It is easy when you are running a dance studio to get so caught up in what you are doing day to day that you forget to look at the big picture. We can get so involved in the everyday grind that we lose focus on what is important to us and what plans we are working on to make our dreams come true. We will spend a lot of money and hours working on routines, choosing costumes and rehearsing. Yet if you ask yourself what your ultimate goal is and you do not have a clear answer or you find yourself thinking that you just want to get through the year, it could very well be that you have not made a solid plan.
A plan to succeed is not an accident. It takes thought, action and the discipline to stay with it. A plan must be developed and altered from time to time depending on circumstances. The plans you make will help you achieve the goals you set for yourself. Goals are just dreams without an action plan. Many people recommend that you write down your goals. While I totally agree with this I also say to take it one step further. Write down the plans and, more importantly, the steps you intend to take to achieve your goals. If you do not have a clear cut plan on how you will get to where you want to go your goals will only be something you wish would come true. It truly is amazing how many goals we have been able to see become a reality by having a clear, concise action plan. The plans you make will more important than the goals. Even more important will be the action you put behind those plans! Some goals will be met, some will exceed your expectations and some may not happen in the time frame you are hoping for. As long as you continue your action plan then nothing will stop you from achieving what you set out to do.
Once we set our goals and put the action plan in motion it becomes a powerful force that will propel you forward. If you keep the action plan active, then what is going to stop you? Dreams turn into Goals + A Non Stop Action Plan becomes Reality! Here are two ideas on how you could develop your action plan. We have used this formula and have found that it works for both our business and on a personal level. Since our business is an extension of us we need to align both of these or your ying and yang will be out of whack!
A. Create a Two Part Mission Statement. If you do not have one for your business develop one as soon as possible. This mission statement will describe what you want your business to be, your vision and how it will impact your customers. Let your staff and faculty see it so that they understand what it is you want the business to be. Once you have done that now create a personal mission statement for what you want the business to do for you. This is private and only needs to be shared with your family or very close friends. It is very important because you will be able to make all your decisions based on the principle of this personal mission statement. This may seem a bit selfish but if your business does not serve you then why are you going through the trouble of having a studio in the first place? You want your business to be more than just a hobby or worse, a job!
B. Create Goals and Action Plans. Once you have your mission statements set up you can then start to focus on your goals and the plans you will make to achieve those goals. Make both business and personal ones. I have found that the best way to do it is make a list of goals on the right side of a piece of paper. Leave room in between each one. On the left hand side of the paper write down the action you intend to take to help you reach your goals. Now set a time frame in which these goals will be achieved. A tighter time frame is best as it will make you work at your action plan with a bit more urgency.
Dance teachers are great at creating lesson plans for class and choreographing routines so developing a plan like this will be a natural extension to what you do best. Just make sure that you put action behind your plan! Create Your Action Plan Now write down your goals. Decide what action you can take that would help you meet your goals in the next 30 days, six months, or one year. Don't let your goals fall by the wayside.
