Last week our executive team at Footers Catering had our annual two-day strategic planning session. It’s something I look forward to each year as the six of us gather to discuss what we learned from the previous year and make decisions on what needs to be prioritized in the year to come. Our biggest revelation was that our planning for the past few years has been limited to one year out. The pandemic threw us for a loop and left us focused on the immediate future in each of the past three years. First, it was salvaging our business, then trying to figure out how to rebuild as business came roaring back. After a year of stability in 2023, we finally all felt comfortable dreaming and planning for more than a year out.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that you look two to three blocks ahead in city and suburban areas when driving and at least a quarter mile ahead in rural areas. I remember when I was learning to drive, I had a tendency to want to look only a few feet in front of the car. This led to a miserably jerky ride for my parents while I was trying to stay within the lane lines and avoid obstacles and potholes. It took many reminders and lots of practice to teach my brain to look farther ahead. When I trained with the club ski team in college, on my very first time trial, I mistakenly went around the finish line thinking it was another gate. I had to learn that if you look three turns (or gates) ahead, your brain can process the terrain and make adjustments that can’t be made when looking at the tips of your skis or the ground right in front of you.

When we focus too much on what is right in front of us, we don’t allow ourselves to see the bigger picture. When we live day to day, we miss the cues that help us make better decisions and avoid the potholes of life. When our thinking is rooted in the short term, we lack the ability to set ourselves up for long-term success. The most disciplined leaders are always looking ahead and keeping their focus on where they are going. They plan for the future and adjust along the way. They don’t make rash decisions when challenges pop up, because they’ve been able to anticipate what might occur and already have a “plan b”. I’ve found this skill difficult to achieve, especially after reaching a big goal or a period of success when you have to transition from arriving at a destination to deciding where to go next.

Personally, and in our businesses, we can have a far greater impact when we pick our heads up and look further out. It was inspiring and energizing for me to work with our team and spend time thinking about three to five years into the future. We have an ambitious plan with lots of work ahead, and most importantly I can see where we are going and I’m excited about the direction we are headed. As you do your planning for next year, I challenge you to look beyond twelve months. What do you want to accomplish in the next three years? Five years? As you set your heart on those goals and begin to move in that direction in 2024, your brain will see what is ahead and help you stay on the right path to get there.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. We’d love to hear what your big goals are!