Goals . . . Plans . . . Actions

You must have goals, plans to achieve them, and take the actions necessary to make them happen if you are to receive the important things you want.

You do this all the time without thinking too much consciously about it when the process is not too involved or complicated.

When what you want is something bigger, more involved or complicated or takes longer, however, you need to document and formalize your intentions.

Going to the grocery store takes some thought and a checklist to do it effectively and efficiently; taking a two week ski vacation may require a bit more; a trip to the moon requires volumes of intentions and instructions before anyone turns a bolt.

For lots of reasons, some people find it much easier than others to organize and write this all down.

Others groan and procrastinate.

If you want to increase the likelihood you will actually get something or somewhere worthwhile, you need to know where you are now, where you want to be, and how you will get there.

Without a lot of superfluous verbage about how lofty this all is, here is what these terms mean and what the process is.

GOALS

Think of them as destinations, some places you want to go from here (you'll need to have a grasp on where you are now first!)

They represent your undestanding of what is important to you.

You should be able to explain your desires and intentions to someone else. This is one reason why it is so important to be able to commit them to writing.

Imagine them; see them and feel them. Until you are able to do this, they are not yet real to you.

PLANS

These represent your acceptance of your goals.

You have identified where you are headed; now you are outlining the directions for getting from where you are now to where you want to be.

Writing specific plans is like saying you really intend to go someplace, and that "somewhere" is real; and you are further declaring you believe your goals are worthwhile and attainable.

ACTION STEPS

These (including schedules and responsibilities) represent your resolve and commitment to achieve.

For each plan, there must be a series of detailed and written action steps deliniating exactly what must be done, when it must be accomplished, and who will do it.

EXECUTION

This is your disciplined work; or the "do" in Nike's "Just Do It"

Once you have goals, plans and actions written, you are just about ready for ignition and "take off"

The difference now, though, is you know and understand where you are going (even see and feel); you know exactly what to do at each step, turn and fork along the way; and you accept your mission, believe in it and are commited to it.

FLY

This is the fun and exileration. Enjoy the ride.

....home page ....visualize your goals