Think Smart Now + Think Ahead = Big Wins Later 

As the year moves to a close, it’s the right time to stop and think: how do I want to finish this year? What does success look like for me and my company?

This could mean getting better results, sharpening skills, or building a stronger team. No matter what your goal is, two types of thinking will help:

• Thinking about what’s happening right now (critical thinking)
• Thinking ahead to what’s coming next (strategic thinking)

Critical Thinking = Looking at What’s Happening Now

Review the factors in your business: financials, resources, customer service, management. This is where you look at the reality of where you are today and ask:

• What’s going well?
• What’s not working?
• What do the facts say?

Delve into the details to look at the real situation, the full picture, rather than guessing or hoping. Review what's already happened in all the key areas of your organization to understand how all the piece parts come together to create today’s view. This will begin to inform how you can make it better.

Strategic Thinking = Looking Ahead to What’s Next

Now that you have a clear picture of where your organization is today, it’s time to imagine the future and ask:

• Where do I want to go?
• What’s the best way to get there?
• What can I do to prepare before problems pop up?

As in planning a road trip—you look at the map, figure out the best route, examine the condition of your vehicle, and think about what you could possibly need along the way.

The Magic Happens When You Do Both

When you combine what’s real right now with what’s possible in the future, you make smarter decisions. You can fix what’s broken and also build something better. It’s about being realistic and proactive about what you can control, instead of waiting for something to happen and then having to react to that, because you had no plan in place.

Thinking Smart Now And Ahead Can Help In Different Roles

Small Business Owners shouldn’t wait until the end of the year to react – and panic. Planning early helps you stay on track.

• Am I making progress on my goals for the year?
• Are my customers happy?
• Do I have a plan for what comes next?

What Happens If You Don’t Think Ahead?

Without proper planning, you’ll be forced to react to problems as they show up, thereby constantly trying to catch up. But if you take time to face the reality about what’s truly going on and what’s coming next, you move from “just trying to keep up” to actually staying ahead.

Start NOW by asking yourself:

• What have I done this year that I’m proud of?
• What can I do better in the next few months?

Then make a plan and go for it. It can easily sound overwhelming, which is why I partner with small to mid-sized firms and non-profits to make it happen.