Succession, is not a goal; it is a journey.

The road to succession of a family business may be long but there are others there to

1. help,

2. support,

3. guide,

4. reflect.

The natural person with whom you can discuss succession with would be your consigliore.  More about your consigliore here:

Identifying a consigliere?

The most challenging and difficult task is to effect your succession plan by ensuring that your key stakeholders, and most importantly your family, buy into the plan.  This is not a solo effort, especially as you begin to transition out and other transition into the family business.  You should set goals and milestones so that you can measure the progress of your plan.  Then tell others, who form the key players in your succession team, about all or part of the succession plan.

Talk about the plan, not with everyone, just those in whom you can confide and trust implicitly.

…and begin the process

Learn, think, apply.