SYS 209: Why I Don’t Make 5-Year Plans and How I Find Business Success Anyway

🎙 In this episode of the Systemize Your Success podcast, Dr. Steve Day addresses the challenges many entrepreneurs face when creating effective long-term business plans. He advocates for flexible business planning, explaining why adapting your strategy can lead to greater success than rigid five-year plans.

 

Responding to a community member's struggle with setting a long-term goal, Steve shares his insights on planning and goal-setting, discussing why he finds committing to fixed long-term strategies challenging. Instead, he focuses on living in the moment and making decisions that align with one's desired future self.

 

Through a mental visualisation exercise, he encourages listeners to envision their future selves and identify the changes needed in their current lives to achieve that vision.

 

Steve highlights the importance of enjoying the journey rather than fixating solely on the destination, ultimately guiding listeners toward a more fulfilling and present-focused entrepreneurial experience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

💡 Personalized Planning Approach: Not everyone thrives on traditional long-term planning. It's important to recognise your strengths and preferences. Find a planning style that works for you, whether flexible or structured.

💡 Visualization Exercise: Engaging in a mental visualisation exercise can help clarify your future aspirations. Imagine meeting your future self and reflecting on what changes have occurred in your life to achieve contentment and fulfilment.

💡 Focus on Present Actions: Instead of focusing solely on long-term goals, consider how your current actions and decisions can align with the person you want to become. This approach emphasises living in the moment while still progressing towards your aspirations.

💡 Reflection on Progress: It's beneficial to reflect on how far you've come rather than just focusing on the distance to your goals. This shift in perspective can enhance your satisfaction and happiness in the present.

💡 Embrace Your Unique Strengths: Acknowledge and lean into your unique abilities, whether they involve problem-solving, adaptability, or creativity. Understanding your superpowers can guide you in building a business that aligns with your strengths and passions.

BEST MOMENTS

00:34 - 💬 “Having any sort of meaningful and effective five-year plan, let alone a ten-year plan, is just beyond the way my brain works.”

02:37 - 💬 “I just want to be honest with that because I don't think that means that you can't still have goals and you can't still be moving towards something.”

09:01 - 💬 “This isn't a dress rehearsal. You've got to love the journey you're on in order to enjoy life.”

10:08 - 💬 “Being able to reflect back on your progress rather than always looking ahead is also a great way to enjoy and be happy and present in the moment.”

TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 Struggling with effective long-term business planning.

06:38 Live presently, prioritise family, adjust time allocation.

07:49 Craft business aligning values, enjoy the journey now.

11:11 Vision guides business decisions toward future goals.

LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE HOST

• .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}