Creative And Simple Tips For Planning A Profitable 2010

Creative entrepreneurs love the idea of “having a plan” but often struggle with how to make one, given the deluge of ideas they have spinning around in their head. The planning process can feel overwhelming and the end result is often a plan that still doesn’t answer the essential question, “What do I do FIRST?”

If that sounds like you, then you’re in luck. As a highly creative entrepreneur I’ve figured out how to honor my creative, feminine spirit AND design a practical plan that will ensure I meet my financial goals.

The results of the process I’ve designed have contributed significantly to my going from frustrating five figures just a few short years ago, to now having a multi-million dollar coaching business. The cool thing is, I still use the same planning process every year.

This part may make you laugh: I don’t use fancy spreadsheets, charts, graphs or any of the traditional, male-oriented planning tools. Doing so sounds like far too much work!

Instead, I run my entire multi 7-figure business from a plan written out on a couple sheets of paper with pencil. The secret is what goes ON those sheets of paper.

Here are 3 simple tips taken from my planning process, each designed to help you create the Divine Feminine version of a business plan.

Tip #1 Include Both Your Divine Feminine AND Masculine Strengths In Your Business Design For 2010

The Divine Feminine spirit is rich with ideas, creativity and inspiration. But if not properly directed the energy this part of you provides can easily get diluted, with nothing concrete to show for it. You need the strength of the masculine, which loves to implement, on your side to put your ideas into action.

Which is why I recommend listing all of the things you want to accomplish in a year, then assigning them to a specific time table. You’ll quickly see if you have more ideas than you have months in the year (likely) and can make adjustments to your plan so that you’re realistic about what you can actually accomplish.

Tip #2 Don’t Make This Mistake When Setting Your Income Goal For The Year

Most entrepreneurs start their new year’s planning by trying to figure out how to maintain the same income they made last year, or, at best, set a new goal that’s only slightly bigger than before.

This is a big mistake because this kind of thinking comes from fear and scarcity. Plus, it means you’re trying to maintain your business instead of growing it. Remember this: the amount you made in the past year represents your OLD thinking, mindset, beliefs and values. To increase your revenue you need to adopt at least ONE new mindset, belief or value.

Which is why I HIGHLY recommend setting your new year’s income goal by looking forward, not backward. Choose a new income goal that is big enough to provoke you to think bigger about yourself, take bigger action and step up in a bigger way.

Once you have your new number you’re ready to plan the activities, campaigns, programs and products that will produce the results you’re looking for.

Tip #3 Design Your Plan Focused On Your “Calling”

The masculine part of us says to “get real, be practical,” which is great. Thing is, if you lead with the practical you’ll likely miss out on the inspired moments that will help you leap your business forward in a new and powerful way.

Start your biz design process by listening to your inner guidance, which tells you what you’re called to do. Is it to help people find their ideal relationship, to improve communication in the workplace or to empower women to stand up for themselves? Perhaps it’s to help others in your field create success or to help business owners lead their company to financial greatness without sacrificing their morals.

Once you’re clear and connected to your calling (what I often refer to as your Soul’s Divine Purpose) you can design your business model, program and product offers to deliver your message and value to the world.

For example: Three years ago my inner guidance directed me to create powerful, confident, financially and spiritually successful business coaches. I listened to that voice of wisdom and launched the highly successful Money, Marketing and Soul Coach Training program (which brought in multiple 6-figures its first year) and the soon-to-be-announced International Association of Women in Business Coaching.

Keep Your Business Planning SIMPLE

Creative entrepreneurs need to be careful to keep things simple. By doing so you allow your energy and your actions to focus on creating results, which means you’re serving more people in a bigger way, and reaping the rewards you deserve.

Award-winning small business expert Kendall SummerHawk is the Million Dollar Marketing Coach.

Would you like to learn more simple ways entrepreneurs can brand, package and price their services to quickly move away from ‘dollars-for-hours work’ and create more money, time, and freedom in their businesses? Check out my web site, http://www.KendallSummerHawk.com, for free articles, free resources and to sign up for my free audio mini-seminar “7 Simple Steps to Create Your Multiple Streams of In-come “Money and Soul” Business.