Secrets to Success Deborah Cole Micek and John-Paul Micek

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Expect growth
and be ready
to adjust goals

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In part two of this three-part series, you learned how you can use your appointment schedule to set yourself up for success. That built upon step one, creating a quantifiable and prioritized plan of action.

In part three we reinforce why all three steps working together is so important to your success in achieving goals.

Step Three: Welcome the organic growth of your goal and adjust accordingly.

Even when you include 20 percent flex time in every workday, and you carefully include a 10 percent fudge factor to buffer inevitable delays, there is something unique that often happens with really BIG goals.

These types of goals are usually rooted in a vivid entrepreneurial dream or vision; big goals are like living organisms. They grow, stretch and mature to become much more than what you envisioned when you originally set the goal. This is the good part of the big goal trap: underestimating what you can achieve in the long term.

The greatest advantage you can give yourself is to expect this organic growth. Although there's no way to accurately forecast how this will affect the time line of achieving your goal, you can establish a mind-set now that will protect your motivation and momentum as your goal grows even larger.

In your planning, scheduling and preparation, keep in mind that the larger and more complex the project, and the more outside contractors you have on your team, the more flex and fudge factor time you need to add. Increasing either (or both) by 5 percent to 10 percent would not be unreasonable for a big long-term goal.

This third step sounds pretty simple in comparison with the first two, but don't be tempted into skipping it.

These three steps are so simple and practical, even the most organizationally challenged business owner can make them work:

>> Create your action plan with accurate hourly estimates.
>> Carefully analyze your schedule and block out time.
>> Plan for and welcome organic growth.

Yes, following the detailed instructions of each step will take some time and commitment, but it's the only sure way to avoid de-motivation, frustration and avoidable delays.

Whether you're just beginning to reach out for a big goal or in the midst of pushing toward one, give yourself a tremendous advantage: Stop and dedicate the time you need to complete these three steps. Any hours or days that you invest now will save you unbelievable multiples of time down the road.

Taking the time to complete these three steps might be the only thing that prevents you from becoming like 98 percent of people in the world who never see their greatest goals and dreams come to reality.

Do yourself a favor -- take action now!

If you've missed any part of this three-part series, just go to www.getcoachedforfree.com and use the "This Week's Free Action Report" link on the bottom of the home page.

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John-Paul Micek

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See the Columnists section for some past articles.

John-Paul Micek is the lead business coach at RPM Success Group Inc. Reach him at JPM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.

Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach and life strategist. Reach her at DCM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.

Access an expanded version of this article at www.GetCoachedforFree.com.