As a business owner, you know that life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. Between health issues, family changes, travel plans, or other surprises, it’s easy to feel like making business plans is a waste of time. After all, what if life throws everything off track? If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the effort to plan your business, stick around because today, we’ll talk about why annual planning WITH-God is essential and how it can lead to amazing returns on your investment—both personally and professionally.
To Plan or Not to Plan: That is the Question
So, let’s kick things off with one big question: Should you bother making plans at all? The most common obstacle I hear from business owners is, “I make plans for my business, but then life happens, and they don’t happen.”
And let’s be honest, life does happen. Whether it’s health issues, unexpected moves, job changes, or parenting challenges, it feels like everything can get derailed at any time. I’ve been there—trust me, I’ve faced a lot of those hurdles in my own business over the last ten years.
But here’s the thing: If I had decided to stop making plans just because life can be unpredictable, I’d have spent all my time reacting to the “life happens” stuff without getting anywhere. I’d be stuck, constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop, and guess what? That’s no way to run a business!
The truth is, God has given us time for a reason, and we are called to make plans—with Him. It doesn’t mean we plan everything in stone, but it does mean we’re intentional about where we’re going and how we get there.
What the Bible Says About Making Plans
In James 4:13-17, the Bible tells us three things about planning:
- We don’t know what tomorrow holds. Life is unpredictable, and that’s OK.
- Our time on earth isn’t unlimited, so we need to make the most of it.
- It doesn’t say not to make plans at all—it says we should make plans as the Lord wills.
This doesn’t mean we are supposed to plan without God’s guidance, nor does it mean we can just wing it and leave everything to chance. Rather, we are encouraged to make plans but to remain flexible, trusting that God’s ways and timing are always higher than ours.
I’ve had my own experience with this. Many years ago, my family felt called to move to Wausau for a church plant. We made all the necessary preparations—jobs, housing, the works. But then, out of nowhere, the church plant was canceled. I was heartbroken, especially since I had felt so sure this was God’s plan for us. But shortly after, my husband received orders to deploy to Afghanistan. It was a huge challenge, and yet, when I look back, I see how God used that season in our lives to shape our family and my business in ways we couldn’t have predicted.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps.” While we can plan, ultimately, it’s God who directs our paths. And that’s the secret—making plans, but doing it WITH-God in mind, and leaving room for His guidance.
The Impact of Annual Planning on Your Business ROI
Okay, so we’ve established that making plans is good, but how does this translate to increasing your ROI (Return on Investment)?
If you look at any successful business, chances are, they didn’t just stumble into success by luck. They had a plan. They mapped out where they wanted to go, set goals, checked in along the way, and adjusted when necessary. Why? Because the way you invest your time and resources directly correlates to the return you’ll get.
This applies to any business, whether you’re a solopreneur or you manage a team. If you constantly jump from one idea to the next without a clear focus, you won’t get very far. But when you take the time to intentionally map out your business growth with annual planning, keeping God at the center of your plans, the impact is undeniable.
And let me tell you, once I started planning with God and taking consistent action, things changed. I’m not only where I wanted to be this year, but I’m ahead of schedule—and I’m doing exactly what I feel God led me to do. That’s not luck, that’s a divinely inspired plan executed with intention.
5 Steps to Planning Your Business Growth for the Year
Now that you understand why making plans is essential, let’s break down how you can start planning your business growth with a faith-centered approach.
1. Annual Vision: Dream WITH-God
The first step is carving out time each year to reflect, pray, and dream WITH-God. This is the moment to evaluate what you’ve accomplished and look ahead to where He’s leading you next. Once you have your big-picture vision, it’s important to break it down into actionable steps.
2. Seasonal Focus: Break It Down by Quarter
Instead of planning everything for the whole year, break it into chunks. For instance, focus on one big goal per quarter, which will give you time to get things done without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Monthly Milestones: Set Clear Goals
Each quarter, break down your goals even further into monthly milestones. These are the checkpoints that let you know if you’re on track. By focusing on just one month at a time, you can concentrate on completing tasks without the pressure of the entire year hanging over you.
4. Weekly Targets: Keep It Manageable
Next, break your monthly milestones into weekly tasks. Each week, you’ll focus on completing a specific set of actions that move you closer to your monthly milestone. This helps you stay focused and motivated, knowing exactly what to tackle each week.
5. Daily Meetings with God: Prioritize Your Tasks
Finally, each day, take a few moments for a “CEO Daily Meeting” WITH-God. Reflect on what needs your attention today, let go of what you can’t control, and trust Him with the outcome. This daily habit helps keep you grounded, focused, and centered as you move forward with your plans.
Why Annual Planning Works
The beauty of this framework is that it’s not just about making plans; it’s about aligning your plans with God’s will. When you check in with Him regularly—annually, seasonally, monthly, weekly, and daily—you’ll be more attuned to where He’s leading you, and more likely to experience the kind of ROI that only comes when you walk in His purpose.
I can honestly say that using this planning method has helped me achieve more than I ever imagined. And the best part? It’s been far less stressful than trying to do everything on my own.
So, here’s the big takeaway: making plans is not just allowed—it’s encouraged by God. When you make plans with Him, and commit to checking in regularly, you will see incredible growth and ROI in your business.
Want to learn more about how to plan for success in your business? Check out the REDEEM Her Time Planner, which integrates this WITH-God approach and helps you track your goals from year to year. Trust me, this planner is not like anything you’ll find at Target!
Redeem Her Time Community
Jump into the Redeem Her Time Community to answer this question: What’s one big vision for your business that you’d love to see happen over the next year (or sooner)? Share it with us in the REDEEM Her Time Community, and let’s hold each other accountable!
Don’t forget to grab your REDEEM Her Time Balance Assessment to kickstart your journey today. You can find it at redeemhertime.com/assessment.
By planning WITH-God, you’re not just building a business—you’re building a future aligned with His will. Let’s get started!
And by the way, you can find us on YouTube!
