Don’t look now, but we’re one calendar week away from Thanksgiving. A year that began with the usual amount of promise took a turn for the much-worse and many people will be happy to see 2020 end. 2021 will be different. As it pertains to the pandemic, which has dominated our lives in every facet, there is now promise and the hope of a return to normal.
This year has given all of us plenty of time to reflect on things. Am I happy with my career? Do I want to explore another path going forward? Am I happy with the direction I’m heading? If you’ve ever harbored the idea of becoming your own boss and taking the entrepreneurial route to success, it’s time for you to make an action plan for 2021.
Many people avoid making a plan of any kind for one simple reason—they just don’t know how to get started. We’re here to help. An action plan is basically a checklist of steps you need to achieve a stated goal. Start with a blank sheet of paper and answer the following five questions:
- What is the goal I’m trying to achieve?
Answer:
- What steps or tasks do I need to take to get to my goal?
Answer:
- What is the timeline for the tasks above?
Answer:
- What resources do I need to complete the tasks?
Answer:
- How will I measure progress and success?
Answer:
As you answer the questions above, apply the “SMART” criteria to verify the steps needed to meet your goal. When it comes to each step of your plan:
S – is it Specific?
M – is it Measurable?
A – is it Attainable?
R – is it Relevant?
T – is it Timely?
If you can apply the SMART criteria to your goal, congratulations. You now have an actionable plan. And if you follow through with what you’ve decided, you’ll have a clear direction for making your dreams become a reality.
If your goal is to own a business and become your own boss, you owe it to yourself to investigate franchising as a means to achieve it. There are multiple advantages and benefits to buying a franchise, as opposed to starting a business from scratch. Franchises allow you to follow a proven business model to ensure success. And you’ll have the full training and support of your brand and fellow franchisees to help you succeed.
If you’re ready to make an actionable plan for 2021, FranNet of Houston and the Gulf Coast Region can help. We can introduce you to hundreds of franchise concepts that appeal to the type of business you want to run. And together we’ll find a perfect match that meets your lifestyle and long-term business ownership goals.
Click here to connect with me. I’m Diana Trondsen, FranNet Market President, Franchise Consultant serving Houston and the Gulf Coast Region of Texas. To schedule a no-cost, no-obligation appointment, you can call, email or attend one of my upcoming webinars on franchise ownership. Together, we can find a perfect match for the business you were meant to own and operate.