As I am oft to do, I was reading what some might consider a rather boring article recently.
Yes, I am one of those people who reads and is interested in Census reports, data reports from the Montana Site Selector, and published research about self-awareness, power dynamics, and what creates decision-making blind spots.
Well – this time, I was reading about the fascinating topic of financial happiness.
As a person mindfully and intentionally planning to retire within the next 10 years, the report titled “The Great Decide” from the financial services company, Empower Retirement, confirmed something I’ve come to believe in since starting work as a business advisor in 2014: Writing down the ideas bouncing around in your head actually increases the likelihood of achieving the goal of the idea.
“…78% (of Empower’s survey respondents) say having a financial plan to guide their decisions ahead makes them happier and less stressed.”
Another article titled “Financial Happiness” linked in Empower’s “The Great Decide” piece cites more data indicating that “Americans with a more detailed financial plan are about three times as likely to report greater happiness in money matters, including goal setting, debt, net worth, and financial allies.”
I tell Zero to Five Montana’s coaching clients all the time, an idea is not a plan until it is written down.
The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, publishers of the assessment tools Business Administration Scale (BAS) and Program Administration Scale (PAS) used in Montana’s quality recognition program, indicate that a business practice is not real unless it is documented on real or virtual paper.
Reading these two Empower Retirement articles reminded me of a conversation I had with a childcare provider in Montana in early 2025. Long story short, when I asked if she had a budget, she said yes and pointed to her head when I asked where it was.
Plans aren’t plans until they are written down and shareable with others. They are just ideas. Dreams are only visions, not strategies, until they are written down and shareable with others.
I know, it can be debilitating to try to figure out what platform to use when writing down an idea, thus converting it to a plan. Should it be some fancy app or an Excel or Word document? Should it live in the cloud or in a binder?
Frankly, it does not matter so long as the tool or platform makes sense and works for you. I personally have my retirement plan and my semi-monthly budget written, in pencil, on 5×7 notepads, hanging from a clip on my refrigerator because the more I see them the more motivated I am to make those ideas real. And yes, I look at my retirement plan and budget every…single…day.
So, if you’re a business owner or operator and struggle with finances or business management and your plan lives in your head…write it down. The data tells us you’re more likely to implement the strategy written out in a business plan or a budget. Plus – you’ll be less stressed and overall, much happier.
As the author and motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar once said, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”
If you get stuck converting ideas into written words and numbers, Zero to Five Montana is here to help. We can walk with you to identify the tools, resources, and processes to ensure your ideas become detailed plans lived within intentionality.
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Jason Nitschke is Zero to Five Montana and Montana Child Care Business Connect’s Senior Child Care Business Advisor. He is a nationally recognized economic development professional and former business owner.
Montana Child Care Business Connect is funded under a Contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.
