Metamorphosis Consulting, Inc.

Management Consulting Firm

2016 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: 12 Principles of Business Success Rule #9 Put It in Writing

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2016 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

12 Principles of Business Success:
Rule #9 Put It in Writing

Rule #9 super charges every other rule.  Simply stated, “if it isn’t in writing, then it doesn’t exist.”   There are numerous reasons why this rule is so critical.

  1. Measurement or Tracking – once a goal has been established, by tracking your performance against the goal, you can determine if the goal was realistic and the progress you’re making to achieve the goal.
  2. Accountability – your goals aren’t it writing and you don’t document your performance, it’s easy to rationalize failure. When you’re tracking your results, you can no longer rationalize why you did what you did.  You’re forced to be accountable.
  3. Commitment – think about it, you never really commit to something that isn’t in writing because there’s usually no proof to what the goal was or what actions were taken.
  4. Motivation – when goals are put in writing you become obligated to achieve them. By documenting your goals, you stimulate action and the act of writing becomes the first step towards achieving that goal.
  5. Clarity – documenting your performance allows you to think more clearly by identifying what’s working and what isn’t working. When obstacles are documented, the answers or solutions become much clearer.
  6. Visualization – written documentation also allows you to see the goal
  7. Compatibility – by writing your goals down, it’s much easier to determine if one goal is compatible with others. This also works when your performance is tracked in writing.  If the results aren’t compatible with the goal, the strategy can be modified multiple times or until the goal is achieved.
  8. Displacement – written goals also displace negative thoughts. Fear of failure is a powerful motivator and one of the key reasons why people don’t take action. By documenting a goal, you’re forced to confront this fear and overcome it.

What should be in writing:

  • your business plan
  • your personal life plan (FORBES)
  • your performance
  • relationship management strategies
  • daily/weekly tracking
  • buyer/seller strategies