Dream and then plan to achieve it

One of the hardest jobs for many entrepreneurs is to write a business plan. But a good entrepreneur knows a good business plan wins 50% of the battle even before it begins. Dreaming about what you want to do, what you want to be, is the first step and the most important step, but charting out a map to get there is the second step to become successful.

A "business plan" is a plan to get to your target. It is a description of what you are planning to do to win. It is true that you can't always reflect what you have in your mind onto a paper. However, if you are not able to write a business plan, you can't build an organization or a company. You can still be successful as an individual, but effectively communicating the plan to get to your objectives can enable you to build a successful organization, a successful company.

I view many successful actors, politicians, artists etc. as successful individual entrepreneurs. Amitabh Bachan wouldn't have written business plan, but I am sure he had his plan charted out pretty well. Whereas, Vinod Khosla, when he started SUN, had an excellent business plan (described as one of the best business plans by John Doer). Both are successful in their own right.

In my experience, writing a business plan which communicates your path to win is essential to build a great company. It is also true that you probably don't end up doing what you planned. However, as the Chinese proverb says, if don't have a plan, you can't deviate from it.

Whether you want to be successful individually or want to build a great organization, one must have a plan to win. But if you want to build a great organization, you must communicate the same by putting it in writing. You never know someone would always guide you through uncharted territories. And yes, the moment you are committed, providence changes too!

Entrepreneur and commitment

The following passage occurs near the beginning of Murray's The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951):... Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it! "

This is precisely what an entrepreneur needs - dreaming is the first step. Beginning your journey towards your dreams is the second step. Figuring out your way is the beginning of third step.

Once you commit yourself to the journey, providence changes. If you are committed, let us explore the third step a little in our discussions next.