The management guru, Alan Lakein, made an important observation, "Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now. Failing to plan is planning to fail.’
Why am I sharing this quote with you? I am sharing it with you to stress the importance of planning in relation to you achieving your goals. However the best plan in the world is useless until it's put into action. How well you follow through with your plans—ultimately determines your success.
You only make things happen when you act on your plans and see them through to the end.
Do you have a long list of plans that have never been completed or some have never got off the ground, because you have not even taken the first step?
I will share with you 3 tips to that will help you achieve the outcome you desired.
- YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN. It could be long, intermediate, and short-term plan. This is a road-map or the step you will take to turn your goals into reality.
- WORK THE PLAN! So many people fail to realize their full potential because they give up on their plans too early. To succeed, you have to work your plans hard, and constantly look for better ways to achieve them. “One of my favourite posters in my office contains this timeless quote
by Thomas Edison, 'Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. There is always a way to do things better, it is your job to find it.' " - REMAIN AWARE OF THE RESULTS: How do we know we have the right plan? Trial and error? More planning? Get more information... clarify the vision... get focused... test your assumptions (trial-and-error) ... and communication. Working your plans and remaining aware of the results you are getting is the essence of putting your plans into action. You either get the results you expect, or you keep adjusting until you do. Thus, the planning process is much more important than the plan itself. President/General Dwight D. Eisenhower said it this way, 'In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.'
The challenge is to know when to scrap a plan that has no chance of working and replace it with one you feel has a better chance of producing the success you want. Remember, by working the plan, you gain invaluable experience and information. No longer just a few words written on the page, the plan comes alive with action.
Set a goal, Make a plan, Make it happen, Keep Adjusting Until you get the desired results.
If it works, keep working it. If you can see a better way as you move along, either adjust the plan, or dump it entirely. The key is to always remain focused on the goal. Ultimately, you will find the best route to achievement if you work your plans until you succeed or find a better way!
Master this skill, and the achievement of any goal is just a written plan away.
