Step 1 - Vision and Goals

The first step in any business is to define the vision. What is the big plan. This means knowing and writing down the answers to the following questions:

• What will achieving this plan contribute to my life?
• Why do I want those things?
• How will it fit into the other parts of my life: relationships, personal goals etc?

Tools & Templates

A good mind mapping tool [Free Trial]

Step 2 - Create Action Plan

Until you can break down your goals into actionable items, it is just a dream. You may have to do this in two steps. First create a high level action plan with key milestone dates; then break down each section into items that can be completed as a single task. MS Excel is greate for this.

Tools & Templates

Use this template or design your own
You may prefer to use Project Management Software

Step 3 - Commit Actions to Diary

This starts making it real. You need to find time in your life and dedicate this time to your action plan. This may take some negotation with other people in your life and other commitments such as a job, sports etc.

Step 4 - Secure Resources

For each action, there may be resources you need. Get these organised at the beginning of each phase so there are no excuses to not complete the action. This may require some budgeting. Resources include: computer, internet connection, webhost, software, education, whiteboards etc

Step 5 - Work the Action Plan

Your commitment doesn't really start until you complete your first action. From there its just a matter of following your plan. You will find that you have missed steps, or certain timings are not correct. This is quite normal. At this stage you "don't know what you don't know" so accept that the plan is just that - a plan. Revise it and note timings. The great thing is that next time around, you will have been through the learning curve and things will be much easier.

NEXT STEP:  UNDERSTANDING YOUR INTERNET BUSINESS COMPONENTS

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