The long and short of it is that… you need both.
Back when I first became a coach, I had a long-game vision that I would be successful in the profession, have my own programs, lead groups, write a book or two, and be a leader for CTI.
My long game was to support myself financially while being fulfilled in my day-to-day work and life.
My short-term plan was to sell my house and buy an apartment house with rental income to cover my mortgage.
I reduced my spending, which included asking my family to sacrifice some of the fun stuff we usually did. I found a part-time job before I quit my full-time job, so I would not have to depend on my coaching income until I built up my business.
The long-game vision has been amazing! I have achieved most of what I imagined when I first started out over 20 years ago.
Some of it happened within a couple of years. I learned how to market and grew my business, got hired by CTI and was fulfilled most days.
Other elements, like writing two books and scaling my business beyond the initial start-up phase, took longer than I had hoped.
BUT the long-game vision kept me on track, even when I went WAY off the track!
I went off track during my divorce, the death of my father, and my move to California.
I had an unexpected derailing due to the economic downturn in 2008 when CTI laid off some leaders and my clients scattered like the wind.
Off track during the pandemic, when I had to close my in-person office and local clients and group work withered away on the vine.
What brought me back on track was to keep pivoting my short-term plan in a way that aligned with the long game.
If I had only focused on the short-term plan, I would have become discouraged and, most likely, given up. More than once, I was tempted!
Despite the setbacks, I kept making progress on the long game. I kept learning through failures and successes what I needed to do to keep my business growing.
I created and recreated short-term plans that included the current circumstances and aligned with the big picture.
I am writing this today because I am in one of those short-term plan phases with my business and selling my home.
I was reminded of how important it is to make a plan. To lay out the steps right now and in the next few months, so I can move forward with confidence and make adjustments as I go.
A long game is a fun and wonderful game to play, but it will only succeed with focus on what is here right now.
Here is my tip on HOW to do this.
Have a short-term plan with action right now and a long game that keeps you inspired and aligned with your life purpose.
It requires being VERY UNCOMFORTABLE!
You can’t predict how long that long game will be, and the inner critic and the outer questioning by well-meaning people can be hard to manage.
To keep the voices of doubt at bay when no evidence has yet been shown that the short-term plan or long game will pan out.
Know in your heart that you are playing the long game and that it takes fortitude, discipline, a support team, and a belief in yourself.
Take some time today to look at your long game. The game that results in the ultimate fulfilling experience of your business and life.
Keep that in your heart and mind as you move forward with your short-term plan, and most of all, I wish you joy on your journey.
Ep. 36 – Kat & Curtis Knecht – Long-Term Vision, Short-Term Action for Coaches
Build a thriving coaching business with a balance of vision and strategy! In this episode, Kat and Curtis Knecht dive into the power of long-term goals and flexible short-term planning to stay focused, adapt to challenges, and create lasting success.
