Many people spend a lot if time running around trying to get something done. But Covey had it right: “Begin with the end in mind”. It has been said that if you don’t know where you are going, any direction you choose to travel will do. Unfortunately starting out without knowing what it is you are working toward does not tend to be fulfilling. Develop a clear idea of what you want to accomplish; “I don’t know” typically won’t do. Until this is decided you cannot be sure your time and money will be spent wisely on achieving anything. It also becomes difficult to explain to others what you want and how they can assist. Developing your idea typically requires hard work; clear thinking and understanding. Once you have clarity on the characteristics of what you want to achieve, develop an overall description of what it is.
Eat the elephant one spoon at a time. Break your goal into manageable activities; manageable is dependent on capability and understanding. Consider how easily each value can be understood and kept track of. The activities should be such that they are achievable in nominal time durations that are foreseeable. This allows focus and a start and an end. Each of the tasks should have very specific characteristics that can be measured and achieved and are in line with achieving the goal. Execute the tasks in a logical order, moving from one to the next. Try to close each before starting another to continue to allow focus. In some cases durations may be such that there is a start and wait phase and therefore some things may be better started to allow concurrent activity.
Celebrate the wins. As progress is made, this should be easy to do if the tasks are finite and measurable and will make the overall activity more enjoyable. This sounds simple, but for most people the good stuff takes care of itself and the focus is only on the problems.
Take time to review. Are the activities completed and those planned still aligned with achieving the intended goal? If not, make corrections to the plan. Also remember that you may learn along the way that the end you selected needs to be modified or is no longer valid. If that happens, leave the possibility open that your description may need to change or that a win in the new environment looks like stopping the current plan and avoiding any additional spending toward a lost cause.
Earned value. Finally, it is worthwhile to note that anything worth having typically requires work and the satisfaction earned. A commitment to the goal and a clear understanding of what is desired will be required to get through the rough spots you will encounter along the way. Reviewing your goals, assessing your plans and aligning your next steps with a purpose will allow you to achieve those things you are committed to.
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