Creating Your Personal Strategic Plan
- Jan 14, 2016
- 2 min read
New Year’s Resolutions. You either love them or you hate them.
I, myself, love them.
For as long as I can remember, I have been creating strategic plans for myself as New Year’s Resolutions. I was doing this before I even knew what a strategic plan was.
When I got to strategic planning in grad school, I was able to fine-tune my process, and I was excited to give my annual practice a little more credibility.
Every year around this time, I get eager to review my previous strategic plans and design my goals for the upcoming year, because, while it may sound unbelievable, I have reached 96-98% of the goals or “resolutions” I have created for myself by doing this process.
In 2011, I set a goal to move into a bigger house. In 2014, we purchased a new home with a big, beautiful back yard.
In 2012, I set a goal to go to grad school. In 2014, I walked across the stage and received my Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
In 2013, I set a goal to lose the baby weight that I had gained when pregnant with my daughter. As of November 2015, I am back down to my fighting weight.
The first step
The first step in creating an annual strategic plan is to brainstorm.
Think of all the things you like and type or write them in the first column. Second, think of actions for each interest. You may start to see some of your interests overlap.
For example, one way for me to spend more time with my family and friends would be to schedule regular game nights. This is good, because you only want to choose three to four strategic initiatives each year.
The second step
Your next step is to choose your top three or four strategic initiatives. As I mentioned above, look for areas that overlap. Try to identify the themes that are repeated throughout your brainstorm.
I’ve included my 2016 strategic plan as an example below.
Notice, although I make a new strategic plan every year, I set my goals out for two years. This is my way of allowing for continual self-improvement and reflection.
It doesn't end ....
Your strategic plan should be reviewed regularly throughout the year. Do not be afraid to adjust items when necessary.
You will be so grateful that you took the time to plan for yourself!
Comments