If there’s one fun fact about me that usually surprises people, it’s that I’m not a huge fan of amusement parks. I know, I know, that sounds strange to most folks. My family absolutely loves them. They live for the roller coasters, the funnel cakes, the parades, the music, the lights, the games, the energy, the whole experience.
Me? All I can see is crowded and expensive parking, achy feet, long lines, and cranky kids at the end of the day. But my family loves it so I love it. That’s just my way.
Now, my wife? She’s the master planner. She studies the park map like it’s a military operation. She knows which rides to hit early, which shows have the best seating, and exactly where to go before the crowds build. She has the day plotted out, timed out, and perfectly mapped.
But when I’m in charge? Well… let’s just say things go awry.
I remember one trip in particular. We walked into the park with excitement high but with absolutely no plan. No map. No route. No schedule. Within 20 minutes, we were wandering around
trying to figure out where that one ride everyone wanted to go on actually was. It turns out we weren’t even in the right section of the park.
We backtracked. We zig-zagged. We stood in a 45-minute line only to discover it wasn’t even the ride we thought it was. We missed a show my kids were excited about because I didn’t realize it was happening on the other side of the park. And by the time lunch rolled around, everyone was tired, hungry, overstimulated, and giving me that slow look of disappointment that only a family with sore feet can deliver.
Later that evening, when we finally sat down with exhausted legs and overpriced sodas, something hit me. The day didn’t have to go like that. Not if I’d had a plan. Not if I’d 
simply taken the time to map out the experience the way my wife does so naturally. And even though the kids still had fun, because they are kids, I realized something important. Chaos could’ve been avoided with just a little preparation.
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
When I think back on that amusement park day, I see the same thing happening to new entrepreneurs all the time. They walk through the gates of their online business full of excitement ready to conquer the “rides,” the tools, the learning, the freedom, the possibilities.
But without a plan? Without a map? Without a sense of direction? They wander. They backtrack. They stand in long lines for things they didn’t actually want. They miss crucial steps without realizing it. And before long, the excitement wears off and replaced with overwhelm, confusion, or discouragement.
And this is exactly why we’re starting the Blueprint Series with Planning as Pillar 1. This is the stage-setting pillar. The one that makes every pillar that comes after this make sense. Everything that follows in this series (Coaching, Community, and Tools) builds on what you begin here. So, if the foundation feels clear, simple, and strong, the rest of the journey will feel a whole lot
easier.
That first pillar in the blueprint, Planning, is the one that prevents your business from becoming a day full of chaos and exhausted feet.
Why Planning Matters (and Why It’s Pillar #1)
Planning is your park map. It’s your schedule. It’s the strategy that keeps you moving in the right direction instead of zig-zagging all over your business.
Planning gives you:
- Clarity – You know what you’re building, and you know why. No more guessing. No more “hope this works.”
- Confidence – When you know the next step, you take the next step. Momentum becomes natural instead of forced.
- Efficiency – You save time, money, energy, and frustration because you’re not running in circles.
- Focus – No more “shiny-object syndrome.” You know which “rides” are worth your time and which ones you can skip.
- Results – When you plan intentionally, you build intentionally. And real results come from deliberate action, not accidental success.
And here’s the important part. Planning is the foundation that everything else sits on.
You can’t be coached effectively without a plan. You can’t benefit from a community without a plan. You can’t choose the right tools without a plan.
That’s exactly why this is the first pillar I’m diving into after last week’s post on “Directions.” That post showed why directions matter and is the only one in the series that will focus entirely on Planning, because it needs to be thorough. It’s the first structural beam of your online business.
In the next posts, I’ll be breaking down the other three pillars:
- Coaching – where guidance accelerates your learning
- Community – where support and momentum grow
- Tools – where the right systems help you build faster
Together, these pillars form a framework that can simplify the entire online business journey.
And at the end of this series, I’ll be sharing a solution, a complete, easy-to-follow blueprint that brings all four pillars together into one cohesive path.
It’s something many people use to jump-start their business in the most efficient way possible. And I promise… you won’t want to miss it.
Think of today’s post as the map at the front gate. The solution coming at the end of this series? That’s the VIP Fast Pass.
Let me ask you something. What’s the one thing about planning an online business that you struggle with most? Knowing where to start? Prioritizing your steps? Finding the right tools? Staying focused?
Drop a comment and tell me. Your questions help shape the rest of this series. We’re building this together, one pillar at a time, and I’m excited to walk this path with you.
Even if it feels like a long day at an amusement park, with the right plan, it won’t be nearly as exhausting.
And yes, my wife will still plan better than I do. And yes, she’ll tell you that I walk at the wrong pace and miss the shortcuts. She’s not wrong. 😄
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” — Yogi Berra
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” — Warren Buffett
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
I made a plan to stop procrastinating. Starting tomorrow.
I told my wife I had a solid plan for the day. Turns out “follow the crowd and hope for the best” wasn’t what she meant.
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
**If you are curious about this process and wish to know more about an affiliate marketing business, please subscribe to my newsletter here to learn more. And please continue following my blog. My hope is not only to create the freedom I so long for but pass on what I have learned to others who have similar aspirations.
This is the time of year when plans, otherwise known as “New Years Resolutions,” become topics of conversation and discussion. But real plan creation is a much deeper exercise, one that as a group with Dean Holland, we can help each other formulate. Thanks for the amusement park analogy!
Hi Kate – Yes, New Year’s Resolutions seem to be a mantra starting now and into the early part of next year. But behind every resolution needs to have a plan. And with that plan one needs to be ready to follow through even if it’s a great cost. Very few things, if any, are free. Thanks for your visit to blog post and for your comments!
Well done, Ernie. Great advice. The enthusiasm is great, but without a plan from the beginning that can quickly fade and turn into disappointment. Planning keeps you on track, setting small goals and staying organized. I can relate to your wife.
Thank you! You’re absolutely right! Enthusiasm is great, but a solid plan is what keeps everything moving forward. Those small goals make a huge difference. And yes, my wife definitely keeps me on track more than I like to admit! 😄 Have a great week!
Yes, the planning part that many many people forget or don’t want to do before they throw themselves into whatever they decide!
Your blog reminded me of a time when I had planned an exercise and thought that everything was clear to everyone… unfortunately, the support part forgot to add “feeding the troops on the last day” as being part of the exercise!
Can’t wait to read the next steps and seeing it all come together! Cheers!
Hi Marc – You’re so right, planning is the step everyone wants to skip, right up until the moment something important (like feeding the troops!) gets missed. It’s always those small, critical details that remind us why a solid plan matters in the first place.
I’m really glad the post connected with you, and I appreciate you following along. The next steps in the series tie everything together in a simple, clear way. Can’t wait to share them with you!
Hey Ernie! This had me laughing because I’ve been that person, having the “wait… this isn’t the ride we thought it was?” moment. Your amusement park story is such a perfect comparison to how starting an online business can feel when you jump in with excitement but no real plan. I’ve done the same thing, hoping things would magically fall into place, only to end up wandering around and missing the important stuff. Planning makes things so much more smoother and a whole lot less chaotic.
If I had to pick what I struggle with most, it’s figuring out what matters right now instead of jumping ahead and overwhelming myself. I’m always trying to move onto the next thing when I haven’t mastered the first thing yet. I really enjoyed this post. It’s simple, relatable, and makes the whole journey feel more manageable. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series! Thanks, Ernie and I hope you have a great week!
Hi Meredith – Thank you so much for this! I’m glad the amusement park chaos hit home. I think we’ve all had that “wait… wrong ride!” moment in both life and business. And you nailed something so many people struggle wit, knowing what matters right now instead of trying to master everything all at once. That’s exactly why Planning is Pillar #1 as it slows the overwhelm and gives you a clear next step instead of 20 competing ones. I’m grateful you’re following along, and I’m excited to share the rest of the series. One step at a time really does make the whole journey feel lighter. Wishing you an amazing week, too!
Hi Ernie,
You’re not alone – I’m not a huge fan of them either. In fact, I haven’t been to one in over 20 years since I left school!
The thing I struggle with most is probably consistency, and yet I know it’s literally THE key to success. I’m getting better though, lol.
Dan
Hi Dan – I’m right there with you. if I never stand in another hour-long line again, I’ll be just fine. 😄 And I hear you on consistency. It really is the key, and it’s also one of the hardest muscles to build when life gets busy. The fact that you’re aware of it (and improving!) already puts you ahead of most people. Glad to have you following along, and I appreciate you sharing that. We’ll be talking more about consistency as the series unfolds. It’s a big piece of the puzzle!