Hey everyone, and welcome back to The Good Business Podcast! I’m your host, Illana Burk.

Today, we’re diving into a common challenge faced by solo business owners: the pitfall of creating fantastic plans that hit a dead end because we haven’t considered our capacity to implement them.

Brainstorming is Fun, But What About Follow-Through?

Let’s face it, brainstorming sessions can be a blast. We toss around ideas, get excited, and feel like we’re making real progress. But for many solopreneurs, this is where the process stops. The focus becomes so much on generating ideas that we forget to ask ourselves a crucial question: “How am I actually going to make this happen?”

The Importance of Realistic Planning

Imagine you’re about to embark on a road trip. You’re excited, you’ve got your playlist queued up, and you’re ready to hit the open road. But there’s one key detail you haven’t considered: how much gas is in your tank? Without knowing where to refuel, your amazing road trip could come to a screeching halt much sooner than expected.

The same principle applies to business planning. We can dream up incredible ideas, but if we don’t have the resources (time, energy, budget) to bring them to life, our plans will remain just that – dreams.

Constraint Can Breed Opportunity

Now, I’m not suggesting we throw out all ambition. There’s a certain magic to “plowing ahead” with a big idea, even if it seems impossible. For large companies with vast resources, those seemingly impossible things can become reality.

But for solopreneurs, the key is to be realistic. We need to understand our limitations – the amount of time we can realistically dedicate, the financial resources we have available, and so on. By acknowledging these constraints, we can “right-size” our strategies and set achievable goals.

The Right-Sized Strategy: How to Avoid the Pothole

So, how do we avoid the “soul-crushing pothole” of constant disappointment and missed targets? Here are some key steps:

• Embrace the Uncomfortable: I know, it’s not always fun to confront our limitations. But by taking a hard look at our capacity, we can make informed decisions.
• Choose Your Battles: Not everything needs to be tackled right away. Identify what’s most important and focus your energy there.
• Make Strategic Sacrifices: There will be times when you need to scale back on certain areas to free up resources for your priorities.
• Plan with Open Eyes: Develop strategies that are realistic and achievable given your true capabilities.

The Downside of Ignoring Reality

Skipping this crucial step of considering our capacity can lead to some major problems down the road. Here’s what you might encounter:

• Misalignment with Your Network: Your grand plans might not take into account the needs and expectations of your clients, family, or collaborators.
• Setting Yourself Up to Fail: Creating plans that require unrealistic amounts of time or resources will inevitably lead to disappointment and a cycle of excuses.

Evolution at Your Pace: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Remember, growth is important, but it should be sustainable. There’s no need to burnout trying to reach the moon overnight. Recognize your limitations and build your business at a pace that works for you.

The Takeaway: Fuel Your Rocket Ship for Success

Imagine trying to build a rocket ship to fly to the moon, but you haven’t even checked the fuel tank. That’s essentially what we’re doing when we create elaborate plans without considering our resources.

Take the time to understand your capacity before you start strategizing. By doing so, you’ll set yourself up for success, not disappointment. And hey, if you do have the resources to go to the moon, then by all means, go for it! Just make sure you have a plan that gets you there.

Thanks for joining me on today’s episode! I look forward to seeing you next time.