You have done the work to create your goals. You have them written down and know why they are important.
For years, this is about as far as I got. Mostly, my goals sat on a shelf and collected dust.
My goals failed because I didn’t take action. I was busy, working, but I didn’t work on my goals.
Today, I know how to move my goals from a written idea to reality.
Let me share four things you can do to increase your chances of moving your goals forward.
Once you have your goal, figure out your milestones over the next 90 days.
Then map out how you will move from where you are today to the next milestone. What steps do you need to take? What is the path from point A to point B?
In our planning workshops, I tell everyone that your goal is your destination. However, you have to create your google map to show you how to get there.
Your map will not be perfect. But it will be good enough to help you get going.
You will hit roadblocks, obstacles, and detours along the way, but your map still provides you with general direction. You will also revisit/refresh your map quarterly.
The map is so important, but few people will take the time to create it. Sure it takes a tiny bit of time upfront, but it will save you so much time later.
I recommend mapping your steps out over the 13 weeks of a quarter. This way, you know what to do and when.
The map is key to the following three steps.
Before I became an entrepreneur, I was a controller for a national insurance company. My team was known for delivering our items on time and with accuracy, and this included both our goals, projects, and those items we were responsible for.
When I became an entrepreneur, I struggled to do the same thing.
Today, I understand that one of the biggest reasons was that I lost accountability partners.
As an accountant, I held my team accountable. While my co-workers, other departments, and my bosses held me accountable.
It’s hard to hold yourself accountable.
Find a way to build accountability. Perhaps you will join an accountability group like the one Acuity Path offers. Maybe you will look for an accountability partner (make sure it doesn’t become a social event only).
Your map is excellent for accountability. You know your steps; ask your accountability members to hold you accountable to your map.
You have your map, and you have accountability partners. It’s time to move to the next step.
The only way a goal will happen is if you take action.
The best way I know how to take action is to plan for action.
I build my goals into my systems and habits. Systems and habits that have me planning my week. I start with a list of things I can do. This list includes items to move my goals forward, success activities, and miscellaneous to-do’s. I then prioritize them. Then start to schedule them in my week.
It sounds like a lot of work, but because I have my map and my success activities in advance, it only takes about 30 minutes at the end of my day on Friday.
Then during the week, I work on the most important activities.
I will admit I’m not the best at setting rewards.
However, I love seeing the pink highlighter on my map as I move my goals along. I like closing off my success activities when they are done.
This sense of accomplishment is my reward.
I also write down my wins each day and each week. When I meet with my business partner for our weekly update meeting, we first share “good news” items. Celebration is a part of my systems and habits.
For you, this might not be enough. Or maybe you need a different motivator. Find what works for you and implement it. We all need to celebrate regularly.
Do you have another way that you increase your chances of success? I’d love to know if you do, and I’d even likely try it.
Take action: success is not guaranteed but inaction will guaranty failure.Ken Poirot
Take action: success is not guaranteed but inaction will guaranty failure.
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