During this time of the year, many of us reflect on what happened last year and what we would like to happen for the coming year. Normally, we think about doing more exercise, losing weight, working harder and reaching new goals and objectives.
Often it is an exercise which we perform mentally during the holidays. We have the best intentions and when we are creating our ideal year, it sounds easy and we are excited about the prospects of the coming year. We return to work and start back on our routine and, in many cases, it’s like waking up after a night of too much eating and drinking. 
The “hangover” that we wake up to is accompanied by work that has accumulated during time off. We think, “This is crazy! What was I thinking about when I made these new resolutions and goals?” If we don’t accompany our goals and objectives with action, it is likely that the wonderful thoughts we have will become nothing more or less than an unaccomplished dream.
What are the steps that we can take to assure that we don’t carry out the exact same exercise with similar results next January?
In most cases, we already know the answers. Most of us have read or heard about the steps we need to take to establish goals. We know that they must be attainable, that we should write them down, break them into smaller goals and take action. Taking action is, however, most often the difference between accomplishing or failing in our goals and objectives.
How can we establish powerful goals with an action plan?
1) Write down our goals and objectives
There is nothing more powerful than writing down our goals and objectives on a piece of paper. Our mind is a magnificent machine that is capable of creating incredible ideas but until we put our ideas in black and white, the ideas continue to be only a dream. When we see what we desire in writing, our goals and objectives take on a new dimension. We are able to adjust, modify and analyze that which we most desire.
2) Establish a time frame to achieve our goals and objectives
When we fix a date to our goals and objectives, our mind begins to work on the task at hand. We begin consciously and unconsciously to develop that which we must do to accomplish our objectives within the stipulated time frame. Sharing the information with others who are interested or involved in our goals makes the exercise even more powerful. There will always be someone who will tell us, “So what’s going on? What about the goals we talked about?”
3) Create an action plan
Regardless of how difficult a particular goal may be, it is always possible to break it down into smaller steps. Most often, the first steps are the most difficult to take. It’s like a baby who is learning to walk. The first few steps that a baby takes are tough, but once they start walking, we can’t stop them! The first step in our case might be a phone call, a letter or an e-mail. It may involve doing some research to better understand what is needed to accomplish the objective. When we define what needs to be done it is like having a recipe for success. Without the recipe it’s possible that we just may happen to stumble upon our objectives but when we follow our action plan we greatly increase the odds of reaching our goals.
4) Take action
We can write down our goals, establish dates for completion and create an action plan but without action we are stuck. Many goals which are postponed until “next year” are the victims of inaction. We create a brilliant plan but fail to take action. It’s a fact that if we fail to take action within 24 hours of creating a goal, that our chances of achieving it are reduced considerably. The best time to take any action is right now!
5) Persevere
Achieving our goals and objectives normally involves creating new habits and routines. Not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. We all have a habitual way of carrying out our daily activities. Normally our routines involve handling problems and challenges at work and at home. When we add another piece to this wonderful jigsaw puzzle that we call life, everything gets much more complicated. Scientific studies have shown that it takes 21 days to create a new habit and only five days to lose it. The ability to confronting challenges and persevere in the face of adversity have been the hallmark of those who have attained important objectives in their lives.
Finally, we should dream and believe in our capacity to create. Anatole France said:
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream. Not only plan but also believe.”
We all possess the tools and knowledge to achieve our goals and objectives. If we write down in black and white what we desire, establish a definite time frame for completion, create an action plan, take action and persevere in the face of difficulty, we will attain all that desire!
∞ Rob McBride ∞
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