The Five Year Plan!

Okay, now that we’ve determined that we are going to do this, we are going to do this right! I’m starting by planning. Yes, that ever so popular word for those who are more organized than a filing cabinet. I’ve never been good at planning or organizing (just look at my bedroom), but if I’m going to do this right, then I’m going to have to do this right or not do it at all!

Let’s start with a five year plan. I’ve often heard it in my business classes, but never really thought about creating my own.

Most the time, when someone mentions a five year plan, they also include the idea of selling their business, as if that is part and parcel to the whole five year plan concept. But what if I don’t want to sell my business (at least not until I’m ready to do so – and not at a predetermined time)? Simple – 1) replace that notion with some other goal (like grossing 1 million), or 2) forget about some big something at the end of those five years. The point is get a five year plan, no matter what you put at the end of those five years (of course it works best if you do have a big goal, at least put some big reward like a cruise or something and what goal(s) you want to achieve during those years like keep the house clean).

So, what about my five year plan? My goal at the end of these five years is to build my Mom’s dream house. Why my Mother’s and not mine? Simple: 1) I love her (duh), and 2) she’s better at planning and building houses than I am and she wants to make this really cool envelope style house that will virtually eliminate utility bills and uncomfortable summers and winters (I’ll have to tell you more about it as things progress) that I might like to build for myself one day too.

Note: I keep saying five year plan, but it doesn’t have to be five years. That’s just a good number that most people use (plus it’s my favorite number). I’m just using it because my Mom will then be over 60 and she fears that if she doesn’t have her dream house by then, she never will.

Next step: break down the five years into steps towards your main goal. Since we need to raise a whole bunch of money in order to do this (to pay off their current mortgage and to pay for the new house – without taking out another loan) I’ve decided that perhaps the best way is to start a business (or work with what I have).

So here’s what I have so far:
Year 1: Planning & Learning – decide what I’m going to do and how I’m going to do it. Yes this will take a whole year simply because there are so many things I need to learn and decide.
Year 2: Implementation – start the business (or work with what I have). Of course this will include beginning to grow the business and save up money for the house.
Year 3: Grow – here I’ll be growing my business. This will help the revenue come in faster.
Year 4: Saving – I’m just going to be saving up my pennies here. There won’t be much growth in the business.
Year 5: Preparation – yes, another preparation year. This is for preparing for the house. Basically preparing the lot, finishing the building plans, getting permits, etc.
Finished: Building the House! – and my Mom will get her dream house.

Next time… Breaking down the years.

“My Wings are My Dreams & On Towards the Sky!”

I enjoy anime (but only the clean ones, no violence, nudity, etc.). Recently my friends introduced me to Kaleido Star. It’s about a young girl who fights anything and everything with such incredible vigor to fulfill her dream of becoming a star in a large production circus troupe (circus as in tight rope, trapeze, etc. not animals). This including terrible schedules and back breaking practice to do the impossible. She’s also rather a klutz, a loud mouth who always states her mind, and is always getting into trouble

Sometimes I feel like her. I’m the klutz who is always messing up. I’m the one with the big dreams trying to go after the impossible. Except there is one difference – I’m not brave at all. Sure, sometimes I’m a loud mouth too, but that’s only because I’m a shy mouse who won’t get it out unless I yell it out sometimes.

I’m always supposedly trying and then falling on my face, and then giving up. That’s why I’m writing this blog. I’m going to find my voice someday. I’m going to be brave too someday and keep getting back up. I’m going to fulfill my impossible dreams someday. That’s why I’m writing this blog. To share my journey, and one day it will be a complete story with a happy ending. I will become a successful entrepreneur.

Finding Time

Is it just my imagination, or are my last few posts a bit negative? And this one may be as well. I’m talking about time today, and the lack thereof.

Basically entrepreneurship takes a lot of time, especially if you keep your day job like everyone including myself suggests. Then there are those with households, those who are mothers, those going to school, and basically anyone who is wearing multiple hats. I’m still in shock over hearing about women who would be mothers (sometimes single mothers), working full-time, going to school full-time, plus they wanted to start their own businesses. If they can do it then I’m proud of them, but at the same time I could always watch their candles burn at both ends.

In the latest new Superman movie (which I didn’t care for in case you are wondering) Lux Luther (or however you spell his name) basically said that land is a rare commodity since we can’t make more of it. I beg to differ. Just throw a bunch of rocks out into some body of water and before long you have your own island, and who wouldn’t want to own their own island?

Time on the other hand can’t be made. If you want more time you simply hire someone else who has more time. Basically you are buying their time.

So, how do crazy women who do everything under the sun do it? Good question. First of all I think it’s a lack of priorities and organization, but that’s an argument for another day. Beyond that I think it’s just plain determination. It’s determination to make it in this world. It’s determination to see their dreams a reality. It’s determination to not be swallowed up by everything. It’s determination to take care of their duties while taking care of everything else too.

And so I’ve begun to see the effects of determination work in my own life. I’m tired of failing. I’m tired of seeing unfinished projects and unfinished dreams. Slowly but surely this determination is finding root and growing within me, so watch out world cause here I come! (I just hope I can keep at least one end of my candle intact.)