So now we can get back to our original point — taking action. Here are the steps that are recommended by the experts. You’ll have a better chance of getting things going if you follow this program:
SET PRIORITIES — Get some paper and a pencil, or whatever you use when you go about writing things down (I use my computer), and list the pro’s and con’s for each activity. Note that it’s not just the count that matters, but the value of each pro and con. For example, if making money is extremely important, that may be enough to counter all the cons for an endeavor, even if making money is the only benefit.
DO REALITY CHECKS — Sometimes we can get a little grandiose and bite off more than we can fit in our mouths. Make sure the things you are considering require only the amount of energy you want to expend and are truly achievable – over-reaching can lead to failure, which can be demotivating. Reality checks can also include visualization. Imagine yourself doing a particular activity day in and day out. Are you enthusiastic about doing it today? How about tomorrow, a month from now, a year from now? Try to picture the kind of effort it will require and the problems you might run into along the way. Can you live with all that?
MAKE DETAILED PLANS — Here is where things often fall apart. Without a real plan, things go nowhere. Write out the specific steps, in all the detail that’s needed, for achieving each goal. Detailed planning will give you a better idea as to whether what you’d like to do is realistic and achievable. Planning should include doing research so you can get some ideas as to how you can turn your interest into something you actually do. Needless to say, take notes and maybe use them as the basis for a business plan. Once the steps are outlined, create a timeline, putting in the dates when each step will be completed. Timelines are essential because they force you to…
SET UP A ROUTINE — Structure and direction come from setting up schedules and routines. One means of doing so is to keep a calendar and the ever popular “to do” list. In this way you’ll treat your activity like your job: a list outlines the tasks ahead of you and a calendar keeps you focused on a schedule. Each morning should start off with a review of your calendar and list so that you will know what the day ahead holds. If should never be full of nothing, unless you’ve given yourself a day off.
JUST DO IT — Apologies for stealing someone else’s tag, but another crucial aspect of planning and goal-setting is seemingly self-evident but often not done: follow through on the plans you make. Without follow-through, planning is just a waste of time. Never fall too far behind your list or calendar, because the further back you fall, the harder it will be to get back on track.
