Make Good Better – Take Action Now with Smart Plans

Smart plans are needed to take action now and get things done. This is because while it is good to take action now, it is great to take action now to complete a smart plan.

If you want to get something done, take action now with a smart plan.

Nothing gets done unless a person decides to take action now and do it. But, simply taking action now is not enough. There needs to be more if you want to be successful. You must make smart goals and smart plans and then take action. Smart goals and smart plans, despite the name, are actually quite simple to describe. Once you have made the decision to take action now to get something done, you need to make the plan smart.  A goal or plan is smart if it is:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time- Bound

It is tempting to get moving and to let the inertia of having started to do something push one forward. However, if you move forward to accomplish a smart plan, the action will be more productive and it is more likely that the goal will be reached and the plan accomplished. The old expression is, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. That statement is not completely accurate. It is not enough to plan, you must make sure the plan you create is a smart plan. A smart plan will take into account many factors including the relevant variables, supplies needed, the talent and abilities of the parties, and the time available for plan completion.

The first thing you must do when you set out to do something, is to be specific about what it is you want to do. Even if you are only discussing your plans with yourself, it is important to be specific. The more specific you are when describing what is to be done the more likely you are to accomplish that thing. When you are not specific, you subtly give yourself permission to get off task and to do something closely related, but on a tangent. Clearly identify what you are trying to accomplish. Otherwise, it is harder for you to actually stay on target as you work to take action now and get that thing done. For example, do not simply say, “I want to get my work done.” Instead say, “I want to write proposals for Clients A, B, and C, select a new template for my email sales campaign, and proofread the proposed employee manual.

Want to read more about motivation and getting things done? Check out the following:

Take Action Now and Get Healthy All Over– While it is important to have good physical health, we must also strive to have good health mentally, emotionally, sexually, spiritually, and financially. Click here to read more.

and

 Inspiration – Find it and Use it to Take Action Now  When you know what inspires you, you can use it to take action now and get things done. Click here to read more.

Also, check out our Confidence Tip of the Day YouTube channel for hundreds of videos on creating the confidence you need to succeed.

One of the best things you can do if you want to accomplish things is to establish ways to measure your progress. Divide large projects into smaller portions or time periods so that you can measure your progress, the viability of your plan, and the likelihood that things will be completed as you desire. When your plans are measurable, there is a way for you to determine the success or failure of your efforts. By establishing measuring points along the way from start to completion, it is easier to determine if you are on schedule or if changes and adjustments need to be made.

Realism is an important part of making smart plans. When you make a plan it is important to make sure your plan is realistic. If your plan is realistic, you can work toward achieving it and feel good about what you are going. if your plan is not realistic, it is less likely that you will get good results of which you can be proud. For example, a plan to expand your business is potentially a good idea. However, if your plan is to increase sales by selling to people on the moon, you are lacking the necessary realism needed to succeed.

The final step in making sure your goals and plans are smart goals and smart plans is to make sure your plans and goals are time-bound. Just as medications and fresh fruit have a shelf life, so should your goals and plans. When your place a time limit on your goals and plans it forces you to work towards accomplishing them, rather than letting them die on the vine for lack of attention. When your goals and plans are time bound and have time limits, it gives you subtle pressure to work to get things done. The element of time helps ensure that things get done as they should.

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