Creative Success, LLC

Before you stop reading, there are all kinds of business plans–some only one page and that may be all you need.

I do a biz plan collage every year as I think in pictures plus words for goal setting. Some people love charts and Excel spreadsheets or mind maps. There is a choice out there that can work for you. Whether you own a business or are inside a company, for now, you are CEO of your professional development. It is your job to be in charge of your career, your finances, and your happiness. Stop waiting for someone to rescue you.

Start with a statement of purpose–why are you doing the work you are doing and who does it serve? What products and services do you offer and how do they work? Who is your ideal client or customer? What are your costs and potential profits? How much capital do you need or are you self-financing? What are your plans for expansion, if you have any, or plans to sell your biz at some point? These are the core questions.

But I always add a few more. What is your heartfelt commitment to this biz? How does it jibe with your lifestyle? You want your business to be in alignment with creating a life of meaning and joy that reflects your values and enhances your relationships. Then there is the all important question of life balance –however you define it. Does this business increase your quality of life or destroy it? If you didn’t need the money would you want to do at least part of it anyway? Which part? What kind of a team do you want to create or do you want to fly solo? Who will be your advisors and/or mentors?

The essence of a great biz/career plan is total honesty, not just with the numbers, but with your heart and soul.

So forget the banks or the VC’s for now and answer the tough questions. If you feel stuck, keep a journal for a month and note all your emotions as well as strategies. You will begin to get clear and that will lay the groundwork for your success, with your own formula.