Here is a riddle: If four green frogs are sitting on a log, and 2 decide to jump off, how many frogs are left sitting on the log?
Answer: Four green frogs are left sitting on the log. Because deciding to do something is not doing it!
Goals Are Words Until They Generate Action
We’ve all heard the adage knowledge is power. However that is only half the truth. Knowledge is potential power that becomes real power when we take action on the knowledge we have. In other words, applied knowledge is power. Your plans and goals are critical to help you consistently move toward success, but goals are just thoughts and ideas with little value until you convert them into action steps.
Action steps are crucial in planning to achieve your goals because they provide a clear roadmap for turning your aspirations into reality. You’ve heard it’s important to write down your goals; however while defining and writing goals is important, without creating a realistic plan for achieving them, goals remain pretty words on paper. Action steps provide a structured approach to breaking down your goals into smaller, achievable tasks that you can work on step by step.
Why Action Steps Are Important In Planning To Achieve Your Goals
They provide focus and direction: Action steps help you to identify the specific tasks you need to complete, one at a time, to achieve your stated goal, giving you a sense of direction and focus. This can help you stay on track, especially when faced with obstacles or setbacks.
They create accountability: When you break your goals down into action steps, you create a clear set of tasks that you can hold yourself accountable for completing. This can help you stay motivated, knowing that you have a clear roadmap to follow.
They help you measure progress: By breaking your goals down into smaller, measurable action steps, you can track your progress and see how far you have come. This can help you celebrate your achievements along the way and adjust your approach if needed.
They help you overcome overwhelm: Big goals can often feel overwhelming, but breaking them down into smaller action steps can make them feel more manageable. This can help you avoid procrastination and stay focused on making progress.
Action Steps Help You Make The Leap To Do What You Have Resolved To Do.
Let me paint another picture for you. Imagine you are at an expensive restaurant. The waiter brings the sizzling steak you ordered, places it on the table and walks away. Suddenly you realize, wait I don’t have a fork or a knife. You can’t pick up the steak with your hands to eat it whole; you need to cut it into small pieces and eat one bite at a time. Just as you need to cut the steak into small pieces so it is with your goals. And just as you needed the knife and fork – your tools – to make eating manageable, the tools you need to achieve your goals are action steps. Achieving each step is taking bite after bite out of your goal.
Break Down Each Step For Easier Progress
For greater success, make sure that each action step is broken down into as few and clear pieces as possible. For example, one action might be to “make contact with a town administrator”. Let’s break that down: first, found out who is the right person, what is their phone number and email address, and then reach out and then follow up.
Action steps should always be the smallest tasks you can focus on and achieve, bit by bit, that lead you to the completion of your goal. All these “bites” add up to the accomplishment of something great - your goal.
Some need help keeping them accountable, focused, on track. And others need help earlier on, simply formulating those goals to begin with. Whatever is preventing you from moving forward, I encourage you to take one small action step: call me at 732.705.5060 or visit me at www.staroneprofessional.com