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Set goals and make a plan
A practical guide to turning your ideas into a workable plan, setting realistic goals and staying focused. Get clarity on what you want to achieve and create a simple plan to move your business forward.
Start with what you want to achieve
Having a clear plan makes it easier to make decisions, stay focused and move your business forward. It doesn’t need to be complicated – just a realistic plan that works for you.
Get clear on what you want to achieve
Set realistic goals that match your time and resources
Break your goals into smaller steps
Review your progress regularly and adjust when needed
1. Set a clear direction
Start with the bigger picture. A clear direction helps you focus your time and make better decisions.
• What your business does
• Who it is for
• What problem it solves
• What success looks like for you
2. Turn ideas into goals
Goals help turn ideas into a plan. Keep them clear, realistic and specific, with a deadline so you can track your progress.
Goal
Grow website enquiries by 50%
Why it matters
More enquiries lead to more work and a more stable business.
Deadline
31 Dec
Measure
Increase monthly enquiries from 10 to 15.
3. Break goals into actions
Smaller steps make your goals feel manageable. A 90-day action plan helps you focus on what to do next.
| Priority | Actions | Deadline | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Update website with clearer services and case studies. | 30 Apr | Not started |
| High | Create and share 4 helpful blog posts. | 31 May | In progress |
| Medium | Improve social media profile and content. | 30 Jun | Not started |
| Medium | Set up an email list and welcome sequence. | 31 Jul | Not started |
4. Choose what to track
Tracking a few key numbers helps you see what’s working and where to focus next. Choose the metrics that matter most to your business.
Enquiries
New contact enquiries each month.
Sales
Number of bookings or projects.
Revenue
Total income generated.
Costs
Business expenses.
Repeat customers
Clients who come back.
Time
Hours spent on key tasks or projects.
5. Build a review routine
Regular reviews help you stay on track, spot any issues early and adjust your plan when needed. Keep it simple and make it part of your routine.
Weekly check-in
• Look at your progress
• Tick off completed tasks
• Sort out any blockers
• Plan your focus for next week
Monthly review
• Check your key metrics
• See what’s working and what isn’t
• Adjust your plan if needed
• Set your focus for the next month
Keep your plan workable
A few simple principles can help you stay on track and make steady progress.
- Keep it simple – you don’t need a complicated plan
- Focus on a few key priorities
- Review regularly to see what’s working
- Adjust when needed – your plan can evolve
A simple planning checklist
Use this checklist to get started and keep your plan on track.
☐ Define what you want to achieve
☐ Set 3-5 realistic goals
☐ Break each goal into smaller actions
☐ Add deadlines and track your progress
☐ Check your key metrics regularly
☐ Review what’s working and adjust
☐ Keep your plan simple and realistic
☐ Stay focused and take consistent action
Related guidance can be found in Running the Business, including Understand your market, Track your progress, Pricing your work and Streamline your workflow.
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