The gap between a good idea and making it a reality is an action plan. We believe that while God has plans for us, He expects us to take thoughtful action steps to complete them. Even if your planning process is a brief and informal one, a plan will enhance your success.

Many methods of developing action plans exist. You might prefer to plan in great detail or rely on a short list or outline of reminders. You might like looking ahead, mapping each step that needs to be taken to arrive at your desired destination. Conversely, you might prefer to work backwards, intensely visualizing your goal and thinking in reverse what it takes to get there.

Creating Your Action Plan

Now it’s time for you to draft an action plan for the goal(s) you selected earlier. For each goal:

1. Brainstorm and outline the key steps you think you should take to reach the goal.

For example, if your goal is to finish college. Your key steps to start might be:

• Gather all past enrollment/credit/grade information
• Search for best place(s) to transfer credits
• Decide best college for me
• Arrange logistics (transportation, childcare, funds)
• Select courses for first semester/quarter
• Complete enrollment process
• Purchase books and other supplies
• Complete courses
• Celebrate and recognize helpers

2. Write sub-steps for each key step.

Write each key step on a separate 3x5 card. Lay the cards out in a row or circle on a table or floor in order to see the big picture. Which steps can you break into two or more parts or sub-steps? Put each one on its own card. In the example, Decide best college for me could include several sub-steps such as:

• Interview people who have done the same thing
• Read books and articles
• Search the Web for available colleges
• Visit local campuses; meet with advisors
• Discuss options with friends
• Narrow choice to two
• Talk with advisors at both
• Make decision

When you have all your cards prepared, put them in the order that seems logical to you. Take another look at the cards. Do you need to shift any of them? Add some more sub-steps?

3. Build in evaluation checkpoints to monitor your progress along the way.

Be sure to add evaluation sub-steps. At a minimum, check how you’re doing at the midpoint and at the end of the first period of your effort. These evaluations will give you the chance to review what you’ve achieved and what you still have to do. They’ll allow you to make adjustments. Try the following evaluation questions at your checkpoints:

• Is my plan on track?
• What’s going well?
• What could be improved?
• What obstacles do I still face?
• What adjustments are necessary?
• What have I gained?
• What are my next steps?

Seek input from others on evaluating your progress. If you have an accountability or support group, involve the members in your evaluation process.

4. Set a realistic time frame for your action steps.

Go back and write the date you’ll finish the first step and each of the next steps (and sub-steps if applicable). Transfer at least the bigger milestones to your date planning book or PDA.

Celebrate Success

Once you’ve reached each goal—or made some progress toward it—be sure to celebrate! Give yourself a reward. Your helpers will enjoy hearing about your success and the part they played in it.

This completes the series on Setting Compelling Goals. For more ideas on thriving in your life and for helping others do the same, check our Archive and What We Offer.