Somehow, 2016 has managed to fly by and we’ve already entered the fourth quarter of the year. That means it’s time to start thinking about goals and strategies for next year, so 2017 planning doesn’t get in the way of enjoying the holiday seasons. For brokers and agents alike, we’ve gathered the below tips for preparing yourself and your teams for another 365 days of success.
- Be realistic. While it’s great to have one or two more lofty goals with which to challenge yourself, be realistic about the rest of your plan. Err on the more conservative side when it comes to finances and make sure you understand what’s doable for yourself and your team with regards to time and resources.
- Think short- and long-term. By nature, your 2017 plan will have a long-term vision, but there are many more immediate factors that will affect how the plan ultimately plays out. Create short-term goals or milestones to keep yourself on-track, and use those time frames to pause and re-evaluate. Pivot your strategy if needed, but be sure to clearly outline updated goals so everyone is on the same page.
- Infuse visuals and creativity. Don’t let planning become a boring process. If you start now, you’ll have the time to shake things up. Include visuals to help bring the vision to life – these will also be nice snapshots for you to refer back to throughout the year. Stay creative by hosting team brainstorms or talking with mentors – outside perspectives will push you beyond your typical thinking, and from a team perspective, people will appreciate being involved in the process.
What other tactics do you employ when planning? Tell us in the comments below!
