Writing out a business plan can help you accomplish more of your goals throughout the year.

A business plan gives you more focus, says April-Lynn Levitt, a coach with the Personal Coach in Calgary. You are more productive when with a plan because you know what you have to do each day when you come into the office.

Follow these five tips to create a business plan that will help you reach your goals:

1. Find a template

Instead of starting from scratch, save time by using a template for your business plan.

Several templates are available online, Levitt says, that will give you a head start with business planning. For example, the Personal Coach offers a business-plan outline. Other templates include the One-Page Business Plan, available at www.onepagebusinessplan.com.

As well, most large firms offer business-plan templates for their advisors.

2. Know your vision

Put your vision for the business on paper.

Write out a three-year vision, Levitt says, and then work down to your two-year and one-year goals. Consider what you want your team to look like, what your office will look like, how many clients you will have and your targets for revenue.

“Getting a really clear picture [of your business] is important,” she says.

3. Get specific

Write out the details for each of your goals in the business plan.

If you want to meet more clients as part of your one-year vision, be specific about how you will accomplish that goal. For example, Levitt says, you might plan to have 10 client appointments per week for 40 weeks

4. Create a schedule

Map out in your calendar the goals outlined in the business plan.

First, mark down your vacation time and when you have conferences and professional-development days, Levitt says. Then look at the remaining time to figure out how you can meet with clients to build your business.

5. Make yourself accountable

Follow through with your business plan, says Levitt, by building in some accountability.

You are more likely to accomplish goals, she says, if you share them with someone, such as team members, a colleague, a manager or a coach.