CHUNK IT DOWN

I want to work part-time at the employer of my dreams. I want to lose 20kg.  I want to have one million in the bank.  I want to acquire 50 new clients.  These are all goals.  But it is unlikely that any of these goals can be accomplished in a day.  I suppose there are exceptions to any rule – you could win the lottery or buy a database….but let’s stay on track here in the world of reality that most of us live in.

If you want to drive 500 km, you plan out a route on a map, and are likely to include stops along the way.  So what is your map to get to your goal, and what are the mini goals or milestones that you need to hit to stay on track to reach that ultimate “end” goal? – and while I identify it as an “end” goal, it isn’t really (but it is a strong guideline)… as you should always be growing!

Breaking the big goal down into smaller pieces makes for a less daunting day, but also keeps you accountable and on track.  For example, you want to have 50 new clients within a year, what are the ways in which you can get these new clients?  Are there trade shows that you should attend?  Put a schedule together and identify the outside factors that will play into your agenda.  You can’t change dates that others have set, so mark those down.  How will they affect your goal?  Will that event provide you with a large portion of what you need to get contacts?  Make sure that you mark that down and then identify what needs to be done prior to that time so that you maximize the offering that is before you.  You can easily print off a month by month calendar and work around it…you don’t need to buy anything fancy, but you can also treat yourself if that makes you feel better!

So let’s recap:

1. Print out a calendar for your goal time frame
2. Circle the date that you want to accomplish your goal by
3. Break your goal down into at least 4 manageable “chunks” and mark those on the calendar
4. Research events that will happen that are relevant to your goal
5. Mark those on your calendar
6. Identify on the calendar what you need to do – what actions need taken, on specific dates

Do this in pencil, because things will change.  But your ultimate goal will not.  Long term visualization, with short term motivation will give you what you need to stay on track.