Many business owners start the year with a written list of things they intend to accomplish, yet by year’s end these goals have either been forgotten or left by the wayside, ready to be recycled for the coming year. To achieve your goals, it helps to have a plan, as goals rarely happen on their own.

Here are four simple steps to create a plan to reach your business goals:

1. Start by writing one of your goals, along with its due date, on a sheet of paper.
2. Brainstorm a list of specific activities you can do now that will help you achieve this goal. Whether it’s to increase sales, work fewer hours, upgrade your computer equipment, or refine your target market, what activities will move you that much closer to achieving your goal? Quickly write down as many ideas as you can without censoring or inhibiting your response. Try for quantity and speed as this will help keep your inner critic at bay.
3. From this list, select the most effective activities for you to start doing now.
4. Schedule or block out time to do the most effective activities you identified. Take time to plan your day each and every day. This will increase the likelihood of you accomplishing your goals.

Repeat these four simple steps for each of your business goals. Be consistent with scheduling your time and keeping to your plan. A daily and/or weekly plan, in writing, is one of the most effective business tools you can have and will increase the likelihood of you reaching your goals. It’s the antidote to both procrastination (“I’ll get there someday”) and despair (“I’ll never get there”) and will keep you focused on your goals throughout the year.

With a little effective planning and some creative time management, you’ll be able to look back on this year with pride at accomplishing each of your goals.

This article was co-authored by Donna Feldman and Cindy Rold. Donna and Cindy are The Networking Gurus.