Conquer Chaos: Making the Shift to Proactive Business Planning
You can run your business in one of two ways:
Reactive mode is when you "go with the flow,” When you don’t have a plan, you react to what comes your way and deal with it when it does.
Proactive mode is when you take the time to consider what you want, lay out a plan, and prepare as much as possible for each step that is coming your way.
We all start our businesses in reactive mode – it’s just a natural part of starting a business.
When you are in start-up mode, it is all about experimentation and proving your business model. You have an idea of what you want to offer and who you want to work with, and you try lots of different things to see what works.
This stage requires you to be a bit reactive –to respond to the feedback you receive so you can figure out the right business model and shift into growth mode.
Once you have proven your business model – people are buying what you’re selling – then you shift into growth mode, where the focus is to build on that foundation.
Proactive mode is where the real magic happens. Instead of scrambling to react, you decide what you want and lay out a plan to make it happen. You're the conductor, orchestrating every move with purpose and intention.
Not making that shift is what causes so many entrepreneurs to struggle in their growth phase. They're still just reacting, winging it, and they can't figure out why they're feeling stuck.
I get it—being reactive can feel easier in the moment. It's a hard habit to break, especially if it's been working "well enough" for a while. That adrenaline rush of tackling the unexpected can even be kind of fun!
But here's the harsh truth: reactive mode is unsustainable for a growing business. It Burns out your team, adds chaos, and keeps you from intentionally creating the work and life you really want. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to shifting from reactive to proactive mode:
Being reactive is much easier in the moment. It’s a lot easier to simply go with the flow and respond to what comes to you than to take the time to consider what you really want and how to get there (aka planning). Reactive mode is a hard habit to break for many, especially if we have been operating this way for years.
Reactive mode can feel "good enough." – This is a dangerous trap that my clients have often been in for years. And quite honestly, it can be OK. They were making decent money and enjoying their work for the most part. But it really wasn’t by design, and it got to the point where something was definitely missing.
Reactive mode can actually be a lot of fun – I get it. There is a rush that comes from the energy of "go go go!!!" when you are in reactive mode. It can be draining and frustrating, but also exciting to get up each day not knowing what will come your way and just having to go with it. Yes, I know…it can be very fulfilling to tackle the unexpected and come out on top. But again, it’s not intentional and it’s not sustainable.
Reactive mode affects everyone in your business – In growth mode, it’s not just about you. When you are in reactive mode, it forces your team to always be in reactive mode, continually scrambling to catch up, constantly putting out fires, and trying to get things done correctly and on time.
If you're ready to ditch reactive mode for good and take charge of your company's future, I'm here to help. As a Certified OBM, proactively planning and implementing your vision is my superpower.
No more winging it. It's time to create your business with conscious design. Are you ready to make the shift?