Action Plan

We sat at a table in the local deli. He talked about his situation and his aspirations. I listened. Matt, who had left home to take up a two year training course, had just finished the final year with several assignments to complete to satisfy the course requirements. Wiping the cappuccino froth from my mouth I began to map out an ACTION PLAN for Matt on a serviette.

Matt's Action Plan (MAP!)

This year I will review and reflect on the past, and clarify my direction for the future.

With this picture in mind my goals are:

Goal #1: Obtain fulltime employment

Objectives:

· Email a copy of my resume to my mentor for comment by…

· Deliver a copy of my resume to the following employment agencies by…

· Prepare letters of application for two advertised positions by…

Goal #2: Complete my study program for the award of a Diploma

Goal #3: Pay off my credit card debt

Goal #4: Reside at home

Goal #5 Meet regularly with my mentor and coach

A personal ACTION PLAN is a valuable tool. It only takes a few minutes to put pen to paper. Enlist the help of a friend.

1. Write a brief statement which describes the overall picture or vision for a period of time. In Matt's case 12 months was more than adequate.

2. Establish a few clear goals which if achieved will help move you toward your picture or vision. Matt's number one goal was to obtain fulltime employment so that he could support himself for the 12 month period.

3. Break each goal down into simple action steps or objectives. Use plenty of action words. SMART objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.

A simple plan has several benefits. It:

· Clarifies and orders your thinking

· Maps out the important actions you need to take

· Focuses your thinking

· Directs your energy toward achieving an outcome

Matt had achieved Goal #1 within several weeks when he gained employment as a HelpDesk Operator for an internet service provider. He decided not to continue with Goal #2 at this stage, and he is continuing to work on Goals 3, 4 and 5.

If we fail to plan, we plan to fail. Act now!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taking the Plunge...

Image
Have you taken the plunge with simply the bungee rope saving you from certain death as you dropped from the launch platform? Bungee jumping is a popular adventure activity and while I haven't taken the plunge I can imagine the experience is exhilarating. The whole experience of being baptised is also exhilarating and while initially there may be anxiety, even fear if you are afraid of water, baptism is an important step in the faith journey. In the sacrament of baptism we identify ourselves with the death and resurrection of our Saviour and God performs a miracle. The Apostle Paul in Romans 6;3-5 describes it this way, " ...don't you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in death like his, we will certainly also be u...
Read more

Enthusiasm...

Image
Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz in Budapest, later Ehrich Weiss or Harry Weiss; March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-American stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape acts. He first attracted notice as "Harry Handcuff Houdini" on a tour of Europe, where he challenged different police forces to try to keep him locked up. This revealed a talent for gimmickry and for audience involvement that characterised all his work. Soon he extended his repertoire to include chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers, straitjackets under water, and to holding his breath inside a sealed milk can. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Houdini) There were two things that set Houdini apart, firstly KNOWLEDGE of what he knew to be true and secondly, ENTHUSIASM, the capacity to persevere in the face of great odds and to overcome the temptation to quit. Enthusiasm is a passionate eagerness in any pursuit. Enthusiasm is a sign of responsible living, the sign that you are able t...
Read more

Discovery Bible Study in the Marketplace

Earlier this year I started a Discovery Bible Study for my friends. We meet at Piper's by the Lake, 10.30 am every Tuesday, for coffee. Some of my friends aren't available each week because they work shifts. So I've kept the structure simple. Come whenever you can, enjoy good company, read the Bible together, have lively discussion, improve your English and invite others. I chose the venue. Piper's by the Lake, deliberately. It is one of the common meeting places in Ballarat where people enjoy a coffee or a  meal. In other words I wanted our Discovery Bible happening in the "marketplace", not a local church or a home. Recently a second group started in Central Square, another marketplace in Ballarat. This group started reading the Seven Stories of Hope while our group recently started a series on the parables. Last week we read Luke 15, which contains the stories of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son. After the reading we address five questions, ...
Read more