Are You Following Your 2024 Business Plan?

I hope your weekend is going well and you're feeling productive! Since it’s October, I’m sure you’ve been following your 2024 business plan to a T, right? Oh, and speaking of business plans, that’s actually what my note is about today. (Nice segue, huh?)

A few years ago, I heard a great talk from a talented team leader—shoutout to you, MD, if you’re reading this—about planning ahead. You know the whole "we reap what we sow" philosophy? It really stuck with me. What we do today impacts our business 90 days from now. That’s why business planning for 2025 starts this month!

Why a Business Plan Matters

The first time I was asked to create a business plan—what feels like five lifetimes ago—I didn’t see the point. I knew I was going to work hard and help as many families as I could, so why bother writing it down? What difference would it make?

I hadn’t yet learned the value of “what gets written down gets done.” But, thanks to a mentor (props to you, RR!), I was forced to create one. Looking back, I see that a well-thought-out, adaptable plan—when followed consistently—makes all the difference. (Confession: I’m still working on the consistency part!)

Key Business Planning Tips

There are tons of ways to format a business plan, but the key is to make it easy to follow and revisit it regularly. Here’s what works for me:

1. Analyze Your Past Numbers Review the last two years of your business, accounting for any anomalies (hello, COVID). Keep track of your referrals, families helped, referral sources, time from referral to closing, and marketing spend. This gives you a clear picture of what worked and what didn’t. It’ll help you decide which marketing strategies to drop, keep, or revamp in 2025.
2. Take Your Time Don’t rush the process. Spend a few days or even a week working on your plan. Step away from the daily grind, put all your focus on it, and let your ideas marinate. Draft it, set it aside, and then come back for a fresh look before finalizing.
3. Get Input from Your Team Don’t plan in a vacuum. Talk to your manager, assistant, coordinator, partner—even me if you want! Ask them what they see as your strengths and how you can boost production. You’re part of a team, so involve them in your vision.
4. Push Yourself If 2024 didn’t meet your goals (spoiler: it wasn’t the market’s fault), it’s time to challenge yourself. Step out of your comfort zone. Consider hiring a coach or finding an accountability partner to keep you on track. Don’t wait to invest in yourself—you’re worth it now.
5. Review and Revise Regularly This is where I need improvement too. Reviewing your plan monthly or quarterly helps you stay aligned with your goals. Schedule a 30-minute “Review and Revise” session with yourself each month. Look at the past month’s referrals, closings, and activity to ensure you're on track. Adjust your next steps as needed to stay on course.

The Power of Writing Down Goals

I’ve seen some pretty compelling stats about the importance of goal setting. In a study of Harvard MBA graduates, here’s what they found:

• 84% had no specific goals.
• 13% had goals but didn’t write them down.
• 3% had clear, written goals and a plan to achieve them.

Ten years later, the 13% with goals were earning twice as much as the 84% with none. But here’s the kicker—the 3% who had written goals? They were earning 10 times as much as the other 97% combined. Imagine what it would mean for you and your family if you increased your 2025 income tenfold!

Let’s Crush 2025 Together

Thanks for reading! And as always, if you're working, so am I. I'm available today and all weekend if you need anything. Don’t forget about my upfront COMMITMENT letter—it really helps in this competitive market, especially when we can close in less than two weeks!

P.S. If you hear a friend, family member, or coworker mention they need mortgage help or education, please don’t keep me a secret!

#BusinessPlanning#GoalSetting#Entrepreneurship#SuccessMindset#Leadership#Productivity#BusinessGrowth#2025Goals#FinancialFreedom#MortgageTips#WorkSmarter#mortgage