At the “Taking Your Dreams from Design to Destiny” Conference on Jan. 15, 2011 participants were given an opportunity to go through the 7 steps below to create a draft of their Success Plan to take it to the next level in 2011! We started on 1.12.11 with step 1 (see below post dated 1.12.11). Over the next several weeks I am going to continue to share the SEVEN Practical Steps to achieving your goals and ultimately your Vision of Success. This week we are on Step 5. Updates will occur on Wednesdays in celebration of Women Owned Business Wednesdays.
SEVEN Practical Steps to Achieving Your Goals
Step 1-Find and Clarify your Vision of Success
Step 2-Define Your Goals Clearly
Step 3-See/Visualize Yourself Achieving Your Goals/Vision of Success
Step 4-Make a Clear Plan With a Timeline
Step 5-Chart your Progress
Step 6-Enjoy Your Success!
Step 7-Give Back.
This Week’s Step: #-5- Chart your Progress
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said “Heights by great men (and woman) reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight but, while their companions slept, they were toiling upward in the night.”
It is important to establish a time to check your progress. Pick a day once a week or once a month and read your plan and see if you are on schedule. If you need to change something do so, and be realistic. If something has changed and you no longer have as much time as you did when you wrote your plan then you need to change your plan. Also be honest with yourself. Visions and goals can change. If you find that you no longer really want this thing do not be afraid to change your plan. When you achieve one goal on your plan give yourself a treat. If this week you were supposed to complete 2 loan applications and you did then reward yourself with something you enjoy like going to the park or the movies.
If you did not achieve a weekly goal, for example, do not beat yourself up. Think about what might have stopped you and how you might prevent this from happening next week. Could you accomplish this goal later? If so then just move the goal to the next week and try again. Don’t be discouraged. If your plan is making you feel frustrated or too pressured then give yourself a bit more time.
Try these Success Coaching Exercises…
Get a Goal Buddy
Many experts suggest setting goals with a buddy, someone to share your plans with and who will help you check your progress. For example you could tell your buddy that you will read one book by Friday and she may need to do one job application by that same day. Then call each other and ask if you have done the task. Talk about why or why not and encourage each other to keep going and reward your success with compliments and encouragement.
Book Ending
Just pick a friend, doesn’t have to be an established “goal buddy” just call them up and tell them you are committing to taking a certain step or action toward your vision or goal. Tell them when you are going to do it and then call them back after you have accomplished the goal. It’s a shorter term exercise and you don’t need to have a goal buddy who is always the same…just pick any friend who you know supports your visions.
If you have a comment or question drop me a line at Dr.Cutts@nicolecutts.com
Much Continued Success & Well Being,
Nicole
Nicole Cutts, Ph.D., CEO
Vision Quest Retreats & Cutts Consulting, LLC
Are you a Woman Business Owner? Check out Women Owned Business Wednesdays!
