As entrepreneurs, we carry the weight of multiple roles: business owners, partners, mothers, caregivers, and so much more. We often started our businesses because we were seeking fulfillment, flexibility, and financial freedom. We wanted to design our own lives, create wealth for our families, and do work that matters. However, along the way, we may encounter the overwhelming feeling that our goals are just too big, or we’re unsure how to take the next step.
That’s where a well-structured 90-day plan comes into play. A 90-day plan helps bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be by focusing on setting achievable goals and breaking them down into actionable steps. It is a tool that will help you grow your business without the burnout and overwhelm that often come with trying to do everything at once.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the process of creating your 90-day plan, choosing the right goals for right now, and breaking down those big, ambitious dreams into manageable, bite-sized pieces that will move you toward success.
Why a 90-Day Plan?
You might be wondering, “Why 90 days? Why not a year, six months, or just a couple of weeks?” There’s something magical about the 90-day mark. It’s long enough to make significant progress but short enough to stay focused without getting overwhelmed.
A 90-day timeframe allows you to:
- Stay Focused: A longer time horizon, like a year, can lead to procrastination. We’re human, and when we have 12 months to hit a goal, we often don’t act with urgency. Ninety days is short enough to keep your attention sharp but long enough to achieve big things.
- Adapt and Pivot: As entrepreneurs, especially in today’s fast-moving world, we need to remain flexible. A 90-day plan provides an opportunity to assess your progress at regular intervals and adjust your approach without derailing your long-term vision.
- Avoid Overwhelm: We all have long to-do lists, but when you try to tackle everything at once, it’s easy to get paralyzed by the sheer volume. Ninety days allow you to focus on a few key priorities at a time, which helps you maintain momentum without feeling buried under the weight of all your responsibilities.
- Celebrate Wins: The beauty of a 90-day cycle is that you’re able to experience progress and celebrate small wins along the way. This positive reinforcement keeps motivation high and helps you build confidence as you see real results.
Step 1: Setting the Right Goals for Right Now
The first step in creating your 90-day plan is choosing the right goals. As female entrepreneurs, our goals can often feel overwhelming, ranging from increasing revenue to growing a team, launching a product, or improving work-life balance. And while these ambitions are exciting, trying to achieve them all at once can leave you feeling scattered and ineffective.
So, how do you choose the right goals for right now? Start by asking yourself these three questions:
1. What is the most important thing I want to achieve in the next 90 days?
Think about the one thing that would make the biggest impact on your business and personal life. Would it be boosting your revenue by 10%? Building a more effective marketing strategy? Growing your social media following? Or maybe it’s something more personal, like improving your work-life balance.
Take a moment to reflect on the current state of your business. Ask yourself:
- What is holding me back from scaling my business?
- Where do I want to be in 90 days?
- Which area of my life or business feels most out of alignment?
2. What is realistic given my current resources and time?
While big dreams are wonderful, it’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve in 90 days. This means factoring in your current resources (both time and financial), the demands of your personal life, and your support system.
For example, if you’re juggling a business and caring for young children, it may not be feasible to aim for a massive product launch right now. Instead, you might focus on smaller, achievable milestones, like refining your marketing strategy or developing an automated system that will save you time in the long run.
3. What aligns with my long-term vision?
Your 90-day goals should align with your long-term business vision and personal values. Every goal you set should act as a stepping stone toward the bigger picture. If you’re unsure of what your long-term vision is, now is a good time to get clear on it. Ask yourself:
- Where do I want my business to be in five years?
- How do I want my life to look and feel?
- What kind of impact do I want to make?
By aligning your 90-day goals with your long-term vision, you’ll ensure that every action you take is moving you closer to your ultimate destination. It’s important to remember that building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. Small, intentional steps taken over time will add up to big results.
Step 2: Breaking Down Big Goals into Manageable Steps
Now that you’ve chosen your goals, the next challenge is figuring out how to achieve them. It’s easy to feel intimidated by the enormity of your aspirations. But here’s the thing: No matter how big your goals are, you can break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This process will help you avoid overwhelm and make progress one step at a time.
Let’s break down the process into actionable steps:
1. Brainstorm Every Possible Task
Once you’ve identified your 90-day goals, take a blank piece of paper (or open a digital document) and start brainstorming every possible task that will help you achieve those goals. Don’t worry about organizing them just yet—just write everything that comes to mind. These tasks can range from tiny actions like sending an email to larger projects like creating a website.
For example, if your goal is to increase your social media presence, your brainstormed tasks might include:
- Research social media trends
- Audit current social media accounts
- Choose three platforms to focus on
- Batch create content for Instagram
- Schedule Facebook posts for the next month
- Run a paid ad campaign on Pinterest
2. Group Tasks by Category
After you’ve written down all your ideas, start grouping tasks into categories. This helps you see the bigger picture and figure out which areas require the most attention. For example:
- Content Creation: Creating blog posts, social media content, videos, etc.
- Marketing: Planning your marketing strategy, setting up email campaigns, collaborating with influencers, etc.
- Operations: Improving workflows, automating processes, building systems, etc.
- Sales: Outreach to potential clients, creating new offers, sales funnel optimization, etc.
This step is key because it enables you to see which aspects of your business need more focus and attention. It also gives you a clearer understanding of the scope of your project, making it easier to manage.
3. Prioritize the Most Impactful Tasks
Now that you’ve organized your tasks into categories, it’s time to prioritize them. Not all tasks are created equal—some will have a bigger impact on your goals than others. Review your list and identify the tasks that will move the needle the most.
For example, if your goal is to increase your revenue, prioritize the actions that will directly lead to sales or customer acquisition, such as developing a new offer, refining your sales pitch, or launching a promotional campaign.
Ask yourself:
- Which tasks will have the biggest impact on my goals?
- What actions will bring me closer to my desired outcome?
- Are there tasks that I can delegate or outsource?
This will help you zero in on the high-impact tasks that will drive results while avoiding the distractions that can sap your time and energy.
4. Create a Timeline and Milestones
With your prioritized tasks in hand, the next step is to create a timeline. Think of this as a roadmap that guides you from where you are now to where you want to be in 90 days.
Break down your plan into milestones—smaller goals that act as checkpoints along the way. For example, if your goal is to increase your email list by 500 subscribers, your milestones could be:
- Week 1: Create a lead magnet
- Week 2: Set up email opt-in forms on your website
- Week 3: Write a series of automated welcome emails
- Week 4: Launch a paid Facebook ad campaign to promote your lead magnet
Each milestone should be time-bound, specific, and achievable within the timeframe you’ve set. By breaking your big goal into smaller milestones, you can track your progress and stay on course.
5. Schedule Your Tasks
Once you have your milestones in place, it’s time to schedule your tasks. This is where the magic of planning comes in. Block off time in your calendar for each task and treat these appointments with the same level of importance as you would a client meeting.
Batching similar tasks together can also save you time and mental energy. For example, you could dedicate one day each week to content creation and another day to administrative tasks.
It’s important to be realistic when scheduling your tasks. Life happens, and things don’t always go according to plan. Leave some buffer room in your schedule for unexpected disruptions, and be kind to yourself if you don’t get everything done exactly as planned.
6. Track Your Progress and Adjust
Finally, as you work through your 90-day plan, track your progress regularly. This doesn’t need to be complicated—simple check-ins at the end of each week or biweekly will suffice.
Ask yourself:
- Am I on track to meet my milestones?
- Are there any roadblocks or challenges I need to address?
- Do I need to adjust my timeline or approach?
By consistently tracking your progress, you can identify areas where you need to pivot, double down, or make adjustments. If you realize you’re falling behind, don’t panic. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistent progress. Adjust your plan as needed to keep moving forward.
Step 3: Staying Motivated and Accountable
Setting goals and creating a plan is one thing—staying motivated and accountable is another. As female entrepreneurs, we’re often juggling so many different things that it’s easy to let our own goals slip to the bottom of the priority list.
Here are a few strategies to help you stay motivated and accountable as you work through your 90-day plan:
1. Find an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner can be a game-changer for staying on track. Whether it’s a business coach, fellow entrepreneur, or trusted friend, having someone to check in with regularly can help keep you motivated and accountable. Share your 90-day goals with them and schedule regular check-ins to discuss your progress.
2. Celebrate Small Wins
Entrepreneurship is a journey, and it’s important to celebrate your progress along the way. Whenever you hit a milestone or complete a significant task, take a moment to celebrate. Treat yourself to something you enjoy, share your win with your community, or simply take a day off to relax and recharge.
3. Stay Connected to Your “Why”
When the going gets tough, it can be easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. Reconnect with your “why”—the reason you started your business, the freedom you’re striving for, and the impact you want to make. Write it down and keep it somewhere visible as a daily reminder to keep pushing forward.
Your Roadmap to Success
Creating a 90-day plan is one of the most powerful tools you can use to grow your business and move closer to your dreams. By setting the right goals, breaking them down into manageable steps, and staying accountable, you’ll make meaningful progress without the overwhelm.
Remember, it’s not about being perfect or doing everything at once. It’s about being intentional with your time, taking consistent action, and giving yourself grace along the way.
I believe in you and your potential to create the business and life you desire. You’ve got this! Let’s tackle those goals, one step at a time.
FAQ:
1. What is a 90-day business plan and why is it important?
A 90-day business plan is a short-term strategic plan that helps entrepreneurs focus on key goals and actions over a manageable timeframe. It’s important because it allows for focused execution, faster progress, and flexibility in adapting to changes.
2. How do I choose the right business goals for my 90-day plan?
To choose the right goals, consider what will have the biggest impact on your business right now, what’s realistic given your resources, and what aligns with your long-term vision. Prioritize goals that drive growth and solve immediate challenges.
3. How can I break down big business goals into manageable steps?
Start by brainstorming all the tasks that need to be done, then group them into categories. Prioritize the tasks that have the most impact and set milestones. Create a timeline and schedule tasks weekly to ensure consistent progress.
4. How do I stay motivated to achieve my 90-day goals?
To stay motivated, find an accountability partner, celebrate small wins, and reconnect regularly with your “why.” These strategies will help you maintain momentum and stay focused on your goals.
5. What should I do if I don’t meet my 90-day goals?
If you don’t meet your goals, don’t panic. Evaluate what went wrong, make adjustments to your plan, and set more realistic milestones. The key is to stay adaptable and keep moving forward without losing sight of your long-term vision.
