Plan for greatness

February is upon us – just about the time people tend to break their well-intended New Year’s resolutions.

“Maybe next year,” they tell themselves, as they fall back into their old routine. Nothing could be worse for your business. Ask yourself, do you want to be average, do you want to be just as good as you were last year, or do you want to be great and exceed even your own goals and expectations?

If you want greatness, get yourself there with a plan. My worst fear is to play this game we call “business,” devote the best years of my life to it, and wind up mired in mediocrity throughout. Mediocrity is for those that do not plan ahead. Greatness rests with the forward-thinking strategists who always have an operating plan.

People are rarely successful by accident. One of the greatest athletes of our time is a perfect example. Muhammad Ali was a fabulous champion in the sport of boxing – but there were certainly opponents with equal or better athletic ability. What set him apart was the game plan he brought to each match. Ali studied each opponent and devised a brilliant strategy to exploit his opponent’s weaknesses and highlight his own strengths.

What boxing fan could forget the Rumble in the Jungle – Ali vs. Foreman? Foreman was younger, stronger and seemingly unbeatable. Ali knew this, so he developed and implemented a strategy that allowed him to win the match.

What is your game plan for 2007? Take the time to sit down and define what exactly it is you want to accomplish. Once you do that, work backwards – what do you need to do this year to get you where you want to be? Create a plan of attack. Set your goals for the year, the month, or even the week or day. Identify the necessary steps you need to take to reach your goals.