“Set your goals high, and don’t stop till they become a reality.” – Bo Jackson

So if you took the time to consider, and set some SMART goals, now we must put together a game plan to map out the means to reach those goals.

The first thing I recommend is to prioritize your goals in WRITING.  It is pretty difficult to achieve goals in every area of your life at the same time.  So it makes sense to place your goals in order of importance, and by time frame of the goal.  Obviously the short term goals are achieved first, and in many cases multiple short term goals are necessary to attain your longer term goals.

Once you have prioritized your goals, you must develop the written steps necessary to accomplish your goals.  Let me give you an example of what we are talking about to make this simpler.  I would ask yourself a series of questions to clarify the steps you need to accomplish.

Your goal is to get a better job.
Why?  Because you will never be able to provide for your family, and life the kind of life you desire with your current job.
Do you need more education for a better job?  Yes you do, at least an associate degree.
Community college or online school?  Based on your current work schedule it is impossible to attend classes, so online only option.
What schools offer online classes?  Locate the schools offering your classes and speak with them about costs.
How to pay for school?  Speak to college about financial aid.  How many classes are required per semester?

I could go on with the questions that need to be answered as you work through the goal setting, and achievement process.  After working through the questions that pertain to your goal, it is crucial that you run your plan by someone else to give you input/critique.  The word crucial is bold to emphasize the importance of this step.  There is much wisdom in having someone attempt to shoot holes in your plan, you want a bulletproof plan to reach your goals that has been looked at from every angle.

Break the plan into written, clear steps that can be worked on regularly and crossed out when they are completed.  At any moment you should know what step you are on, what steps you have already accomplished, and what the next step is.  No vagueness, only clear concise steps that take you to your goals.

This may seem like a lot of work… because it is.  Failing requires no work, no plan, no extra effort.  Success requires you to do what most people will not do, but in the end it is well worth it!  Find a mentor or accountability partner who will push you and go out there and do it.

Dave