Mapping Out Your Future

It’s Personal

By Jeffrey Hansler, CSP

Corporate plans for the future have been created as everything from thick and well-defined business plans to scratchings on a napkin.  Successful plans fit the beliefs of the founders.  Similarly, the key to developing a successful personal career or business plan is to develop something that works for YOU at this point in your life.

The first lesson in building plans is to create a guiding philosophy.  Corporations that are able to create a philosophy that agrees with the internal desires of the founders succeed where others fail.  Implementing a plan is a long-term process that will require a full-time commitment.  Such commitment can only exist if it agrees with your beliefs and internal desires.

Successful companies work to maintain their philosophy.  A company dedicated to quality does not reduce quality standards when faced with a cash flow problem.  Successful companies find ways to deliver on their internal promise.  Likewise, sticking with your personal philosophy during times of stress is critical to your future success.

Companies that operate with consistency in their philosophy do well, until the market changes.  Although, you may deliver on your promises time and time again, the world around you does not stand still.  What was once superior service may now be only average service.

The second lesson in building plans is the realization that the implementation of a philosophy is a changing process.  Yesterday's plan may alter tomorrow, because the world has changed its expectations.  The implementation of a philosophy should change when the plan implementation no longer works for the group implementing it.  If you can adapt your personal plans, without shifting from your philosophy, you will succeed and grow.

To regain success, learn the new rules the world is operating on then ask yourself, "How would the successful implementation of my plans look under these rules?  Is this implementation true to my philosophy?”  The answer to these questions will regain success for you.

#  #  #  #  # 

Jeffrey Hansler is a professional speaker, author, and consultant. He is a frequent speaker at association events and is the author of Sell Little Red Hen! Sell! He can be reached at jhansler@oxfordco.com.

Click here for a .pdf version of this page  

Click here to access our article request form to secure permission to use or reprint this article

© 2004 Jeffrey Hansler  All rights reserved