2010 is just around the corner! Plan on it being a good year!

I met with a client today and our discussions turned to how tough a year it has been and I asked what he felt that 2010 would look like and what his plans were. He surprised me when he said, he was not making any plans for 2010 and would take it as it came. Like so many people, the current state of things has some of us down and feeling like the road ahead is going to be tough. While that may be true it is always critical to plan for yourself and your company. The old saying “Plan your work, work your plan” instantly comes to my mind when I start thinking about next year. If I don’t plan I usually get the results associated to having no plan.

Planning is not difficult, it’s relatively simple yet so very critical to our success as individuals and companies. A plan is like making a wish or a promise. If I were a salesperson, I might plan on securing two new clients a month next year. Of for a business owner, I might plan on making face to face visits to my clients next year or build an Olympic quality team. Regardless of our plan, it is important to incorporate goals into our planning which give us something to strive for in our work. If you are going to make plans, set goals which are obtainable yet challenge us.

For me, I am going to plan on having a great year and increase sales by working with my staff to deliver top level services and results. I am going to meet with more of my clients face to face and re-kindle old relations.

2010 does not have to be a great year to make it one. Plan on it!