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MIND THE GAP

One of the biggest mistakes a solopreneur, independent, or start-up can make is not planning.

Make no mistake, poor planning can lead to wasted time, money, and energy. It makes it easy to get distracted and can widen the gap between an idea and execution.

This is the primary reason for the strategy-to-execution gap.

CLOSE THE GAP

Having a plan will help you prioritize your resources and work. It will also make it easy to know what to say yes to and keep you on track.

Best practice is to start this process before the end of the prior year. But so what if you didn’t? Starting at the beginning of the year works too.

For solopreneurs and side hustlers

Annual planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Keep it simple. Focus on what will yield the most results, such as growing your email list, improving your product, or carving out more time to develop your craft further.

For startups and midsize companies

Take a collaborative approach. Engage your team early and often in the planning process. Your job is to ensure alignment and keep the focus on what truly matters.

By the end of this edition, friend, you will not only understand the importance of annual planning but also how to get started, measure your progress, and find helpful resources, including some of my favorite swipe files and templates.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

• Why annual planning matters

• Clarify your vision

• Prioritize effectively

• Allocate resources wisely

• Plan and execute

• Measure your success

• Annual planning checklist, swipe files, and resources

• Generate ideas

• Mindset shift

• Online communities

• TL;DR

• Before you go

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