Planning - How to be successful in Business...

Sound familiar?

It should, this is a topic that is covered in a number of books. All too often the title continues with words like "...without being [White]" or "...without being a good ole boy" or some similar such inference. One of the things that I have found is that much too often we depend on these missing words in the form of a crutch that we lean upon to explain why we haven't traveled as far or done as much as we would have liked. Let's take a moment for some straight talk.

My momma used to say things like "...ain't no one is gonna give you nothing" or ".. don't waste your time crying because I'm not listening and I don't care because no one out there will give a damn". Now these sayings might sound a bit harsh but my momma knew that the "world is hard out there" and felt that we all have to be tougher. So the strength that she imbued in me with such statements gave me the full resources to be successful in any endeavor of my choosing. By the way if you have a mom who isn't coddling you and who is in fact pushing the same or similar statements into your psyche then you should probably be thanking her.

Success in business and in anything that you try in life can be achieved. Good Managers in business are taught that the four fundamental tasks which are required for success are planning (how to accomplish your goals and doing it in the most effective way), organizing (coordinating and assembling all of the components that you need to achieve a goal), leading (motivate and inspire others to perform at their best) and controlling (learning and changing the things that you do as you learn more).

I believe that once you understand the rules of any system and yes this is the "system" for being successful, then you can apply those rules to win through to your goal. Another thing about my momma that helped me on my journey was the application of practical common sense. To me when I see that a set of guidelines that exist for achieving a goal; I first take a common sense approach. I begin with the statement "I know nothing."

I always follow that first thought with this question "Where, then, can I find out what is necessary to be successful and accomplish my goal?" If you think about it you will realize this is a practical application of common sense. Hubris would be if one were to say "I know how to do everything" and then to start working on your goal. This would lead to failure nine times out of ten. Notwithstanding that many people who are stubborn and take the second approach eventual find some measure of success.

So why not just attack every goal with unrelenting trial and error. Two reasons, "time and money". If you don't want to waste either of these resources then get started by stating a goal. What do you want to accomplish. Next develop a plan. A lot of times this is where a book or article will stop. Most readers will be left at this point stating "How do I plan?"

• Plan by first visualizing the goal, see yourself already doing what you want to accomplish.
• Next dress for success. Dress up your vocabulary on the inside and your look of yourself on the outside.
• Mentally be a winner (think positive thoughts like "I can and will do this...")
  
• Be persistent in your strides towards your goal (because a quitter never wins and a winner never quits)
• Understand that limited failure is simply a means to ultimate victory (every failed attempt indicates how not to do something)
• True failure must be avoided - Never give up, never surrender
• Be more than the sum of your physical parts (aspire to greatness)

Why are these activities the answer of the question - how to plan? These steps allow you to clearly layout how you will approach your goal by visualizing the achievement. Once you have that vision you are on the path to success. The other recommendations above help you to walk the path. Enlightenment is at the end of this path so remember don't quit.

Lets take an example:

Plan - "I want to get a job as a manager"

1. Admit to yourself that you know nothing
2. Visualize yourself accepting this job after an interview
3. Locate sources of information on "what it takes to be a manager" (google that phrase)
4. Read the information on this topic to understand what are the rules/guidelines for this position
5. Dress up your vocabulary by doing some research on the position you want
6. Dress up in professional attire for your interview
7. Schedule several interviews via either direct application or using an agency
8. Look for a situation where the company likes you and you like the company
9. Accept that not everyone will like you and you will make mistakes during your interviews
   
10. Be persistent, adaptable (learn from your mistakes) and positive

When you attain your goal just remember that we are all mere mortals. You will need to elevate yourself by continuing to open your mind to learning new and better ways to be a better you. After applying these methods towards achieving a goal it will be a small leap for one to understand and apply these principles to the goal of building a better you.

Let's start with a plan. I will save organizing, leading and controlling for topics of future articles. If this helps you get out from under your BOX (commonly known as your TV) then drop me a line. Good luck and success in all of your dreams and goals.