The final step in the process is the carefully laid stepping stones guiding you right up to the realization of your Vision. Now you’re ready to gain control of the process by applying these 7-steps to each new Goal.

1. TARGET the Goal/Project

Make sure to refer to your Vision often and try not to become so goal-oriented that you lose sight of the Vision – the big picture.

The goal is only significant as long as it remains relevant to the Vision, in the same way that the Vision remains relevant only in relation to your stated Mission.

Choose each goal carefully, judging whether it can move you closer to your Vision. How many goals? As many as it takes!

2. EXAMINE the Need

Is this a necessary stepping stone, or is it busy-work? Will it effectively move you toward realizing the Vision? Not all goals advance the Vision. Learn to be brutally honest in your assessments.

Be prepared to walk away from familiar activities. Just because you’ve always done them is not reason enough to continue.

Consult the experts and those you trust in the area of your Vision. (Note: that may well not be family and friends.)

Distance doesn't matter: It is only the first step that is difficult. Marie Anne du Deffand

3. DEFINE Success & Failure

DEFINE Success – Do not skip this step!

Be very detailed in your definition or else success will seemingly elude you and you chance not recognizing it when it comes your way. A detailed definition need not mean narrowly defining success. Be careful not to use the bull’s eye definition.

Be broad in your inclusion of successful possibilities. Consider an incremental definition of success – a timeline or Gantt chart.

DEFINE Failure

Again, be very detailed in your definition. Resist the tendency to define failure as anything that is not success, doing the Vision a great disservice.

Make sure to give time and attention to your definition of failure, defining it narrowly. Many great successes began as failures, Coca-cola, Post-It Notes and chocolate chip cookies, to name a few.

4. EXPLORE the Options

There’s generally more than one route to a desired destination. Likewise, we generally have more options available to us than we initially identify. Learn to slow down and carefully assess your options, opening your mind to the ways in which you might approach this goal.

If you always do what you’ve always done, You’ll always get what you always got. Unknown

You’re entering new territory. Be prepared for new ways of thinking, acting and responding.

5. IDENTIFY the Requirements & the Obstacles

IDENTIFY the Requirements

What conditions must be in place for this goal to be achieved? What preliminary planning is necessary to bring all elements into focus?

Research may be necessary at this point? Get on the internet, spend some time in the library, whatever it takes to determine the optimum conditions for this goal to be accomplished.

Each goal accomplished creates a concrete stepping stone bringing you much closer to the realization of the Vision.

IDENTIFY the Obstacles

Look ahead taking time to assess those areas that pose potential problems, and address the possibility up front. You may never run into them, but if you do, you’ll be prepared. Careful research will be valuable at this point.

Talk with people who have executed similar goals and learn from their mistakes. What obstacles did they face and how did they approach them? If it didn’t work, don’t make the same mistake!

IDENTIFY the Available Resources

What is already in place or currently available to you that can be used to facilitate accomplishing this goal?

Who do you know who has what you need to get started? Offer them a stake in the Vision…

6. DEVELOP Strategies & the Final Program

DEVELOP Strategies Time to get cagey, figuring all the possible ins and outs. If this were a road trip, here’s where you would make your own map, including where roads are under construction or bridges washed out. Anywhere along the way where you might be ambushed, outline a possible alternate route. Write it down, but BE FLEXIBLE!

DEVELOP the Final Program

Here’s where you put all the components together. If your Vision happened to be a business, this is where you would write your Business Plan.

7. IMPLEMENT & EXECUTE

IMPLEMENT the Final Program

There’s nothing left but the “doing.” Put the wheels in motion. And then…

EXECUTE – you’re ready!

Push the button and watch your Goal take shape as a well placed stepping stone moving you closer to your Vision!

Follow the same 7 step process for each goal you’ve listed under your Vision. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small until you are comfortable with the process.

It may seem like a great deal of work, but isn’t your Vision worth it? If not, perhaps you haven’t spent enough time in your porch swing filling your dream canvas. Maybe you will want to set this Vision aside and begin work on another. If none of your Visions seem to warrant this level of dedication, possibly you’re not dreaming big enough…

Remember, you have something to offer the world that only you can offer. Begin today – the world is waiting!

The EffectivenessCoaching Program outlined in this article, is copyrighted and is the sole property of the owner/developer, Karin S. Syren & So-lu’shunz Leadership Services. All rights reserved.