Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed or spinning in circles? Perhaps too many ideas and too little results? Whether it is a business deal, schoolwork, home project or financial planning, it’s a great time to step back, evaluate and re-write your goals.
In this article, we help you to thrive with 5 key action steps. But before even jumping into these 5 key action steps, ask yourself what has worked and what hasn’t in pertaining to your goal. Be honest with yourself. Look at numbers, talk with people and use all appropriate resources to gather relevant information. Don’t just use your own gut instincts. Ask your ego to step aside and get real, verifiable data as the basis for your vision, beliefs and action plan.
Next, reflect on how you got to where you are in this very moment. Think of lessons and information you learned through every step: the ones that propelled you higher, the ones that made you stronger and the ones you learned to steer clear of for future success. See every step on your path as an important moment for either winning or learning. This is an essential mindset for success.
Are you ready to thrive in 5? Let’s go.
Step 1. What do you want?
Pick one focused goal. Use the classic ‘SMART’ goal writing strategy to organize your goal as specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
Step 2. What evidence will prove you have attained your goal?
For example, a promotion, certificate, accomplishment either seen or unseen.
Step 3. What impact will achieving your goal have in your life?
List the pros, cons and potential risks to yourself, family, team, community, etc.
Step 4. What resources are necessary for you to achieve this goal?
List the ones you currently have access to first and then expand into additional resources you may need to reach outside of your immediate contacts and comfort zone.
Step 5. What daily activities are necessary to achieve and maintain your goal?
Start a daily checklist of action items that can be measured as complete, work in progress or no longer necessary. Be sure to include specific people, timelines or events for accountability. Some of these items may impact the immediate timeline, while other action items will be geared toward securing and maintaining the longevity of your success.
Use these 5 steps to thrive in a variety of personal and professional pursuits. Start to become very clear about what you want and very specific about how you will attain it. Give yourself grace and humor as you navigate your path. Also give yourself freedom to be flexible, as long as you stay focused and committed to your goals. Commit to an accountability person or team for regular check-ins. Success takes a team and is rarely achieved by oneself. Success also requires sacrifice of other activities, energies and pursuits in order to thrive. Now go, select what you want in life.
Achieve your goals and enjoy the life of your dreams.
