By Linda Feinholz

Normally we act. Action is good. But not always. Action with no planning usually means you spend 60 percent of your time off course, off topic, off tack to the goals you say you want to achieve. All for lack of any time spent in 'planning.'

Many of my business clients don't even attempt to plan because they think 'planning' means 20-30-40 hours of blocked out time diverted from "getting business done."

Planning is crucial to actually getting your goals accomplished.

• Without planning, there is no chance to notice the amazing new opportunities just out of the line of sight of our everyday attention.

• Without planning there is no potential for creating breakthrough results instead of incremental shifts.

• Without planning there is no linking our dreams with our actions.

Frankly, I know I cannot change everyone's perception of the value of 'planning' in one conversation. So I've designed simple, incremental, High Payoff techniques that get planning done.

"Done" so we can get back to Marketing. "Done" so we can get back to delivering our services. "Done" so we can get back to building long-term relationships with the people who make our business a success.

Or something else altogether.

"Done" so we'll be willing to put 30 more minutes into it the next time around.

So today's planning steps are the launch to your simple planning.

Just sit comfortably, with a piece of paper or your key board in hand.

Away from your distractions. That means no phone, no computer, no email, no conversation.

Look at your clock and write down the time. Right Now.

Now answer the following 5 questions:

1.    What were the last goals I remember setting for my business?
Don't go looking for notes. Just stay right here, with your attention focused on the question. In silence. In reflection. Write down the answers that come to you.

2.    How do I feel about the results I've achieved?
Are you satisfied? By what, exactly? Are you dissatisfied? By what, exactly? That's all.

3.    What would satisfy me 12 months from now?
Be to the point. Be specific. Answer what you would want to create as a result that is observable. That you'd know when you see it and experience it.

4.    What would be even better?
If you could create an even better result, what would it look like? Is it 'bigger?' "faster?" "easier?" "quicker?" Is is more clients? Fewer clients and more revenue? More markets served? A more targeted niche? Clearer branding? Shorter turn around time?

5.    What 3 activities will you take to achieve "better?"
Name the three steps you'll take that will move you forward every single week to that result.

Now look at your clock. How long did that take?

You can use this technique to reflect on anything that is important to you. Your business. Your family. Your life. Just go back to the first question and reword it to change your focus to a new topic.

© 2008 Linda Feinholz  Management expert, consultant, and coach Linda Feinholz is "Your High Payoff Catalyst" If you're ready to focus on your High Payoff activities, boost your professional and personal results and have more fun, get her FREE audio mini-course "7 Quick & Simple Steps to Increase Your Focus, Ease Your Effort & Accelerate Your Results" and the free weekly newsletter The Spark! Visit http://www.YourHighPayoffCatalyst.com