#377 - Flip-flopping or focused? The power of a vision-driven business plan
Before we dive in, I wanted to thank everyone who kindly welcomed me back; it was wonderful to get so many emails and LinkedIn comments; I really do appreciate it, a lot.
And it’s great timing. Don’t you think September is just the most gorgeous time to think about planning? There’s something about that back-to-school vibe that makes it feel like anything’s possible.
Why you need a plan
A plan gives you a roadmap towards the life you want; every step, every decision becomes intentional - you’re not leaving it to chance.
If you’ve got a team, they know what they’re working towards too. Everyone pulls in the same direction
And it creates a culture of consistent progress towards what you want – and we all know that consistency is one of THE most powerful ways to achieve long term success.
Without a plan you’re in chaos; blown around by clients, the economy or whatever the latest crisis is.
You end up flip-flopping. One day it’s this idea, the next you’ve listened to a podcast, been to an event or talked to a consultant and suddenly you’re off in another direction. We’ve all been there, right? (I most definitely have!)
It’s exhausting. It’s chaotic. And no one, including you, knows what’s going on.
Start with your vision
But just hold on - before you start mapping out your plan, there’s a crucial first step. Your vision for your life.
Because there’s no point creating a business that doesn’t give you what you want. I’m constantly stunned by how few people have that clarity on what they truly want - not what a coach, consultant, accountant (or podcast!) told them they “should” want.
It has to come from you - what you want for your life, your family, and your future.
I’ve recently upgraded my own vision as I uplevel my business for 2025, so I’ll go out on a limb here and share my latest vision with you to get you thinking!
My Vision
“I’m doing work that feeds my soul, that I’m brilliant at, and makes a real difference in the world. My greatest driver is helping business owners create financial abundance to transform their futures, free from financial stress. I’ve got an awesome reputation and in I’m always in demand. I’ve got an award winning blog that inspires thousands of people.
I’m a learning and growth junkie, always looking for the next uplevel to help my clients.
I have the loveliest clients who align with my energy, and I attract just the right people to work with. Money flows easily to me and I’m moving towards financial freedom every day, with an ideal mix of retainer clients, transformation projects and financial coaching work. I prioritise my health and fitness – this comes first always; I eat brilliantly and exercise every day. I know this is the lead domino to an awesome life.
I feel true freedom, adventure and joy in my life and all my old financial fear patterns have healed. I know with certainty the magic came from creating my vision and aligning my business to it.”
Don’t make it all about the money
You’ll notice there’s no mention of a 20% EBIT in my vision!
I’ve fallen into the trap of focusing solely on financial goals before. And chasing dreams that were never mine.
Now, after 24 hard years in business, we have become mortgage free and reached a significant net wealth milestone. But it came at a price. I’ve sacrificed joy and my health at times along the way chasing my financial goals, (hello ME, breakdown and breast cancer) and taken on work I didn’t love to get there. And I wasted a lot of time (and SO much money) following strategies and programs that didn’t align with what I really wanted.
I’ve worked with many clients who’ve done the same, focusing only on financial goals. It’s soulless. It becomes forced, mechanical, and transactional (not to mention incredibly stressful). And no one but you cares - find me a team member who’s excited about your pension!
Creating your vision
Maybe you’ve already got a clear compelling vison that excites you. Maybe you’ve let it slip and crisis management has taken over lately. Or maybe you’ve never given yourself the time and space to get that clarity.
Wherever you’re starting from, take some time to think about this. Don’t force it with pure logic or left-brain thinking. Your vision has to come from the deeper, creative part of you—the side that connects to your passion, dreams, and mission.
I’ve got a couple of tools to help you create your vision
Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold – he talks about creating a crystal-clear picture of the future you want for your life and business. It’s not some vague mission statement; it’s a roadmap that gets you excited about what’s possible. I love his process, and many of my clients have used it.
This powerful journaling exercise “If magic had permeated every area of my life, what would have happened”. This is from an awesome coach called Caroline Britton and it’s what I used to create my vision.
Next Week: Translating Vision into Your Business
Next week I’ll talk about how to take that personal vision and translate it into your business, so make sure you’re keeping up!
Got a plan that excites you? Already feeling clearer on your vision? I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a line or share your thoughts in the comments—let’s get a conversation going!