step 2- Dream Big Brainstorming

Visualize what you are doing in 5-10 years

Why does that dream matter?

What would you do if you couldn’t fail?

What are your values?

What is your company mission?

What is your vision for your business?

Step 3- What are your Non-Negotiables

What are you not willing to do any longer, so that you can move forward and have an amazing new year?

Example: I am no longer going to work nights or weekends. I am going to put my health first: take yoga 4x a week. I am planning my vacation before I plan my year. I am only taking on clients that align with my values. 

Step 4- Plan

What's the money goal for Q4? minimum cash goal as well as a stretch goal

What needs to happen to hit that goal?

What level of support do I need to hit the goal? (do I need to learn a new skill, invest in a coaching program, hire a team)

What have I been putting off that I would like to add to my business?

What content do I want to create?

How will I market to increase visibility?

What 3-5 marketing action items will you do this quarter?

Step 5- Now break it down by month

What is your focus for Oct, Nov & Dec.

Create an action plan that is broken down into steps for each month.

Step 6- Gut Check

Now that you’ve mapped out your quarter, it’s important to do a planning process gut check.

Check in with yourself and ask yourself the following questions.

Am I excited about the plan I’ve created?

Do I have enough white space built into my schedule between activities?

What needs to change so that I can feel excited about my plan?

Step 7- Add it to your calendar in big size pieces

Fill in your calendar by they week, day and hour so you know what to focus on each day. Be as detailed as feels good to you, the goal is to take the guesswork out of what you’ll be doing each day so that you can show up focus and ready.

BONUS: Step 8- Schedule time to Rest & Recharge

I'm adding this one in as I've been leaning into how important it is to schedule time off, whether it's a few hours each week, a half-day, or preferably a few days chunked together per month to slow down, take care of you, and allow yourself to dream. Take a look at your calendar and block off time now before your schedule fills up. I've been doing this the past year and it has made a huge impact on my energy and the impact I'm able to make when I come in refreshed vs. burned out.