Making it Happen

December 2, 2011

Insights and Ideas for Success 

If you answered no, you are not alone. Statistics suggest that most people don’t accomplish the goals they set for themselves. In fact, roughly 70 percent fail to achieve the goals they set. Perhaps that’s because the same survey found that only 20 percent regularly review their goals. In other words, goals get forgotten and, in some cases, cease to exist at all.

With all of the data suggesting inertia is working against you the very moment you create a goal or an intention, I thought this would be a good time to discuss “Making it Happen.” This is about action and implementation.

The first thing that’s important to grasp is that every time you create a meaningful goal, you must engage in a change process to make it happen. I do a lot of work with my clients to help them navigate change for success, and if any stage is skipped it reduces the possibility of a successful outcome. Let’s start here:

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND 

As strange as that sounds, it’s a key success factor to Making it Happen. Have a very clear idea of the big picture you want for your business and for you. I call this “Big Picture Context”. It contains two important things:

1. Where you want your business to be in three years’ time (e.g., revenue, impact, reputation, size, etc.).

2. What you love to do and want to do more of on a daily basis (e.g., creating ideas, project management, writing, speaking engagements, etc.).

Do This Next:

1. Think about the answers to 1 and 2 above. Brainstorm your thoughts, collage images, or ask someone to interview you. Any of those methods will give you a result which is important information. Say it out loud. How does it feel? If it scares you in any way, you are probably on to something.

2. Write it down, print it out, and put it by your desk. Read it first thing before you begin your work day.

3. After seven days, ask yourself the following questions:

o Did this past week move me closer (even by a hair) to where I want my business to be in three years?
o How much of what I did in this past week was a reflection of what I love to do?

4. Take relevant notes to reflect your insights from question #3.

5. Keep these thoughts handy and keep taking the next step to Making it Happen.

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