1. You Must Continually Review Training Programs
If
you have ever followed a training program, then you know that you have
to continually review the plan to see what you are supposed to do each
day, week, and month.
Personally,
I find it’s easiest to print the program and hang it on my refrigerator
so that I can quickly see when and what my workout is going to be for
the week. I know if I just stick to the plan, slowly increase my
mileage from 3-mile runs to a 20-mile long run, then I’ll be physically
ready for the marathon.
I
doubt many people reading this have their marketing plan hanging on
their refrigerator. :)
But
if you did have your plan more visible, then you would know what you
need to do each day, week, and month to hit your goals. In other words,
you would stay more focused and ignore distractions that are not
integral to the plan you already set.
That
brings us to the 2nd key benefit of this mindset shift…
2. Training Programs Have Clearly Defined & Attainable
Milestones
When
I was training for my first marathon, I had a real fear that I wasn’t
going to finish. I’m sure just about every first-timer has that same
fear. 26.2 miles sounds impossible unless you’ve done it before.
However,
the beauty of a marathon training program is how it makes each
milestone mentally attainable. Each week progressively increases the
long runs, but only by a mile or two. Therefore, by the time you need
to run 10 miles, which sounds far for most people, you will have
already run an 8 miler. So it’s only 2 more miles, which is mentally
easier to digest.
That’s
the key. If you don’t truly believe you can hit a certain milestone,
then you are not likely to put forth the effort to come close.
This
same concept applies to your marketing plan. Your plan must list
incremental, mentally (aka realistically) attainable, milestones that
lead up to your ultimate goal.
And
there’s one more benefit to this mindset shift…
3. Training Programs Are Created By Experts
Would
you trust a marathon training program that was created by someone who
never ran or coached an athlete to run a marathon?
I
definitely would not.
The
point is, unless you’re trying to break a world record, someone has
already done what you’re trying to achieve. All you need to do is find
and follow that same training program. I’m not implying it’ll be easy.
It’ll certainly be hard, but at least you’ll be following a proven
training program developed by an expert who has achieved what you’re
trying to achieve.
The
same approach should be taken with your marketing plan.
There
are no extra points for creating your plan completely on your own. In
fact, there is no benefit at all to planning without expert advice.
Find
business owners and consultants who have already hit your goals. Then
follow a similar training program. It won’t be easy, but you’ll have
the confidence you’re on the right track!
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