To be clear, having a plan does not mean having a goal. Many individuals have goals, such as getting a new job, increasing their income, or reducing weight, yet according to the study, 92% of them will fail if they don't have a strategy to achieve their goals. What do 8% of the successful know that the rest of us are not supposed to? They realized that “a goal without a strategy is only a desire.”
What are the advantages of planning?
When you want to take a path that takes you directly to a better life, it may seem like making a plan is going to be annoying. However, whether you're on a journey, getting a promotion, or starting a new company, walking in strange ways becomes easier when you have a plan.
4 Distinct advantages of planning:
1. Increasing productivity:
You are less likely to suffer from “analytic paralysis” if you know how to move from one stage to another, where preparation keeps avoiding spending energy on things that aren't needed, and as author, Brian Tracy puts it, “every minute invested in planning saves up to ten minutes in execution.”
2. Increasing concentration:
Planning allows you to focus on the work you do because you know what you need to accomplish today and why, giving you a sense of control by showing you what you can change and what is out of your control.
3. Increasing self-confidence:
If your goals always seem out of reach , it may be because you haven't developed an effective strategy to achieve them, and you'll be surprised at how much you can achieve if you have one in place.
4. Increasing self-awareness by making a plan:
It is the first step towards self-understanding, as it helps determine your interests and priorities and whether they apply to your real values. You have come to discover your own tendencies and the things you prefer and do not prefer.
5. When you create a plan:
you create a roadmap to move from where you are now to where you want to be in the future, as it transforms your goal from a fantasy to a reality.
How to create a practical strategy?
Now that you understand the importance of having a plan, here are three actions you can take to lay your foundation for action:
1. Make a list of your goals:
Write down your goal after you've decided it. Dr. Jill Matthews (Dr. Gail Matthews of the Dominican University of California said writing the goal boosts your chances of achieving it by 42%, so start visualizing your ultimate goal and imagine it in your head to feel it and taste the taste of success. By using smart goal criteria to set goals, set them in as much detail as possible:
First: Accuracy
The following questions reduce your goal: “Who, what, when, where, and why;” that is, describe your definition of success and the steps you are willing to take to achieve it.
Second: Measurability
What metrics will you use to track your progress? For example, if you want to save money, how much should you cut back on your spending? Paulo Coelho once said, “No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.”
Third: Achievement potential
Do you have the talent to achieve your goal? If you don't have it, can you get it? This is not meant to trigger feelings of depression in you. Instead, it should encourage you to set realistic goals and seek help if needed.
Fourth: Being relevant to your business
Is this really the goal you want? Is it aligned with your larger goals? Using the Swiss PDP Approach to create a “map of life” can help you learn about the things that really matter to you.
Fifth: Time is of the essence
When you finish your task, if there is no deadline, there will always be more time, then no sense of urgency. Setting a deadline encourages you to act now before it's too late.
2. Make a plan by dividing your goal into parts:
Setting your goal is an essential first step. However, great targets can be intimidating, and you may feel as if you don't know how to reach them. Unfortunately, then many individuals lose. After you know where you're going, break your goal into pieces, and decide where you should be in one year if your goal is to create a profitable company in two years. How much can I achieve in six months? What about next week?
Make a strategy that divides your goal into small and gradual steps, make a list of each step, and set a deadline to complete it. The mountain you rise will not scare you if you climb it step by step, and when you wake up every morning, you know exactly what you need to accomplish and why. Also, once you wake up every day, say your goal out loud, as it is a great way to set your goal for today and keep your attention where it should be; that is, on your plan and specific tasks that will bring you closer to your target.
Set aside time to celebrate each “part” of your strategy when it is achieved. It is an opportunity to congratulate yourself on your achievements and rethink your strategy: is it still possible? Are there any changes you need to make? Refocusing on your goal will remind you why you started in the first place and will provide you with much-needed energy.
3. Talk to someone you trust:
Tell a friend about your plan. Having someone to hold you accountable can help you stay motivated when it's easy to give up. It has to be someone you can count on in difficult times and along with your goal.
Look at your daily and weekly calendars to make sure you're making the most of your time. Achievements aren't accidental. They're the result of thoughtful preparation and a strong desire to succeed. You'll be surprised at how much motivation you'll have after you've developed a solid strategy to achieve your goals. So, success is simply a matter of time.
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