By: O.L./Sway Buckley
It was a total failure when we first married and began using an annual plan.
We didn't get past the first 30 days before we threw it all out the window. We had so many goals and not enough time or strategy to complete them, so instead of tweaking them, we just ignored them.
After a while, it felt too overwhelming to try and get back on track. We didn't even have a clue of where to start. Before we knew it, we were using hope and guessing as a strategy. It was a strategy that wasn't sustainable, though. We found ourselves being more frustrated and reactive rather than hopeful and proactive.
It took a few years of this vicious cycle before we decided to #1: Create more white space (meaning have fewer commitments) and #2: Commit to following our plan, even if it meant pivoting along the way.
We were amazed by what happened next! We started following up on our annual plan each month. It was choppy at first, but we committed to the process. We began with shaving more and more items off or moving them to the following year even! Then we started to get more insight into what time and effort are required to fulfill the next mile-markers.
By the time we reached the end of that year, our original plan looked different from what we had accomplished. But we weren't shocked during the year-end review for the first time and were quite pleased with our effort. Since then, the process has become smoother and almost second nature every year. Today, we can't imagine doing life without our monthly legacy meetings.
To recap, here are some of the transformative benefits of having a monthly marriedpreneur strategy meeting:
- Marriage Maintenance: Every healthy marriage is intentional about being healthy.
- Laser Clarity: When new updates happen, strategy and focus sometimes need to change. Maintaining laser clarity is a process that is informed by the changes to uncontrollable.
- Business Growth: Sustainable growth happens when you 'know the state of your flocks.' You are analyzing the data or what works and what isn't working.
💥BONUS: Celebrate The Baby Steps: acknowledging even the most minor steps in the right direction combats the dips and offers joy for the journey.
These are only a few top benefits of having a May Marriedpreneur Strategic Meeting. If you and/or your spouse are in business and you have yet to have this kind of meeting that brings these benefits, we can help! Join our free Strategic Planning Masterclass for Faith-Based Married Entrepreneurs. Learn more here.
Here's to living purposefully, powerfully, and profitably in sync,
O.L. & Sway
O.L. is a former banker turned real estate consultant and entrepreneur. Sway is a former CEO of a staffing firm she started on her dorm room floor to pay for college. Together they co-own Marriedpreneur Life Consultancy, equipping married entrepreneur couples with high-level systems to scale without strain. They're the co-hosts of The Marriedprenuer Life Podcast, which was praised as one of Wedding Wire's top relationship podcasts. Learn more at MarriedpreneurLife.com.