Action Plan vs Business Plan

Is it just me, or does business planning overwhelm you?
I’ve tried doing a traditional plan over the years. One where you:
- Set an income goal
- Figure out your average price point and income
- Use that to calculate the number of sales required
- Break it down to how many referrals to convert to appointments to convert to clients to convert to closings
There’s a lot more that you can track and calculate, but right about now my head starts to spin. And something else happens…
I stop looking at my clients as individuals going through a major life change that I am honored to be a part of. Instead they become part of my business matrix, and I treat them as exactly that – a transaction on the way to my goal. Not how I want to show up.
For the record, I’m not saying this type of in depth business planning is bad. For some, getting this granular feels like a warm blanket of security.
For me, it feels like a straight jacket.
I do MUCH better if I focus on my income goal and build an action plan based on caring and connection.
I don’t focus on average price – it could take me 1 transaction or 20.
I don’t worry about if they are buyer or seller clients – I’m here to help with whatever they need.
I don’t worry when in the year they show up – it could be 2 a month or none one month and 5 the next.
Letting go of these things allows me to be present and connect with my clients, which translates into more people wanting to work with me and more referrals.
So I’ve let go of the phrase Business Plan – because I can only plan so much. I can’t plan exactly how it’s going to go, but I CAN plan the actions that connect me with clients.
And then I do those things consistently.
Hint: Consistency is the key here, not quantity.
One of the most successful parts of my action plan – call 2 people a day. It doesn’t sound like much, but done consistently – it’s powerful.
Feeling a little nervous going into the new year? I’m hosting a new class December 4th:
From Crickets to Closings: Find Clients You Didn’t Know You Have and Start 2025 with Confidence. Let this be the year you relax and enjoy the holidays, knowing that your clients will be there and the sales and income will show up.
No more stressing that – maybe you’ve sold the last house of your career, or feeling overwhelmed January 1st when your income goes back to zero and you don’t have any idea where it’s going to come from.
Best of all it’s FREE. Sign up details will be out soon.
To your success!
Nicole
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