Remember reading "Alice in Wonderland?"

She asks the Cheshire Cat, "which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where," said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.

Alice was floundering because she, like many in business management, have not defined what they want or where they need to go. They don't have firm short-term and long-term goals. They don't delegate, lead, or follow-up. Often, like Alice, who jumped down the Rabbit's Hole, they jump at opportunities without considering whether those opportunities are appropriate, affordable or too risky and then have to deal with the results later.

If you, unlike Alice, do care where you and your business are going, "then it does matter which way you go." Businesspeople who know and understand their goals and ambitions write business plans, marketing plans, and action plans. They develop projects that are appropriate to their plans. They don't find themselves turning and spinning like Alice at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

I'd love to tell you that, when you know where you want to go, the road is smooth and traffic flows. Unfortunately, in the real world, even with a good roadmap (or business plan) the road is often bumpy and potholes abound, but without disciplined planning that road will seem as crazy as "Wonderland." So take the time and write your roadmap to success instead of jumping down that Rabbit's Hole and ending up at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

Larry Galler, a Coach and Consultant, works with Owners and Managers of small and mid-size businesses to substantially increase sales volume and profitability through creative marketing strategies and streamlining or eliminating "administrivia."

To learn about ways Larry helps businesses acheive their goals visit http://www.larrygaller.com