My dad often tells me how he had some nice shares of some stock that he sold that later went through the roof in the 1980’s & 1990’s. Of course in the late 1950’s and 1960’s most people did not consider the potential of those stocks. Frankly many stockholders did not envision the skyrocketing growth that occurred.

And of course there other variables that prevented him from keeping his investments in hold. At the time he needed the small return that was gained at the time. Which he has no regrets about. But there is a lesson to be learned from all of this and the many similar life experiences that are related to finance and business.

So let’s take the lesson and apply it to our Internet business. In fact the Internet adds a variable or two to the mix. How’s that? Before we get to that let’s review the overall lesson and how it relates to our Internet business.

Using my dad’s story as the object lesson here the message or principle is clear. #1: you must make sound decisions in the present and add #2: consider the realistic potential of the future.

#2 is the part that my dad regrets. Although he made sound decisions in the present he wishes he had spent more time calculating the changes that were ahead. He wishes he had developed a longer range plan to account for the now and the future.

This is important in our Internet business. Regardless of what our niche, market, or area of expertise we clearly need to work for the best immediate results but also have a long range plan. Now some of you are saying right now “no kidding goof ball, who doesn’t know that?”

The reality is my dad said the same thing back when. Yes understanding the concept of planning ahead and planning ahead are two different things. Think about it.

For one there is that point we made about the added variables the Internet brings. Part of the long range plans need to constantly be given contingency plans and/or adjustments. Why? Because the Internet is still evolving. And as much as we try to project what is coming we will never foresee everything that is coming.

That said the more we learn about the Internet and what its capacity is now, the more accurate we can be about where it is heading. With that in mind be ready for the changes as they come. What does all this mean?

What it means is that you should literally write out a series of goal and strategies. You should have a plan for the month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 year, and 5 years out. No really, you should. Notice that you are making goals and strategies. What’s the difference?

The fact is that you will probably not reach all of your goals but you should have a high success rate with your strategy. Yes your goals are things you wish to attain or a level to reach. Your strategy is how you are going to get there and more. Your strategy will also include the grunt work of your business. Yes details are important.

And part of that will include analyzing the present state and the potential future state of the Internet and your business. How can you prepare for the growing Internet? What can you do now to make the transitions seamless?

Successful people are not usually surprised by the future they are usually changing with it. Of course there is a need for patience and practicality. Do not try and manipulate or guess the future. Yes there is always risk with some parts of business. Certainly the example we used of the stock market is proof of that. But the stocks that my dad refers too were very predictable in many ways. I am not suggesting that anyone could have foreseen the extent of the rise in the stock. But there is no question that the companies involved had a clear path of many years of growth in front of them.

Now the Internet is not risky at all. The specific business you are in will have its own degree of risk and gain. You need to figure that out. It really comes down the more you put in the more you get out. But that has the reality of being organized with it.

Just starting out in your Internet business? Have you had a web page for a while and you aren’t happy with the results? Or maybe you have yourself a nice Internet business and you just want to keep it going or develop it more?

Then take time to regularly write out your plans of attack. Again make specific goals and strategies for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years out. And follow them as well as adjust them as needed. Make sure you allow study time for following the trends of your business and the Internet is general. Make note of certain patterns that point to future change and possibilities.

And the end of the day don’t get caught saying “if I only knew then”.

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