Creating a Business Plan that Enhances Your Life: A Holistic Planning Approach
- rebeccamwissing
- Mar 10
- 5 min read
In 2018, I was still working full-time when I had the opportunity to take on a consulting project. A client needed support in creating accounting systems and practices, and I jumped at the chance to help. That engagement planted the seed of AnchorPoint Consulting.
After that initial project ended, I continued accepting interesting opportunities—helping small businesses and nonprofits fill gaps in their knowledge. I set up an LLC so a local company could import and share products they felt were of exceptional quality. I worked with nonprofit leaders to free up their time so they could take their organizations to the next level. I supported grant management and developed accounting systems to help organizations operate more smoothly.
I went through this process on my terms, skipping engagements when I was too busy or when they didn’t feel like the right fit. But when I made the decision to run AnchorPoint full-time, I knew I needed to approach business differently. That’s when business planning became my top priority—but not just for the sake of business itself.
I wasn’t building a business simply to have one. I was creating a business to enhance my life and achieve my personal goals. And that’s where the concept of business planning as a holistic approach came into play.
A well-designed business plan shouldn’t sit in a drawer collecting dust. It should be a living, evolving document that you reach for regularly—one that helps you make adjustments, both personally and professionally, to ensure your business serves your life, not the other way around.
If you've ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, you're not alone. But the good news? A holistic business plan can change that. Start by following these five key steps to building a holistic business plan.
Step 1: Align Your Business with Your Personal Vision
A successful business should support your ideal lifestyle, not compete with it. Before diving into financial projections or marketing strategies, take a step back and define your personal vision.
Action Steps:
✅ Define what success looks like for you personally and professionally.
✅ Identify how much time you want to dedicate to work vs. personal life.
✅ Clarify the impact you want your business to have on your clients and community.
Example: If your goal is to have more time with your family, structuring your business with scalable income streams or automated processes will help you achieve that instead of working long hours.
Take Action: Write down your personal vision and check if your current business model aligns with it. If it doesn’t, what changes can you make?
Step 2: Set Business Goals That Truly Matter
Once you define your vision, it’s time to set SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goals help you focus, track progress, and make necessary adjustments to stay on course.
Breaking Down SMART Goals:
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Avoid vague or overly broad statements.
Measurable: Identify key indicators to track your progress.
Achievable: Set a goal that is challenging yet realistic given your resources and time.
Relevant: Ensure the goal aligns with your broader business vision and priorities.
Time-bound: Set a deadline to create urgency and accountability.
Example of a SMART Goal:
❌ “I want to make more money.” → Too vague
✅ “I want to increase my monthly revenue by 20% within the next six months by launching a new service package.” → Specific, measurable, and time-bound
Action Steps:
✅ Write down three SMART business goals, ensuring they align with your vision.
✅ Break down each goal into smaller, actionable steps to make progress manageable.
✅ Assign deadlines and track progress regularly to stay accountable.
Take Action: Set a timeline for your goals and schedule regular check-ins to track progress. If a goal feels too overwhelming, break it down further into weekly or monthly milestones.
Step 3: Build a Financial Plan That Supports Your Lifestyle
Your business should provide financial stability and support your personal goals, not just keep the lights on. A holistic financial plan includes:
✅ Revenue Planning – How much do you need to earn to meet both business and personal expenses?
✅ Pricing Strategy – Are your prices aligned with the value you provide and your financial goals?
✅ Budgeting & Expense Management – Are you keeping personal and business finances separate?
✅ Long-Term Sustainability – Are you building reserves, retirement savings, or creating passive income streams?
Take Action:
Review your current pricing and expenses—are you charging enough to sustain your business and your personal life?
Make a financial plan that ensures stability and growth, not just survival.
Step 4: Structure Your Time for Maximum Impact
Time is your most valuable resource, and without a structured schedule, business owners often find themselves working around the clock. Instead of reacting to daily demands, design a weekly schedule that balances income-generating activities, admin work, and personal time.
Action Steps:
✅ Prioritize high-impact work (client projects, sales, content creation).
✅ Batch tasks (set dedicated days for meetings, content creation, admin work).
✅ Use automation & delegation to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
✅ Block personal time first—protecting your well-being makes you a better business owner.
Example: If you’re spending too much time on administrative tasks, outsourcing bookkeeping or using automation tools could free up hours for higher-value work.
Take Action: Create a weekly schedule that reflects your priorities, and test it for one month. Come back and adjust your weekly schedule then test it again for one month.
Step 5: Plan for Growth and Sustainability
A business that doesn’t evolve becomes a burden rather than a source of freedom. As you plan for long-term success, ask:
Where do I see my business in 1, 3, and 5 years?
What skills or support do I need to reach my next level of growth?
Can I delegate or automate certain tasks to free up time?
Scaling doesn’t always mean growing a bigger business—it could mean working smarter, optimizing systems, or increasing profitability without increasing workload.
Remember:
You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. The key is small, intentional adjustments that move you toward your ideal business and life. Consistent progress over time leads to sustainable growth.
Take Action:
Write down one bold move you’ve been afraid to take in your business and commit to making it happen.
Identify one area where you can delegate or automate and take steps to implement it this month.
Conclusion: Your Business Should Work for You
A holistic business plan goes beyond revenue projections and marketing strategies. It ensures that your business is financially sustainable, aligned with your personal goals, and structured to provide freedom rather than stress.
✅ Align your business with your personal vision
✅ Set clear, meaningful goals
✅ Create a financial plan that supports your lifestyle
✅ Structure your time for efficiency and balance
✅ Plan for long-term success and sustainability
By taking a holistic approach to business planning, you create a venture that not only thrives financially but also enhances your life rather than overwhelming it.
Your Next Step:
Take 10 minutes right now to reflect on your vision, your goals, and one action step you can take this week to bring your business into better alignment with your personal life.
Check in with yourself in a month—what’s working? What still needs tweaking? Your business plan should evolve just like you do.
Are you ready to build a business that truly works for you? Let’s start today! 🚀
Take 10 minutes right now to reflect on your vision, your goals, and one action step you can take this week to bring your business into better alignment with your personal life.
Are you ready to build a business that truly works for you? Let’s start today! 🚀
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