Commit To Change
What do you want your life and business to look like? What are you committed to changing?
These questions and more can be answered by setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. Goals that you can achieve in a matter of weeks rather than months or years.
Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely (S.M.A.R.T.) goals should be set for your business. How else to do you expect to create an “Executive Action Plan” to help you reach your goals more quickly and easily?
By comparison, “resolution goals” don’t cut the mustard. They are too vague and undefined. They are not “real goals”. If you don’t believe me, compare your list of resolution goals with what I call “S.M.A.R.T. Goals”.
The goals you set for your personal life may be very different from those you set for your business. You may want to spend more time with your family, travel the world and write that novel. That’s great! Just make sure your goals in these areas are SMART so you don’t end up regretting the time you spent with your family or wishing you had spent more time writing that novel. Remember this: Setting goals is easy. Actually accomplishing them is another matter entirely!
Goal setting is important. But, if you don’t have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish, you will always be disappointed with the results you get. So, my friend, if you really want to create an “Executive Action Plan” to help you achieve success, you must first create a detailed Vision Statement describing exactly what you want to accomplish. Let’s get started. What is it you want most in your life? Peace. Well, how about prosperity? More money? A happier and healthier you? All good. But, let’s concentrate on what you really want.
First and foremost you must set a goal that’s truly achievable and it must be something that you really want. Reflect over all areas of your life to determine where you are and where you want to go.
Define your terms! What is “success” to you? How much money do you want to make? Do you just want to be happy? Do you want to be rich? Do you want to lose weight? Stop focusing on the “end result” and start concentrating on the “process”. If you do that, the end result will take care of itself. What exactly do you want to change about your life? Be specific! “I want to lose weight” is not specific. Neither is “I want to be a healthy, wealthy person who has more energy than he knows what to do with.
Make S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Next, write your smart goals for the area’s in your life that you are committed to changing using the S.M.A.R.T goal acronym.
Specific. Measurable. Actionable. Relevant.Timely Goals are your roadmap to achieving those things you want to change in your life and your business. A SMART goal is something you can measure. How will you know if you have achieved it? Will you keep a journal or spreadsheet detailing your progress? Will you track your progress by way of a personal goal tracker? You don’t need fancy gadgets or equipment. In fact, it’s best if you do not have any electronic devices that you must recharge. The reason is that they tend to distract you. They are too “complex”. A paper notebook will do just fine. Now that you’ve set your goals, you need to develop a plan of action.
How will you go about accomplishing these goals? That’s what your action plan is all about! It should include the tactics you will use to achieve your goals. What are some good tactics? I’m glad you asked. Here are 15-tactics you can use to help you achieve your goals:
1. Write your vision statement.
2.Write your mission statement.
3. Write your values statement.
4. Develop your vision board.
5. Start your goals tracker.
6. Make your list of goals.
7. Start your plan of action.
8. Develop your list of tactics.
9. Set your timelines.
10. Develop your action plan.
11. Take your first step.
12. Create your list of rewards.
13. Write down a strategy for change.
14. Develop your accountability partners.
15. Write your goal review.
You can use one or more (or all) of these tactics to help you reach your goals. The choice is yours. But, do something!
What specific steps will you take to accomplish your goals? Will you make a special effort to attend a seminar? Will you read a certain book? Will you work out at the gym five days a week for the next year? Whatever you decide, make it “concrete” and “specific”.
Once you know what you’re going to do, set a deadline for when you are going to do it. Will it be next month? Next year?
Take some time to reflect on where you are and where you want to be. Set your big hairy audacious goals for this year. Write them down and divide them into manageable bit-sized pieces you can share with a trusted mentor. And don’t forget to celebrate your wins.