Getting It Done

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In Alice in Wonderland Alice comes to a junction in the road that leads in different directions and she asks the Cheshire Cat for advice. “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where—“ said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.

Do you know which way to go? Do you know where you want to be? To avoid Alice’s predicament we need goals. With goals we can be confident that we are on the right road; the road of our choosing. The alternative is random wanderings through the crossroads of life.

Goal setting is the fundamental achievement skill of all. If any individual becomes a goal setter and writes, thinks, and talks about their goals on an ongoing basis, their level of performance and achievement will improve dramatically.

If you are committed to improving yourself and want better and greater enjoyment out of life, follow the guidelines outlined here. By doing so you can begin controlling your life, instead of letting life control you.

Here are eight steps of goal accomplishment:

1. Write down your goal in complete detail.
2. Determine how you will benefit from accomplishing your goal.
3. Set deadlines as to when you are going to accomplish you goal.
4. Analyze your current status on where you are right now.
5. Identify the barriers you will have to overcome to reach your goal.
6. Clearly identify the knowledge you will have to acquire in order to achieve your goal.
7. Identify the groups, people, and organizations whose cooperation and assistance you will need to obtain your goal.
8. Develop a plan of action (or business plan) based on the above information.

You must have a goal before you can write one down. To determine what your goals are you need to create a wish list. On your wish list write down everything you have ever wanted to own, do, or be. Write each item down in very specific detail. Do not be judgmental. Write down everything that comes to mind (this is a brainstorming method). When your wish list is complete, set it aside for a day or two. At that time write down next to each item why you want to accomplish this particular goal. If you cannot clearly state why you want this item, you should cross it off your list. The remaining items represent true goal possibilities.
Now that you have your list of goals (See Part I of Getting It Done), arrange the items on your wish list from the most important to the least important. Pick a couple from the top of the list and begin with step one.

Step One. Write your goals down as clearly as you can. Include as many details as you can articulate. State it in measurable terms.

Step Two. Write down all of the benefits that you will receive by accomplishing your goals. The more benefits you can list, the greater the incentive you will have to accomplish your goals.

Step Three. Take a look at where you are now in relationship to your goals. You need to understand where you are before you can attempt to get somewhere else.

Step Four. Set deadlines for accomplishing each stage of your goals. Set deadlines that you believe are realistic. Break your goal into a set of smaller steps.

Step Five. Identify any barriers that may stand between you and your goals. Think about the possible solutions to these barriers. Visualize the removal of these barriers.

Step Six. Clearly identify any knowledge that you will have to acquire in order to achieve your goal. Think about where you can obtain that knowledge.

Step Seven. Identify the people, organizations, and groups whose cooperation and assistance you will need to obtain your goal. Can these people provide you with the knowledge? Do they share our goal? Often people will help you achieve your goal if you can help them achieve something that they want.

Step Eight. Develop a plan of action. Decide what needs to be done first, second, third. Outline your plan on paper (or electronically if you wish!). Review it daily and adjust it when necessary.

The most important thing you need to do is to start. Start now. Many people will accomplish one or two of these steps only to allow it to fade with time. You must discipline yourself and keep at it. Visualize your goal daily. Imagine that it has already been accomplished. Constantly remind yourself of the benefits that you will reap by achieving your goal. Allow no one to convince you that your goals are unrealistic.

Once you accomplish a goal, replace it with a new goal immediately. You should always have a goal in the works because goal setting and achieving is a way of life and not just a good habit.

Now do you know which way to go?