Let’s face it. You hate budgeting, I hate budgeting.
What it comes down to, I guess, is… no-one likes budgeting.
But here we are, oh-so-early in a brand new year.
With twelve months ahead of us, and the following question just hanging there…
What, exactly, are we going to accomplish this year?
No, not the B word
Well, in a prior post, I gave you one suggestion—the one about debt.
And if you tackle that task (and only that task) I will applaud you.
But, if you’re game for another test.
If you’d like to—kinda—up the ante.
Then let me throw this at you.
It’s a financial target. A hard and fast number.
No, no! Please don’t turn away.
Because, what I’m suggesting isn’t about budgeting.
Really, it’s not.
The number
It’s more—sort of—like a target. A target consisting of one number.
That’s it. Honest. Just one number.
Still there?
Great!
OK then, here goes.
What I’d like you to do is this. Grab a quiet seat. Churn up a few (and only a few) brain cells and think about your business. Think about the coming year and think, too, about what’s possible, what’s achievable, and what’s very desirable.
Now write down a number. Only one number.
What that number represents is your revenue—your sales target—for the year.
Write it down so you see it every day.
Guess what
Then, next December, take your actual sales, and compare it to that number.
What you might find is you hit your target.
Yep. You may find exactly that.
I know, for some, it sounds fanciful.
But you know what?
It works.
I know it does. I know it from experience—both my own and those I have recommended this little tactic to.
Now some might want to get into all kinds of philosophical theories (about self actualization, and autopoiesis, and maybe, even, attraction) about why it works.
But you don’t need to know all that. In fact, I’ll spare you all that.
A simple plan
Because, at it’s simplest, what I’m talking about is a plan. What I’m also talking about is most people (business owners, professionals, managers) never find time to plan.
Why not?
Because most people view a plan as complex, time-consuming… and as something involving budgets (yechh).
That’s why I’m recommending my one-number plan—my simple plan (hey wasn’t that an 80s rock band?).
And believe me, a simple plan is way better—infinitely better—than no plan at all.
Fiddle-free
Because, the fact is… everyone needs a target. One that’s simple and quantifiable, and one that (unlike, at times, budgeting) is un-fudge-able.
And so… there you go. Budgeting isn’t your thing, we know that (hell, is it anyone’s thing?).
With that in mind, just aim at a target—aim for that one magic number.
OK?
Great!
Now go for it. And remember, in December, to let me know…
Whether you got a bulls-eye.
What do you think? Is it important to have one number, one target to aim for? And, if you’re not self-employed, should you also have one financial target? An amount to salt away for a rainy day, maybe? Let me know by leaving a comment.
