In my work as a facilitator of peer group meetings and working with companies onsite, I always stress the importance of taking all the input generated for a company and turning it into a plan, an Action Plan.
Recently, a member of a Remodelers Advantage Roundtable Group that I facilitated sent to the group a short list of his takeaways. His intent was to get out of his way and make the changes he knew needed to happen.
I wrote the following to help him get more specific [names have been changed]:
Tim,
Get super clear about the Action Plan you mentioned. Crystal clear. Break the big things into small actions, each with a deadline and who is responsible for making it happen/getting it done.
Make each goal:
- Smart
- Measurable
- Actionable
- Realistic
- Timely
Organize the actions this way:
- Owner
- Marketing
- Sales
- Design
- Estimating
- Production
- Administration
Prioritize the goals in each category. Do the ones in each category that will bring the most value soonest, once achieved. Once done, move them to the bottom of your spreadsheet so you can celebrate getting them done.
Put the plan up on a wall, per what Cindy suggested. Keep private the few things that you might not want to share with everybody. Meet monthly with somebody who can hold you accountable/who you are afraid to disappoint.
Get rid of “try” and “focus on” and use “do,” per Harry. Language is powerful.
You can do this! After all, Tim, all you are talking about is living the future you want, instead of being a prisoner of the past. You ARE worth achieving that.
When Nina and I worked together, we did exactly what I am describing. We would not have achieved the level of success we did if we did not follow these instructions.
Life is what you do. It is not what you wanted to do but never did. No one else can do what needs to be done except for you. So, what do you do now?