How far into the future should we be planning?

I recently came across that document while moving house, and 90% of that plan has come true.

Masterplanning plays a major role in my consulting work these days, allowing my clients to see beyond their day to day challenges, helping them to connect to what it is they REALLY want, rather than what they think is possible given the current climate, or the resources they have.

Masterplanning alone isn’t enough though.

In my experience working with businesses of all sizes, there’s a sweet spot in planning. It’s about balancing big, audacious visions with manageable, realistic steps. In my view it requires a connecting 3 part planning process to create a multilayered map that combines your long-term direction with clear milestones that keep you on track.

Masterplanning: The 10-Year Direction of Travel

First up, let’s talk about the 10-year plan – the “big picture.” Some people get scared of thinking that far ahead because, well, who knows what the world will look like in a decade? But I see this more as a direction of travel than a rigid roadmap. It’s not about predicting every detail; it’s about setting a north star for your business.

Ask yourself:

– What’s the legacy I want to leave behind?

– How do I want to impact my industry or community?

– What’s the ultimate goal, the big WHY behind my work?

This kind of thinking fuels long-term vision and keeps you focused on where you’re heading, even when the day-to-day feels chaotic. For example, look at companies like Tesla. Elon Musk isn’t micromanaging every step; he’s looking at a future where electric cars dominate the market, and space travel is just another commute. That’s a bold 10-year vision – and it’s been driving innovation and investment for years. 

But here’s the trick: you don’t need to know how you’re going to get there in exact detail just yet. The important thing is to set that direction of travel and stay open to opportunities as they come.

3-Year Growth Plan: Building the Bridge

Now, let’s bring it a little closer to home with the 3-year plan. This is where things start to get practical. The 3-year plan is your bridge between that big, visionary future and the more immediate, tangible goals. It’s about scaling, growing, and making serious moves toward your 10-year destination.

Here’s where you can really start asking:

– What does my business need to look like in 3 years to be on track for the bigger goal?

– How can I align my team and resources to make it happen?

– What new products, services, or innovations should I be focusing on?

For example, if your 10-year vision is to be the leading sustainable brand in your market, then your 3-year plan could focus on things like sustainable product development, building brand authority in the green space, and cultivating strategic partnerships with eco-friendly suppliers. It’s the phase where you start seeing tangible results, the kind that make you sit up and say, “Yep, we’re on our way!”

This is also where businesses often falter because they try to do everything at once and run out of steam (or cash) My advice? Stick to a few key growth areas. Focus on the things that will move the needle, not the shiny distractions.

90-Day Cycles: The Power of Small Wins

Here’s where the magic really happens: the 90-day plan. The beauty of working in 90-day cycles is that it’s short enough to keep you laser-focused but long enough to make significant progress. This is where the rubber meets the road. You might have an inspiring 10-year vision and a solid 3-year growth strategy, but what are you doing today? 

90-day cycles are all about asking:

– What are the critical actions I need to take right now?

– How do I measure success in the short term?

– What’s the immediate priority?

It’s kind of like training for a marathon (and trust me, I know a thing or two about marathons having run 6!). You don’t run 26 miles straight off the bat. You plan out your training in manageable chunks, focus on your short-term goals (like hitting that weekly mileage), and gradually build up. Every 90 days is a new cycle of action, reflection, and adjustment.

For example, in your business, one 90-day cycle might focus on launching a new marketing campaign or refining your sales funnel. The next 90 days could be all about customer feedback, product iteration, or expanding your team. The point is, these smaller chunks of time help you avoid the overwhelm of trying to do it all at once.

The Balancing Act

So, how far into the future should you be planning? The answer is all of it. You need the long-term vision to give you direction, the medium-term strategy to keep you on track, and the short-term action plan to make sure you’re actually getting stuff done.

The 10-year plan gives you clarity on where you’re heading.  

The 3-year plan keeps you accountable for your growth…set 1 year KPI’s to ensure there is some urgency if that helps

The 90-day cycles ensure you’re taking consistent, measurable action.

It’s the balance between these timelines that creates momentum. Too much focus on the long-term, and you risk drifting aimlessly. Too much focus on the short-term, and you’ll be busy, but not necessarily productive. Find your balance, work those cycles, and remember: planning is important, but action is what turns plans into reality

Are you ready to take the long-term dream and break it down into manageable, meaningful steps? Because that’s where the real growth happens.

My 10 year plan saw me go from struggling single parent living in a 2 bed apartment in East London, to living the portfolio career dream in the area of my choice, with my now 11 year old in one of the best secondary schools in the country, and absolutely thriving.