So you’re looking at the calendar and you see that 2021 is just a few weeks away.  That feeling of excitement creeps in.  And then the fear. And then the anxiety that you have not even begun to plan for the new year, because who the hell knows what next year will look like.

We all planned and plotted for 2020. We made lists and we checked them twice.  And then…2020.  What a rollercoaster ride.  

This year we should plan for the unexpected.  This year we should make smart, flexible decisions that set us up for success and the ability to pivot our plans in the face of uncertainty.  

In Q4 my team is busy making big plans for 2021, while remaining cautiously optimistic.  If there is one thing I am super passionate about at this point in my career, it is helping other entrepreneurs set themselves up for success.  Here is our five point planning process that you can plug and play into your own system, spreadsheet, or notebook.

STEP ONE: Categorize 

Set up a series of lists so that you can categorize your plans and goals in the following categories: Goals, Strategic Planning, Marketing Plans, Launches, Concepts, Growth and Scaling. Our team uses ClickUp to keep track of all of our tasks and projects, and planning for 2021 is no exception. 

Within our Beyond Boss space, we created a “2021 Planning” list, and then created categories for each of the items above.  From there we can set up tasks for different items within each category, and upload files, comment, or even start a Zoom call directly from the task.

STEP TWO: Brain dump.  

Grab a notebook or a Google Doc and start writing everything you want to do next year.  No organization here, this is a stream of consciousness.  From financial goals you want to hit to things you want to implement and how you want to feel, to who you want to serve and what you can accomplish for them. Write it all down.

There are no rules in a brain dump.  Get it all on paper.  The sky’s the limit. 

STEP THREE: Get Organized

Grab the brain dump and start organizing them into those categories that are listed above.  Do not dive further into those items just yet.  

Break down items into quarter specific categories (Q1 Marketing Plan, for example).

STEP FOUR: Cull The List

It is time to be somewhat cutthroat.  Some of your concepts or goals might not be realistic or in line with your vision for your business. Cut them.

Our goal is to develop our plans for 2021 in a way that is attainable and builds confidence.  

STEP FIVE:  Get to work on specific items. 

Get your ideas flowing and start making notes.  We will use the To Do list feature within this item to focus on action items (things that have a deadline or due date). The comments section will be used to chat back and forth, and we will attach any relevant documents, photos, or graphics for our plan.  

By creating a well organized system for planning out your next year, you will be able to navigate setbacks and changes, and visualize what you want to accomplish in your year.

Systems result in peace of mind, which results in confidence, which results in success.

Questions?  EMAIL ME, I’ll give the best advice that I’ve got!