I’ve talked with many people who want to start a business online but are not sure where to start and don’t know what kind of plan to make. Add to that the vast amount of information that is thrown at you (if you’ve signed up for any Internet Marketing newsletters you’ll know what I mean), and you’re left with information overload before you’ve even started.

A plan will keep you focused on what needs to done and when – and keep you motivated when things aren’t going your way. A first draft plan can be as simple as -

1) Write down your longer term goals for 3-5 years
2) Write down your medium term goals for 1-3 years
3) Write down you your 1 year goals

The main focus will then be on your 1 year goals. Because you now know what you want to achieve, take some time to flesh out how you are going to get them. This can take some time, but the upshot is that it makes you really focus on what you need to do to reach your 12 month goals.

It also shows you whether the goals you set are realistic or not…

For me, this is the most important part as I’m dreadful at setting myself unrealistic targets. I really believe they are achievable until I write down the steps I need to take to get there. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t stop me – it just gives me perspective.

Many times my 12 month goals have had to be pushed out to 2 or 3 years, but, I just replace them with shorter terms goals and work towards those instead.

The other important thing about plans, is that they have to be flexible. How you get where you want to go will change regularly, and you need to keep your plans up to date as things change.

Nothing about your plans or goals should be set in stone, except what you want to achieve.

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