Powerful Change for 2018: You Don’t Need More Goals, You Need….

[No Fluff 3 Minute Read + Action Steps]

Readers:

Today’s quick read is for implementers and action takers. If that’s you, let’s rock and roll.

Are you reflecting on your commitments you made  around this time one year ago? How did you do?

If you’re like most, you might find yourself wondering what happened to the goals you made, and why some(or all) of them fell short.

If I could shoot from the hip for a moment, I would tell you one of the key reasons you didn’t accomplish the goals you set out to accomplish was because you didn’t have a PLAN – all you had were goals.

Goals are not enough. What would benefit you the most are what we call PROJECTS.

This post is about converting your goals into projects. When you have projects, you’re proactive in working on them, because you’ve set out timelines, milestones, strategies and more.

SO…If you’d like to actually create the change or growth you were seeking then and now, this powerful concept and action plan is for you…

If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Why am I not accomplishing my goals” its probably because your goal is simply what you’ve already unconsciously condemned it as: a goal. A goal is a wish, a hope, a dream, and nothing more.

“I want to lose 20 lbs”
“I want to receive a 20% raise”
“I want to lead generate to 100 new clients this month”

Stating these goals out loud has done nothing but rob precious oxygen from your lungs and time from your day.

If your “goal” means anything to you, it’s time to convert that goal into something more powerful and actionable: a project.

Here are the above goals converted into projects:
“I’m going to work out and eat right every day till I lose 20 lbs”
“I’m going to bring more value to my employer so I will be more deserving of a 20% raise”
“I will call 5 local businesses per day until I have successfully marketed to 100””

Projects aren’t wishes, hopes or dreams – they are living, breathing points of FOCUS and specific ACTION.

A strategy I’ve used for years now to help people get from “GOAL” to “GAIN” is called “Project B&E”

Project Breakdown and Execution.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Determine if your goal is important to you. If it is, and your 100% committed to it, refer to it now as a “Project” and move on to step 2.

Step 2: Determine your deadline in number of work days until completion. Projects without deadlines are goals that accidentally get done at some point, or never – usually never.

Step 3: Breakdown and write out every actionable step it’s going to take to complete your project.

Step 4: Divide what you determined in Step 2 by Step 1. Now you have the number of actionable Items to complete per day, based on your deadline for the project.
Example: 50 Actionable Steps DIVIDED BY 10 days = 5 steps per day for 10 days.

Step 5: Get out your calendar, and add a calendar event every day(linearly, minus days off) for the amount of days you need to finish your project.

Label each calendar event as follows:

[Project Name]: Day [#/Total # of Days]: [Title of Step] (See example below my one of my calendars)

In the “notes” section of the calendar event, write out specifically what you’re going to complete that day.

The first thing you do EACH DAY once you’ve begun your work day, is what’s contained in that day’s calendar event.

Repeat steps 1-5 for every important project in your life and I promise you you’ll get more done, and feel better while you do it.

Goals that are actually important to you get achieved through intentionality strategies like this produce. All others that do not, are simply not as important as you’d like to think.

Thank you for reading! May you be Blessed.

Austin

PS – Did you know this article can be found on The Huffington Post? Check it out here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/58529543e4b0bae8bdcba321?timestamp=1486127411450

PPS – If you’re in the “action taking” mood and want to dial in some clarity around the VISION for your life for THE NEW YEAR and beyond, check out my latest, 100% free and strategy-packed course VISION: 7 Days to Clarity.

It’s super simple, delivered by email, with clear and powerful videos and daily action guides.

Austin J. Holt
Business Coach & Mentor
a@austinjholt.com