Goal-Strategy-Action

While each person is different, and each goal is different, still one principle is applicable to any goal you are trying to accomplish, from losing weight, to starting your own business, to cleaning out the clutter, to writing a best seller.

*This principle is GOAL - STRATEGY - ACTION.* (Those of you in management will recognize this as a version of Strategic Goals, Tactical Goals, and Operational Goals).

For our purposes, Goal is a broadly defined target such as 'buy a house'. No particular house or market value, etc. is established at this point.

Here's a tip: I always coach people to include reasons -- the objective -- for 'buying the house'. Why is it important to you to invest your precious and limited resources of time, money, and energy? You'll need this to tap into when you feel pulled by other desires -- and you will -- and the motivation is flagging -- and it will. Tapping into your reasons will make it a lot easier to maintain your efforts.

The STRATEGY is what must be done (possibly in various parts of your life) in order to achieve that goal.

The ACTIONS are the specific, measurable, outcomes that you work towards on a daily basis. You may ultimately want to lose 30 pounds, or make a career move, or improve you relationships, but you'll never get there if you don't concentrate on the first step first.

For example, sticking with our GOAL 'buy a house', then the STRATEGY associated with that would be to create a budget and lifestyle that would support buying a house. If the goal were lose weight, then the strategy would be eat less move more. See how that works?

Note that the strategy is about *choices*, not waiting on fate (a.k.a. a lottery win) or somebody else to do something. In the house example, the ACTIONS might include paying off credit card debt, establishing an emergency fund, saving for down payment, perhaps even changing jobs or geographical location. Or depending on where you are in your financial responsibility, it might be 'hire an agent', or 'refine taste of style'.

*Goal Strategy Action. And the greatest of these is ACTION.*
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Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates specializes in helping people who are ready to create a simpler, less stressful, more joyful and meaningful lifestyle. Get information on her programs and services at www.reallifecoach.com .