Have you ever tried to follow a recipe without measuring cups, measuring spoons, or a bowl? Not only would it be difficult to do, but every time you made it again, it would be different. However, if you had the recipe, all the ingredients, and any equipment that you needed sitting on the counter in front of you before you began, making and then recreating the outcome again and again would be much easier.
The same goes for building your business. If you don’t have the right tools, or you have the tools but don’t use them, you will keep getting varying results...and probably not the ones you want.
Without the right tools, all the action in the world won't get you consistent outcomes; your results will be all over the place. Without action, having the most up to date and expensive tools sitting on the shelf or on your computer means nothing (other than the expense of having a lot of tools you’re paying for that you aren’t using).
Being successful is all about having the right tools and using them to get you where you want to go. When you do this, you can create the same result time after time, just like a delicious recipe.
There are three basic tools that any entrepreneur needs in order to be organized and effective.
1. A Planner
Whether you use a paper planner (which I recommend) a digital planner, or a combination of both (which I do), it should be the first thing you look at every morning.
Like many of you, I have used dozens of different planners throughout my professional career in order to find the one that was perfect for me. What I learned was that your daily planner must align with your philosophies and what’s important to you. For example, my planner is aligned with my Four Pillars of Success, which are Focus, Commitment, Consistency and Organization.
I find that using a digital calendar alone can lend itself to begin reactive in your business, whereas a paper planner allows you to be proactive in your business. I use both on a regular basis (keep an eye out for my upcoming article on how to do that successfully). Until then, if you’re looking for a business system, especially if you are in a sales-driven business, here’s the 2021 planner for direct sellers that I created based on all that I’ve learned over the years.
2. A Content Calendar
Showing-up via social media is a necessity today as part of your marketing plan. It’s a huge opportunity to increase your business, and to be seen as a go-to in your field.
While there are many ways you can do that effectively, keeping track of what you are putting out there is important. That’s why having a content calendar to help organize your posts is a must.
Whether it is content you create, content that others create that you feel is worth sharing, or times when you are going to “go live,” knowing what you are going to do before you do it will save you time and lessen your stress and frustration.
3. A Plan of Action
Benjamin Franklin famously said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”
A plan of action keeps you focused on your goals. It includes several facets; your overall business strategy is your yearly plan, which should include monthly benchmarks; your Power Hour™, which is focusing on your four income producing activities, is your weekly focus (minimum three times per week); and your daily activities should include a list of the things to do to help you reach your weekly, monthly, and yearly goals.
Having these things ready before you begin will keep you in a proactive, forward motion.
These three tools help you to know where you are, know where you’re going, and know what you need to do next to get there. They will keep you organized, focused, and effective all year long.
If you haven't grabbed it yet, see a sneak peak video of our own planner made exclusively for direct sellers:
=> your 2021 planner for direct sellers click here
