Following on from my previous newsletter (see below) here is the next instalment of 15 things I've learnt about human beings and success in 3,500 hours.

No. 3 Plans and Strategies Make Your Action More Effective

You've probably heard the saying 'Fail to Plan - Plan to Fail'. Things do happen at times even though we don't have a strategic plan written down but putting some planning into our goals certainly increases the potential for success. Every successful business knows that. The person who is called an overnight success knows that is really true there has been months possibly years of planning and strategizing.

Let me share with you the Goal Planning strategy we use in the Dare to be Your Best 12 week coaching program.

1. Write a S.M.A.R.T goal.  The first thing we do is ensure the goal is Specific (ie not a general goal like loose weight or save money but loose 6 kilos or save $3000). Next step is ensure the goal is Measurable. In other words you can see your progress and measure your performance because you have a step by step strategy. The 'A' stands for Attractive. It has to be something you really want to do or otherwise you will run out of motivation. 'R' stands for Realistic. Your goal must be something which is achievable and in a time frame that is realistic. Finally 'T' is for Time Framed. That means you will start achieving your goal on a particular day and know exactly what day it will be completed. There will also be dates for each individual step.
2. Benefits of achieving the goal. This helps with the 'A' in S.M.A.R.T. Steps 2 and 3 make your goal even more attractive as you think of all the additional benefits of achieving your goal. They could be learning, more motivated, more confident, sense of pride etc.
3. Consequences of not achieving your goal. These are things you will want to avoid. Such as failure, stress, struggle, embarrassment etc. For some people these are even more motivating than the list of benefits.
4. What 3 obstacles could get in the way of you achieving your goal. Listing these prepares you and makes you aware of why you may not have followed through previously. Obstacles could be such things as fear, lack of knowledge, procrastination, poor time management, allowing others priorities to be more important than mine.
5. Two ways of overcoming each obstacle. This little extra piece of forethought prepares you so you don't quit or get sidetracked.
6. Write up your step by step strategy with target dates. Just like when you plan a trip away there will be various things you must do before you actually leave, (Eg. Research, budget, book, pay deposit, get visa or passport, final payment, pack suitcases etc etc.), there are individual steps that will take you progressively to the completion of your goal. Write them down and know what day they will be done by. Stick to it.
   

If you follow this simple plan and strategy you are GAURANTEED success with every goal in life whether they be financial, career, health or some other personal goal.

When you're:

• to discover personal empowerment
• strategic planning in your finances, social life, health, career
• greater understanding of your journey or self discovery
• to increase performance in your job or business
• clarity and accountability around goal setting
• to bring your life into balance
• to understand your life purpose, mission and vision
• assistance with time management and decision making
• to identify and change the self-limiting beliefs that hold you back
• to increase your salary or reduce the stress of finances
• to clarify your values and beliefs and find out what will truly fulfil you