mytropicalescape.com

The year 2007 is just about done and in the books, which means we will all get to start over in 2008 with a clean slate and a new set of goals. This is truly fantastic because a lot of times goals can be like fresh produce! For the first couple of days they are all sweet smelling and perfect, with no flaws or blemishes. But, as time moves on the fruit (like some goals) becomes spoiled and eventually goes rotten. Only to be thrown in the dumpster, or tossed in the trash.

image source: twenty5pics

How many plans have you tossed in the trash?

I read some really great articles this year about ‘how to achieve success’ and almost every author stated that you have to create a viable and executable plan. However, most did not elaborate on what constitutes a good plan, so I am going to describe my general planning process here.

Really, this is the next evolution in my continuing series of articles as you work to seek personal freedom and remove yourself from a negative situation.

For some, a viable plan needs to be an actual written set of suggested activities with definable dates, milestones, and a predetermined project life cycle. While I do agree with this technique I have never really written down my plans, instead I prefer to visualize success.

Using visualization as a tool for achieving successful plan

Whether I am looking to make a life change (like escaping the cubicle ), improve my blog, or even lose some weight I believe that I have more success if I concentrate my energy on visualizing the steps that are required to see my plans through to fruition.

As opposed to the standard recommendation of writing down every minute detail. Specifically, I find if I can navigate the plan visually in my mind then I don’t necessarily need to have all of the steps to success written down, which can also lead to great flexibility.

In most cases, plans are long term beasts and not short term animals . Successful completion of plans, on any level, require:

• Hard work
• Persistence
• Dedication

Here is my blueprint for a successful plan.

When I was just about ready to complete my term of service in the Peace Corps I realized that if I did not acquire appropriate technical skills I would most likely suffer in the job market when it came time to look for employment. Listed below is my typical ‘plan creating process’ which should go hand in hand with the three items listed above.

Blueprint for planning success STEP 1: Define your problem
You cannot create a viable plan if you have not accurately defined your problem. For me, it was a lack of technical skills, but for others, especially during this time of year, it might be weight loss, or to quit a dead end job.

Once I defined the problem it was easy for me to create the goal, which when completed would allow me to overcome my technical shortcomings.

Blueprint for planning success STEP 2: Identify your goal
With my problem now defined it was rather easy to create the goal. To overcome my technical deficiency I decided to pursue a Masters degree in a technical field (Geographic Information Systems) while undertaking studies in an academic field (Geography and International Development) that I would be passionate about.

If you prefer the weight loss example here is where you would determine how many pounds (or kilos) you would like to lose (e.g. 50 pounds).

Blueprint for planning success STEP 3: Formulate the process
For me, once I have a problem and a goal identified I begin to formulate the processes and steps that will be required for me to achieve success. In the case of graduate school (for the Masters degree) I started to analyze whether my grades were good enough for acceptance, if I needed to take any standardized tests, and how much this was going to cost me (i.e. financial analysis)?

If you are following the weight loss example now is when you would start thinking about how you will reduce caloric intake and what type of exercise routine you might enjoy.

Blueprint for planning success STEP 4: Take action
OK - After you have defined your problem, identified your goal, and formulated your process, it is now time to take action . Now was the time when I started applying to graduate schools, attending interviews, and of course, getting accepted into various programs.

As far as weight loss plan and goal is concerned, now is the time to make the commitment and get out there and exercise more and eat less (the only true way to lose weight!).

Have I missed anything? What do you do to ensure that a plan is completed successfully?