Success Off The Beaten Path

Everyone knows that creating a business plan is an important step in helping your business grow and evolve over time. As an entrepreneur (or aspiring entrepreneur), it is important to have short and long term goals to guide you and help focus your attention on the tasks at hand so that you can make the most of your hard work. Right? Are you sure?

Ok, that is a trick question. Because although there is value in having a plan to follow and keep you on track, the essence of entrepreneurship is creativity and making the most of opportunities that come your way. How can you combine the structure necessary for success with opportunity and creativity? Here are a few ideas:

Craft your business plan in pencil not concrete. Acknowledge right from the start that you will experience unforeseen opportunity and challenges.
Leave time in your schedule for expansion. There is nothing worse than not being able to engage in an exciting opportunity because you are already overcommitted with other tasks.
Network and participate in educational workshops to stoke your creativity and expose yourself and your business to emerging and disruptive ideas. Exchange ideas with people from other professions. Don’t be afraid to attend conferences or take courses outside your field and comfort zone.
Pay attention to what is happening around you. Follow news stories, pay attention to what is trending on social media, volunteer for organizations aligned with your business ideals.
Finally, review your plans on a regular basis. Discuss your sketched out goals with trusted individuals and don’t be afraid to discard obsolete plans in favor of those that enrich you both personally and financially!
Julie Beyer, MA, RDN – Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate