As a small business owner, you are your own boss. If you're dedicated to being home every day at four o'clock, your business can make that possible. If you have your heart set on retiring to a vacation property, the plans you make now for your business can help get you there.

It's essential to keep in mind what's important to you and what you want to achieve in both your business and your personal life when writing your business plan.

Briefly describe what you want your business to make possible for you. In defining your short and long-term goals, consider these questions:

• What is most important to you in life?
  
  
• How do you define personal success?
  
  
• Why did you decide to own your own business?
  
  
• If you run an established business, have your
  reasons for owning a business changed?
  
  
• What do you hope to achieve financially?