One of the keys to success in an Olympic sailing campaign is having a comprehensive, structured plan in place. A well-crafted campaign plan not only provides a roadmap for achieving your goals but also demonstrates your commitment and professionalism to potential supporters and coaches. The process of putting together such a plan can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to this level of the sport. However, if you break it down into clear layers, it becomes a powerful tool for staying on track and making meaningful progress.
The Three Pillars of a Good Campaign Plan
I like to teach that a good campaign plan has three essential pillars:
1. The plan,
2. The calendar, and
3. The budget.
Each pillar builds on the previous one, creating a clear, actionable roadmap. Let’s look at each of these components in more detail:
1. The Plan: Defining Values, Vision, and Goals
The first layer of your campaign plan should articulate your vision, values, and overall strategy. This part answers the why and the how of your campaign. Think of this section as the mission statement and guiding principles for your team. It’s where you lay out the purpose of your campaign, your key philosophies, and what success looks like for you and your team.
For example, your plan might define the phases of your campaign—such as learning, improvement, success, and peak performance— and outline the skills and strategies you’ll focus on during each phase. It should also include the key values that drive your approach, such as a commitment to continuous improvement, professional preparation, or leveraging mentors to grow as sailors and as individuals.
Your goal in this section is to provide a foundation for all the specifics that come next. It sets the tone and narrative of your campaign, helping everyone involved understand the bigger picture.
Here is an example of what that might look like for a young team.
2. The Calendar: Creating Specific Action Steps
After establishing your vision and key values, the next step is to map these out on a calendar. This is where your strategic ideas become specific, actionable items. Your calendar should cover key dates such as training blocks, competitions, and recovery periods. However, it’s crucial to be detailed about your time on the water. For example, you should specify what days you plan to sail and for how many hours. This serves as an accountability measure and allows you to track a critical KPI (Key Performance Indicator): hours planned versus hours sailed. Tracking this ratio can give you a strong indication of how closely you’re sticking to your intended schedule and help you identify patterns or challenges to address.
The calendar not only helps you set goals but also provides a framework for evaluating your progress. Even if you’re not ready to plan the entire year in advance, having a clear schedule for the next month shows commitment and helps you engage with coaches or supporters more effectively.
Here is a template to use when creating your calendar.
3. The Budget: Aligning Resources with Priorities
The final pillar of your campaign plan is your budget, which translates the calendar into financial terms. It involves evaluating the expenses associated with all the actions on your calendar and prioritizing how you’ll allocate your resources. The budget reveals what matters most to your team by showing where you’re choosing to spend your money. Whether it’s investing in high-quality sails, travel to key training events, or coaching support, your budget should reflect the strategic priorities outlined in your plan.
Putting a realistic budget together is crucial for two reasons. First, it ensures that you’re making informed decisions about where to invest your time and resources. Second, it helps demonstrate professionalism and foresight when communicating with supporters, sponsors, or fundraising prospects. A solid budget shows that you’re serious about achieving your goals and aware of the commitment required.
Here is a template to start with for budgeting.
You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out Right Away
It’s essential to understand that you don’t need a perfect, four-year plan at the start of your campaign. It’s perfectly fine if you’re only able to plan out the next month or quarter in detail. This initial plan will still go a long way in showing your dedication and thoughtfulness. With even a short-term calendar in hand, coaches and mentors can engage more effectively and align their support with your goals. Over time, as you gain more experience and clarity, you can refine and expand your plan to cover longer time frames.
Putting It All Together: Presenting Your Campaign Plan
When presenting your campaign plan, keep the following points in mind:
Start with the “Why”: Begin by introducing the purpose of your campaign and the inspiration behind it. Talk about your vision, values, and what you aim to achieve, similar to how the Janov brothers outlined their journey by drawing inspiration from their heroes and mentors.
Highlight Your Strategy: Give an overview of your plan’s phases or focus areas for each year of your campaign. Whether your strategy is to start with boat handling and progress to speed work, or whether it’s to master racing tactics through a structured training calendar, make it clear what each phase entails.
Showcase Specifics: Have a calendar ready that outlines your planned training blocks, key regattas, and targeted hours on the water. Be sure to communicate your goals in clear, quantifiable terms, and indicate how you’ll measure your success.
Present a Detailed Budget: Include a budget that aligns with your calendar, highlighting key expenses and investment priorities. Be transparent about what you’ll need to achieve your goals, and outline how you plan to manage your resources.
Acknowledge that Plans Can Change: Be open about the fact that your plan is a working document and may need adjustments over time. Flexibility is key, and being adaptable shows maturity and realism in your approach.
The Path Forward: Commitment, Effort, and Communication
Creating a solid campaign plan is a sign of maturity and professionalism. Even if it’s not perfect at first, having a clear sense of direction will enable you to communicate effectively with coaches, mentors, and supporters. Remember, you don’t need to have everything figured out right away, but having a framework in place shows that you’re committed to the journey.
Ultimately, a campaign plan is more than just a tool for organization—it’s a demonstration of your values, vision, and commitment. It helps you articulate where you’re headed, how you plan to get there, and what resources you need along the way. By focusing on the three pillars—the plan, the calendar, and the budget—you can build a strong foundation for your campaign and take meaningful steps towards achieving your goals.
For more guidance on crafting your own campaign plan, or to see a sample plan in action, check out our Unofficial Skiff Campaign Manual.