It’s time to create more than wishes and dreams! Think about creating a grocery list. You write down what you need, and if you know the store you are going to, often you will write the list in the order in which the products are stocked. We all do this. We usually know what store we are going to and where it is. We also have a plan to get there and get home again. We plan to take our reusable shopping bags. We then go to the store, get what we need and perhaps notice an item that was not on the list but you need so you put it in your cart and move on. You bring your items to the checkout counter, know how you plan to pay, (cash, credit/debit card) collect your bagged items, go to whatever mode of transportation you plan to take home and perhaps make more stops along the way for other items on your list. Then you get home; put your groceries and other items away and life moves on.
That’s it! That is having a goal, creating a plan of action, and seeing it through. That wasn’t too difficult was it? Because this is a type of process you do lots of times every day unconsciously with different venues, you rarely think of it as the same process you put in place when creating a goal, a plan of action, and following through. And because no two people are internally wired in exactly the same way, we don’t have the same Inner Systems for dealing with life, our thought process and behaviors are all different, so there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to creating goals and seeing them through.
I wanted to give you some ideas to sample as you think about this interesting process, in an effort to find what works uniquely best for you:
- Write down one goal at a time. It may take several tries before you come up with a winner.
- Get specific and crystal clear about the details. I want to set up a specific, well organized space in which to do business with all the tools I will need in their proper place so everything is at my fingertips.
- Decide what it is you want and why you want it. You can start by telling yourself what you don’t want only if you use it as a tool to help you weed through the possibilities to find the treasure you are looking for.
- You must believe your goals are achievable. You goal is not a wish or dream. Your goal has to be realistic and in line with your abilities and talent.
- No process is or ever could be perfect, so don’t wait until you feel you have everything in place and feel safe before you dive in.
- Make a real commitment to achieving your goal. You can expect failure and know that is only feedback and helps you get back on track. Even the “big boys” experience this.
- Be consistent. Create what works for just you and stick to it. You can look for the parts within someone else’s plan that works for you, but don’t just blindly follow someone else’s plan. Make it work for you.
- Believe you are equipped and ready to acquire and receive what you are asking for.
- Experience is always the best teacher. If something doesn’t work, take the time to notice if there is anything worth saving within the experience you have just had. Find the lesson and move on.
Start using this process as you prepare for your summer programs. What to take – clothing, music, etc. How do you want others to remember you – beef up your Personal Brand whether it is used in public or out on the town at night with your friends. Be proud of your accomplishments and behavior. Remember success is a choice – you must decide what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it. No one else can, will, or should do that for you. Avanti!
