Jeff’s Journal
By Jeff Whitaker
I don’t know about you, but for me motivation isn’t enough. It’s a help. It’s important, but it’s not enough.
Have you ever decided to go on a diet. You know the routine. You talk about it. You think it over. Things come up and it gets put on the back burner. One day you make the decision and go for it.
I share this analogy only to illustrate a larger point that I want you to apply personally, to your business or career. These are important steps to achieving your desired outcome and they apply across the board in almost every situation. These principles can really apply to any goal you want to reach.
Here they are:
1. Think through a clear plan. It’s not enough to say here is what I want to achieve. You have to have a clear, actionable, doable plan. That doesn’t mean you won’t have to tweak and modify things along the way. But you need to lay out steps to get where you want to go. It also helps to mark out mini milestones along the way that you can celebrate and look forward to. Be clear about how you’re going to reach your goal or goals.
2. Be accountable. It helps to have someone to encourage you, push you along, be your sounding board and partner along the way. This step is very important. I know for me, there have been times I wanted to cave in, call it quicks. But my wife has been there to encourage me and I encourage her. I didn’t want to let her down and it helped to know she was there beside me. Find someone you trust and who’s input you respect and invite them along side of you as you journey toward your goal. Don’t go it alone.
3. Know your end game. Have a desired outcome, an end in mind. Know clearly what you want to achieve and set a date. This exercise does a number of things. It gives you a precise arrival point to shoot for. It allows you the opportunity to break down a large goal into smaller, attainable milestones and when times get discouraging (and they will) it reminds you how far you’ve come and lets you know that there is an end in sight.
Whether with your career, business, family, personal, spiritual, financial or any other area of your life, the reward comes in not only the benefits of what you’ve achieved by reaching your goal, but the lessons you learn along the way.
I encourage you to take on that goal you’ve been dreaming about, put some legs to it and start down the path to achievement. Go get ‘em.
Jeff Whitaker is a veteran broadcaster here in South Jersey.. He now draws on his experience and training to work with companies and individuals to develop effective storytelling, communications and leadership skills. Find free resources and ways Jeff can work with you at jeffwhitaker.com
