We’re nearing the end of a series of episodes of Pep Talks for Side Hustlers, I’m going to take you behind the scenes of my strategic planning process – so be sure that you’re subscribed so that you don’t miss a step!
From setting big goals to getting into the weeds with data to planning out what I’m doing next and and when it’s going to happen, I’m going to break it all down for you, and share the insights I’ve uncovered along the way.
In episode 155, I shared with you some key metrics that you’ll need to pull together so that you can figure out where to focus your time and money in the upcoming year, and a formula for figuring out what to focus on based on the numbers.
In episode 156, we talked about how to survey our current email list to find out who is buying from us, who isn’t and what to do about it.
Then in episode 157, I shared with how to figure out if what you’re spending your time and money on is actually worth your efforts.
And in episode 158, we talked about a method of goal setting that I learned that led me to where I am right now and I walked you through how to do it in your side hustle.
So if you’re not subscribed to the podcast, go ahead and do that now so that you don’t miss another episode, because today we’re going to talk about how to put these goals into an actual plan so that you really do them.
And first, I’m going to recommend my business coach Vicki Fitch’s Rockstar Guide to Getting it Done, which I’ve linked up in the show notes – you can just scroll down on this episode to see them and then tap that link to head over to her site, or just go to VickiFitch.com/courses and you’ll see it.
Some of the concepts I’m going to share with you today I learned from that guide, but there’s a whole entire planning process that goes into that if you implement it, you will be a machine and you’ll feel like you’re totally in control of life!
Okay, so the first thing I want you to do is block three to four days on your calendar to walk through this planning process for next year. You’ll need one day to gather all the data and put together your customer survey like we talked about in 155 and 156, and then another day to review how you’re spending your time vs. your marketing goals and to actually brainstorm some goals and set your PUSH goal.
You’ll need a third day to create this plan I’m going to share with you, and you might possibly need a 4th day for budgeting which I’ll talk about tomorrow, so be sure you’re subscribed.
They don’t have to be consecutive days, but I’m a nerd like that so I like them to be. If you’re side hustling this might need to be two weekends, or a weekend day a month, or whatever. So give yourself enough time for this process, it’s important.
After you’ve blocked the time this year, go ahead and block it on your calendar for next year. Yep, we’re not just planning, we’re planning ahead!
Then, I want you to pick one day a quarter for planning the next quarter. So in October, I’m planning for January – March, and in January, I’m planning for April – June, and so on.
And then, at the end of every month, pick a day to plan out the next month. This can overlap with those quarterly planning days.
And then every week, pick the day that you’ll plan the next week. I do mine on Sundays.
You’ve planned time to plan. That’s a huge first step that most people don’t do, and that’s straight out of the Rockstar Guide to Getting it Done which I highly, highly recommend.
And I also know what my goals are thanks to the process I walked through yesterday, and I know exactly which one to focus on first thanks to my PUSH goal.
So for me, the rest of this year will be best spent building a team to support my next goal which is to increase the number of Done For You clients that I book, and I want to do that starting in Q1 of 2019.
And then you plan out when you want make all the things happen. Think about what’s going on in your life in certain months, when holidays typically fall, when people are typically taking vacations, when other people in your niche are doing big promotions, and work around that stuff, or at least be aware of it.
This next step is key.
What has to happen before that thing you’re doing to actually make it happen? Marketing, planning, hiring, creating.
And just a note about marketing, this is a great time to make a content calendar. What content do you have to create to market the things that you’re doing and when those things need to roll out in advance of those launches and promotions. I go into this process for members of my Serious Side Hustlers in a live workshop, it’s too much to cover on the podcast.
Put it on the calendar.
Then look at it.
Do you have time left over to actually do that thing you do in your business? Is there time for the day-to-day? For your day job? Is there time for LIFE?
If you’re thinking “how can I fit this all in?” you might need to pare down the number of goals to accomplish, or decide what you’re going to stop doing in other parts of your life or business to make it happen. You might need to hire someone to help you.
You’re going to have to make some tough decisions about what you really want.
This is where the dreams become the reality. When you schedule the time for it on your calendar and commit to it. It’s no longer, “Well, I’d love to do this and this and this.” It’s I’m doing this, and here’s when, and here’s what I’m doing leading up to that to make it happen.
And it’s strategic. It’s based on data. And it’s based on your WHY.
There’s so, so many more ninja tricks to planning that you can learn inside of Vicki’s Rockstar Guide to getting it Done that I wish I could just tell them all to you but then that would be copyright infringement and I’m not all about that, so definitely check that out, it’s worth the investment in the amount of time you’ll save and the progress you’ll make.
Okay so we have our plan… Now how are we gonna make it happen? Well, we need a budget. And that’s what we’re going to walk through tomorrow, so hit that subscribe button and I’ll see you right back here tomorrow.
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