“I’m never going to get all of this done.” Have you ever felt this way in your business? Of course you have! We all have.

While there are peaks and valleys in most industries, it’s how we handle all of it that really matters. And that’s why it is critically important to have a plan. Most entrepreneurs fail because they don’t have a plan – and what I call the ‘official’ business plan and the ‘unofficial’ plan.

I’m sure you can all relate to this. The official business plan is mapped out by the year, the month, the week and sometimes, even down to the day. That’s the way I operate, anyway. I am very focused, very disciplined and function on an 80/20% approach. There is always room for some flexibility, for unexpected happenings, or ‘just because’.

It’s the ‘unofficial plan’ that I want to talk about in this article. Without the official business plan, you’re in enough trouble, LOL. But without the unofficial plan, you’re toast, in my opinion.

That unofficial business plan comes down to the way we function when we are in the midst of our peak times. It’s great to have all the aspects of the business written down – the strategies, the communications, the scheduling and so on. Let me give you a few tips on how I manage the unofficial part of all of this – and survive, in the upright position with a smile on my face.

1. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU’RE IN THE MIDST OF IT.
There is no point in trying to kid yourself that it is ‘business as usual’. It’s not. You know it. Everyone around you knows it. Admit it. Deal with it. Create a plan for handling it – and communicate it.

2. COMMUNICATION IS KEY.
I actually just got a text (It’s Sunday afternoon as I write this – which is unusual behavior because I typically do not work on Sundays but, right now, I’m ‘in the midst of it’ with my business. It’s my girlfriend, who just called and left a voicemail because I didn’t pick up the phone. She texted to find out where I am. I replied briefly to say what I’m doing and that I’ll call later – because I am focused on getting some things done right now). It’s essential that you communicate to all – family, friends, team members, co-workers…….what is going on and how you plan on handling it. I am cranking out emails, content, etc. over to my team but that doesn’t mean I expect them to be dropping everything on a Sunday to respond. They know my methods right now – and I am focused on what I need to get done on my end.

3. PERSONAL CARE.
I have been working out with a personal trainer since January. One thing I know for sure is that to stand on a stage for 3 days and 2 evenings (Oct. 19-21, by the way!), takes core strength – it takes stamina – it takes agility. I know what I need to do and I take it seriously – well in advance. I choose proper nutrition, I plan my sleep schedule, I surround myself with positive people – and set myself up for success. This event is about ME showing up as my best self.

4. REMEMBER TO HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY.
This past week, something came up that I chose to handle during the work week. Again, much like working on a Sunday, this is highly unusual for me to walk away from the office for a full day to handle something personal – but I did. It was a priority and it was personal. Fortunately, because I do communicate, because we have an ‘unofficial plan’, because I have a great team and systems in place, I do have that 20% flexibility built in. I am proactive in handling deadlines – no need for self-induced stress racing the clock. That’s just stupid. Plan on unexpected things happening because they will.

5. REMEMBER THE FUN FACTOR.
I’m getting prepared for this 4th annual 3-day Wealth Makers Toronto 2015 event because I LOVE it. It is the major event of the year for my business. It is THE premier entrepreneur event of the year in Canada. I take great pride in this – AND I have fun putting it all together. I have an amazing support team: event planners, my team, my book-keeper, photographer, videographer, and so many more people – it does take a village. I do remember the FUN factor in all of this – and that’s what keeps us all sane and grounded as we count through these next 30+ days.

I AM THE C.E.O.
I DRIVE THIS BUS.
I SET THE TONE.
I AM THE LEADER.
I MAKE THE DECISIONS.
I DO THIS BECAUSE I LOVE IT.

Do you?

What step will you implement in your peak time?

Please share your thoughts.