Visualize. Plan. Execute. Achieve.

One of the single most important aspects of my life has proven to be setting time aside every day to reflect and write down my goals. Nearly every thought leader will advocate for doing this. My ritual has been an evolving process... and now has turned into so much more then just writing goals. About 14 months ago I started this practice and I didn't understand the power of writing goals had, until recently. In July while checking off one of my goals and moving into my first home I found one of my old filled note books where my success planning all began. When looking back through the pages, to my surprise a lot of what I had written has been achieved - here is how...

Visualize and focus on the process, not only the outcome. It is easy to write a goal. It takes a little more willpower to visualize yourself achieving it. The real power lies in understanding the actions and processes necessary to achieve the goal and visualizing their completion as well. I consider this mental rehearsal and reflection, planning for success.

Fail to plan, plan to fail. Yes, a cliche saying... but true. Visualizing and understanding what actions are needed to achieve your goals, is planning it all out. A major component of the success planning exercise is to identify the micro success habits, which if done repeatedly over time will compound and allow you to reach your defined success. Draw up the plan as to how and when you will complete these actions - mapping out your plan for success to avoid the pit falls of failure.

“Life is about execution rather than purpose.” – Nassim Nicholas Taleb

A plan is just a plan until action is taking and the plan is executed. In my struggles to take action I have found two things to always be true. First, there is power in completion which leads to momentum. Second, the resistance we feel is ultimately out of fear of what needs to be done. Resistance leads to rationalizing our inaction so we do not feel shameful for allowing fear to paralyze us. Taking action requires courage and accountability, but it is the key to the final step which is achieving your goals.

While flipping back through the pages of my success plans I realized how powerful this exercise truly is. I've accomplished goals in all areas of life, the categories I focus on are health, professional, wealth, and relationships. This daily activity can take up to 30 minutes, purely an investment of your time. It needs to be intentional, prioritized, and taken seriously in order to be effective. Give success planning a try and reap the benefits of achieving your goals by visualizing, planning, and taking action!