“Take Action! An inch of movement will bring you closer to your goal than a mile of intention.”
-Dr. Steve Maraboli
What’s one thing you dream of seeing happen this year? Do you believe it’s really possible? Have you taken the time to plan for it? If so, what’s one thing you are doing today to help execute the plan? There is no better time to take action than now! It’s a New Year and a new opportunity for a fresh start. It’s exactly what you may need after a year like 2020. This is a opportunity to make things right! You can see your dreams because a reality if you plan for it and most importantly execute the plan! Planning and dreaming of the great things that can take place this year is the easy part. Execution of the plan is the hardest and most critical part. It’s the part of the process that requires the most hard work, sweat, tears, perseverance, consistency, action and intentionality.
Imagine what your life could look like if you accomplished every dream and goal you’ve written down this year. How would that make you feel? How would that success propel you into the next year? How would that success inspire you to dream and think bigger? You can have the greatest goals and the most creative plan for obtaining those goals, but if you don’t take action and execute, you will never reach what you planned. Your dreams are valid and they are possible! You just have to be willing to work at executing them every single day.
“NO EXCUSES. NO EXPLANATION. YOU DON’T WIN ON EMOTION. YOU WIN ON EXECUTION.”
TONY DUNGY
Last year I made a goal of changing my eating habits and focusing on getting healthier. It wasn’t just about a diet for me but a true lifestyle change. I wanted to be the best version of myself and be healthy so that I can live a long full life. I made a commitment to exercise three days a week at the minimum and eat healthy. I was able to accomplish that goal and the journey of taking care of myself has really changed my life. I find myself getting stronger in all areas because I was able to execute that goal. I am motivated and inspired to continue to become the best version of myself because of what I was able to accomplish. Has the journey been perfect? Absolutely not! It’s been so hard, especially in the beginning I failed a-lot. But, the important thing is when I failed I didn’t give up! I started exactly where I was and continued to get better and move forward. Eating healthy hasn’t been perfect either. I have cheat days and times where I fall short but I don’t stop there. I start again the next day.
One of the things I discover about accomplishing a goal is that you can’t give up when you fail or fall short, you have to keep going. It’s the only way to guarantee success. When working towards you goals don’t strive to be perfect just make a commitment to keep going and stay consistent as possible. These are the steps I’ve learned that have helped me to execute my goals:
STEPS TO EXECUTING OUR GOALS:
1.) Clearly communicate the goal
In order to execute a goal you must first clearly communicate and understand your goal.Secondly, understand the purpose behind your goal. After you must create habits based on what you want to see. When you understand your goal you are able to answer the following questions: “What is my goal?” “What am I expecting to see happen?” “What steps do I need to take to accomplish my goal?” “How will reaching this goal impact my life?”
2.) Start the process
Starting the process is the first step to actually making your goals a reality. It’s a powerful step because it shows how committed you are too doing what you said. Starting gives you a sense of ownership and responsibility in the process of obtaining your goals. Getting started creates in you a greater level of expectation and excitement which is needed to help us finish the process.
3.) Envision Success
What you envision determines how you finish. Envisioning success keeps you encouraged in the process of obtaining your goal. It can help you shift your focus to self-motivating questions such as “What small steps can I take today to reach my goal?” and “What is a new way of thinking about my goal that would help me to be successful?”
4.) Measure progress
Measuring your progress is important because it help you to understand where you are in the process. You measure your progress by keeping track of what you do daily. You can ask yourself questions like, “How is what i’m doing now bringing me closer to my goal?” or “What can be done today to help me reach my goal?” Setting time limits and dates can help keep us on track to reaching our goals.
5.) Reward Progress
Being rewarded for all the work you put forth is one of the greatest feeling in the world. Think about your high school or college graduation. How did you feel? When you are rewarded for the progress you make it motivates you to keep going and compels you to finish strong.
“A VISION AND STRATEGY AREN’T ENOUGH. THE LONG-TERM KEY TO SUCCESS IS EXECUTION. EACH DAY. EVERY DAY.”
RICHARD M KOVACEVICH
With the start of each new day comes the opportunity to get closer to your goals. I want to encourage you to be intentional and take action everyday. Take things one step at a time and envision the success you want to see. Be determined to put in the work and make your goals a reality this year. It’s going to be hard but hard doesn’t mean impossible. One of the scriptures I am standing on this year is Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. It’s takes a lot of strength to continue to move forward after a year like last year. Last year was such a hard year for me that was gripped by so much fear and anxiety. But this year is going to be a year where I believe for great things, I stand on Gods word, plan and execute. Standing on Gods word has been the foundation of what has brought me through over the years. Without Him being the center of it all I wouldn’t have gotten this far. I’m thankful that He has kept me especially through this last year and has given me the opportunity to share my story and my journey of growing. Thank so much for reading!
What’s one thing you dream of achieving this year? What is your first step to achieving that dream? Comment below, I would love to hear your story.
“WHEN IT ALL COMES DOWN TO IT, NOTHING TRUMPS EXECUTION.” GARY VAYNERCHUCK
Intentional Hope 