▼9 Core Elements of Realistic Planning & Goal Setting▼

Strategy Blog & Portable Document

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○ ○ ○Explanatory Notes Further Below. Heidi Grant Halvorson Speaks:

Rule #1: Be Specific, Clear & Precise. See notes on clarity of mind

              and avoiding negative, distractive environments or people

     who only cloud your judgment and current priorities.

Rule #2: Seize the moment to act on your goals. Manage your To-

           -Do List and be careful what you react to. In a Digital Era

            in which somebody somewhere/some company is always

            fighting for your eyeball, what you click on or react to in

              determines not only the direction of your day but the out-

             outcome of your day, but importantly, of your goal(s). It's

         all about efficiency, timing, and situational awareness.

Rule #3: Know exactly how far you have left to go. Again, both #

            1 (above) & perhaps the discipline stressed in the SSS to-

             gether with the steady improvement of decisiveness as a

               a skill, are key requisites in managing the 2nd and 3rd rule.

Rule #4: Be a realistic optimist. There's nothing wrong with posi-

              tive thinking but Dr. Grant Halvorson warns: “don't under-

               erestimate how difficult it will be to reach your goal. Most

             goals worth achieving require time, planning, effort, and

            persistence. Studies show that thinking things will come

              to you easily and effortlessly leaves you ill-prepared...and

               significantly increases the odds of failure.” So be realistic.

Rule #5: Focus on getting better, rather than being super good.

              This is what the Winter (2011) Theme set out to achieve

               as it paved the way for 2012 aspirations, requisite mindset

               for unlearning and relearning new skills, tactics and strate-

               gies. The author has more than adequately addressed that

               above and also, here. But as Alvin Toffler put it: “The illi-

          terates of the future are not those who cannot read or

            write. They are those who cannot learn, unlearn and re-

learn.” And I see them all around. Even online.

Rule #6: Have & sharpen your grit ceaselessly. “Grit is a willing-

           ness to commit to long-term goals, and to persist in the

              face of difficulty.” This statement of fact alone describes

              my current challenge. Those who weren't born with a sil-

         ver spoon in their mouths or up their behinds, like all

                others intensely focused on worthy goals have neither the

        temerity nor luxury to waste precious time mistaking

             vitriol for grit. Because talent is universal & opportunity

             isn't, the breakthrough ideas here comprise the conten-

           tion that those “who lack grit more often than not be-

           lieve that they just don't have the innate abilities suc-

          cessful people have.” And further, with regard to the

      implicit nod to the role and importance of passion,

         which Bishop T.D. Jakes addresses at the end of this

         blog, Francis Bacon offers a great challenge. “A wise

            man will make more opportunities than he finds.” That

             too, requires grit. Not such movies. But the real thing.

  Rule #7: Build your self-control/willpower muscle. Revisit 2012

          mantra, and heed the advice of Dr. Grant Halvorson:                   “To build willpower, take on a challenge [requiring] you to

          do something you'd honestly rather not do...stand up

             straight when you catch yourself slouching, try to learn

             a new skill. When you find yourself wanting to give in,

             give up, or just not bother — don't. Start with just one

          activity, and make a plan for how you will deal with

                 troubles when they occur ("If I have a craving for a snack,

          I will eat one piece of fresh or three pieces of dried

           fruit.") It will be hard in the beginning, but it will get

                   easier, and that's the whole point. As your strength grows,

              you can take on more challenges and step-up your self-

              control workout.” Backing up the foregoing, are these.

     Rule #8:  Don't overtax your willpower or tempt fate. “Successful 

             people”, says Dr. Grant Halvorson, “know not to make

                  reaching a goal harder than it already is.” Again, 2012 M.

    Rule #9:  Focus on what you will do, NOT what you won't do. As

                 always, the great Henry Ford said it best: “Obstacles are

                   those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off

                 your goal.” These are the breakthrough ideas challenging

                   me right now. What I learned in March 2012, and what I'm

                   working on...incrementally, as you read this. And what I'm

                     sharing with friends and loved ones. Hope it helps you too.

 On Builders, Comrades, Confidants, Constituents & Passion

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Hyperlinked. Read. Hover, Click & DevelopBreakthrough Ideas 2012
(Other Iterations) (Follow the Dove)

○ ○ ○The Preceding Blog is part of my series

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PEACE

TT