Have a Plan, Not a Dream || How to Set Realistic Goals for Your New Business?

Many of the big success stories out there are also known as "disruptors" -- where, through technology and "out of the box" thinking, they invented ways of making people's lives easier and more convenient.

For example, Airbnb allowed people to find accommodation easily in their desired destinations and encouraged people who had spare space to use it and make money. Uber tapped into a population of people willing to drive people around for less and gave passengers a way to get around cheaper.

So, how do you get started? Here are five steps to help you begin with the right mindset:

Create key messages.

If you want to succeed in business, identifying what is different about your product and service will give you that much-needed edge. Write and refine three to five statements which clearly spell out how you're different from competitors. It's these small efforts that give you direction on how to position your business for optimum success.

Figure out your pricing.

People lose confidence in you if they ask about the price and your answer is flaky. Get specific and choose numbers that feel right. A typical fear is that you will quote too high and that will put them off. To work it out, you need three numbers.

First, calculate the lowest amount possible that you would charge for the work, then calculate what you think is fair for you and your experience, etc. On the higher end, identify the number that you think your competitors would charge for a similar product or service.

Make a plan that's mindful of your time.

I love it when people think big! However, all too often they underestimate the time and headspace required for them to achieve what they've planned. Be realistic on what you can easily do as a bare minimum.

Write a list of what you will do, as well as what you won't do.

A lot of what you might not manage to achieve isn't because you don't have the time or your goals are unrealistic. Write a list of all the things you have in your life that you "have to do." Circle the things that don't inspire or fulfill you. Unless your list includes looking after your little kids or helping elderly relatives, most likely, your answer will be staring right at you.