On first of January this year, most if not all of us, did what we have always done every beginning of the year β developing a list of resolutions: a list of things to be accomplished by close of the year. Some of us had them written down on paper while others typed and saved them in electronic devices. Some even committed them to their memory. Either way, we all had a list of items we wished to achieve by end of the year. Of great concern is not even the manner in which the goals were done and saved but the fact that a good number of items on most resolution lists have been recurring year in year out! Somehow, they do not get accomplished as earlier planned for one reason or the other.
Some people never get to take any action towards attainment of their objectives yet action is the only proven ingredient for great accomplishment. Success never happens; it is caused to happen; only deliberate action causes it to happen. Coming up with a list of objectives or resolutions in itself does not make them to happen; it is only an expression of interest. You need to start whatever it is for it to roll towards accomplishment. No one has ever been rewarded for the intention to take part in a race; rewards go the way of those who are bold enough to begin and finish strong in the race. It is never just about planning but execution of the plan to the later.
It is important to mention at this early stage that much as starting the race is important, it does not guarantee victory. One has got to keep focused on the goal and keep working for its attainment. Many plans abort midway with some of those that are implemented to the end failing to deliver the anticipated results. This is the focus of this Focus Talk. Many factors account for this state and in Focus Talk 09/2016 I taught on the role of personal discipline in getting things done. In this write up, I want to introduce another contributor to performance inconsistencies between the plan and actual results β failure to evaluate where you are.
Many people launch their ideas and run with them through the year (which is a good thing); the only time they look at that list again is at the end of the year when comparing their ultimate performance with the set goals. That becomes dangerous and might be disheartening. The greatest danger of end term evaluation is that itβs done when it is already too late for certain correctional measures to be undertaken for steady performance. Those who have made it big in life have over time learnt the detriment of filing away their plans until the time for final review. They constantly and periodically look at the plans in the course of the implementation to assure themselves that everything is still under control. Mistakes detected during such periodic reviews can rectified to ensure a stronger finish.
It is a good thing that you have identified objectives to accomplish in life. It is a better thing to acknowledge the role of action in making your objectives to come alive. It is the best practice to periodically examine where you are in relation to your plan. Miracles do not happen in December; it is the consistent tiny steps that you take in the course of the year that culminate into achieved objectives at the end of the set period. Evaluating your progress in the course of action helps you tell whether your momentum has gone or whether there are process changes to be done. Failing to understand where one is at any given point makes one lose touch with the realities of his/her objectives.
So I dare ask, where are you now? You committed to working out at the gym X days in a week, where are you now? You endeavored to launch your business idea and grow it, where are you now? You were to further your studies from beginning of the year, where are you now? You want to accomplish ABC by close of the year or by a certain year, where are you now? The drivers on the roads constantly check their speed readings and fuel gauge to know when to slow down and avoid violation of speed limits and when to refuel. Without this, many journeys would be disrupted due to fuel depletion. Have you set progress pointers for your objectives? Where are you now? When you consciously find out where you are at any given point, YOU CAN DO BETTER!
Roy Okonji,
Personal Development Coach, Motivational Speaker and Author
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