Clarity is everything. Whether you’re leading a startup or scaling a seasoned enterprise, the ability to see what matters, name it clearly, and act with precision is the mark of a winning business. And just recently, I had one of those ah-ha moments that sharpened this truth like never before.
It all started with a simple yet powerful question from my Business Coach:
“Do you feel more empowered by the word plan or project?”
Let that settle in for a moment.
When I thought about it, the answer was crystal clear—project.
Why? Because a project is anchored in clarity. It carries a defined purpose, specific objectives, clear scope, and tight boundaries—especially around time. A plan, in contrast, is simply a method—a potential pathway. It’s loose. It’s theoretical. It doesn’t move the needle unless it evolves into action.
At ActionCOACH Guyana, we often refer to our 90-day planning sessions as just that—plans. Here’s the shift that changed everything for me:
What we’re really doing are 90-day projects.
And that distinction opens up an entirely new level of understanding about how businesses grow with intention.
🔄 From Strategy to Action: The Real Growth Sequence
Here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace:
In a 90-day window, there’s no room for high-level strategy. It’s all about execution. The work done in those quarters isn’t just planning—it’s project-based, measurable action aligned to the greater strategy.
Let’s map that out:
Strategy → Plan → Projects → Actions
- Strategy defines what you’ll do and who you’ll do it for. This is born from a long-range vision, usually over 1–3–5 years.
- Plans translate the strategy into how you’ll approach execution.
- Projects break those plans down into focused, time-bound efforts.
- Actions are the steps taken inside those projects.
The confusion between “strategic planning” and “project planning” is what causes businesses to stall. Strategy is not what happens every 90 days. Strategy is designed, then acted on through well-scoped projects.
🧠 Think Big, Act Quarterly
As we gear up for our next GrowthCLUB: 90-Day Planning Session on June 28, I encourage you to come with a project mindset. Ask yourself:
- What am I really trying to build over the next quarter?
- What purpose does it serve?
- What are the boundaries?
- What does success look like in 90 days?
If it doesn’t have a clear outcome, scope, and timeframe—it’s not a project. And if it’s not a project, you’re likely spinning in planning mode without real progress.
🚀 Final Thought
I’ll unpack this more over the coming weeks, but here’s what I want to leave with you today:
The bridge between vision and results is built with projects.
Don’t just plan. Define, execute, measure, and adjust. That’s how we create a meaningful big picture—one well-executed quarter at a time.
Let’s keep growing—intentionally and powerfully.
See you at GrowthCLUB on June 28.