Do you know what worked in your law firm this year and what didn’t? Have you set your goals for the year – or even next quarter? Do you have a plan for reaching those goals?

Having a plan helps you prioritize, focus, and manage your resources. It helps keep you on track and avoid getting distracted by “Bright Shiny Object Syndrome.”

A basic plan will include four elements:

1. Current assessment and evaluation

2. Vision and goals

3. Strategy and action plan

4. Periodic review

The current assessment takes stock of where you are now; where have you been successful, and where is there room for improvement? Should you continue to do what you have been doing or do something different?

Next, you’ll set the vision you want for your future and establish the goals you want to achieve. Think about both short- and long-term goals, using the SMART goals framework.

Once you have your goals in place, the next step is to figure out how you are going to get there. That’s where your strategy and action plan comes in. Again, you will want to think about both short- and long-term steps you will need to take to reach your goals.

Finally, every good plan includes a periodic review to assess how well you are meeting your goals and targets, and to course-correct, if necessary.

If you want more detail about how to go about this planning process, download my Planning Guide for Law Firms. Or pick up a copy of the second edition of How to Do More in Less Time: The Complete Guide to Increasing Your Productivity and Improving Your Bottom Line.

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• Do You Have Plans and Goals for the Future?