7 Secrets of Planning for Success

Author: Silvia Pencak

Everyone’s trying to plan for a successful year ahead. But how come that in spite of our planning we still end up failing 12 months later (or maybe even earlier)? What is it that we have all these techniques and strategies, all the knowledge and still don’t make it? Discover these incredible secrets, plan for success and have the best year ever!

1. Start with the end in mind. Where do you want to be in 15, 20 years from now? What do you want your future to be? Do you want to have a big house, big family, good family, red car, summer house, few close friends, travel the world? What do you want to achieve till then? Don’t just think about it, write it down. There’s a power in writing. Put it on paper. Dream your dream lifestyle. What do you want to do in your free time? Play golf, tennis, help your favorite charity or train others? Write it down so that you can come back again and again and tweak it even more.

2. Define your steps. What do you need to do and how much are you willing to do by the end of this year? Where do you want to be this time next year? Write it down. These are your goals. The most common mistake in planning your goals for the year is that it just doesn’t make sense. Your annual goals aren’t in line with your life’s purpose so even if you end up achieving your annual goals, you’re not moving further towards your dream lifestyle. Look at each annual goal separately and if it’s not helping you get closer to your dream lifestyle, you should reconsider how important specific goal is and maybe even take it down of your list.

3. Break it down. Where do you need to be in six months in order to be on track to achieve your annual goals? Then break it down to quarters and months. If you’re writing it down, you now have excellent step-by-step guide to help you succeed this year.

4. Plan your work. At the beginning of each month take all your sheets – your dream lifestyle, your annual goals, your monthly goals and focus on 1 month only. Create your action plan. What do you need to do each week this month in order to reach your monthly goal? Plan your work weekly. Take few minutes once a week to break your weekly goals into your daily plan and take time every evening to plan your next day. I like to not only write down my task list, but I also prioritize it – most important tasks are first, less important ones come next.

5. Work your plan. You will never be able to reach your goals if you don’t do your work. Focus. Stick to your daily plan. Don’t jump from task to task. Start with number one and don’t move to number 2 until you finish the first one.  Do your work and you’ll see the results.

6. Refocus. Spend at least 1 day a month going through your lists. How are you doing with your plan? Are you working enough? Do you have enough time off? Are you getting results you were hoping for? Are you moving closer towards your goals? What needs to be changed? What can be done differently? Are you on track or are you behind? Go back to your dream life list. Is it still what you want in your life? Is it worth all your energy? Should you work more or less in order to get there?

7. Avoid common mistakes. Mistake #1: Most people only plan for 1 year or 1 month. But you can do it better. Plan for 13 months instead of 12, for 40 days instead of 30. It will give you 1 extra month, 10 extra days to continue working even if something happens and you can’t plan your next year or month. And best of all, it will keep your momentum going. Mistake #2: Most people only plan their work. But in order to live balanced life, you need to plan in all areas of your life. Plan your family vacations, schedule your devotional time, define how much time you want to spend with your extended family and friends. How about your finances, wills, household, health? What do you want to improve or change this year in order to be debt free or live a healthy life?

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Happy New Year, clarity, determination and success for your 2010 from Magnetic Look Team!