Step Five - Wrap it Up

Greetings:

Okay here we are at Step Five. Big drum roll, the fifth step is - CREATE A PLAN!!!

I know it sounds simple but it is the part that often gets missed. It is the reason that New Year's Resolutions don't work, there is no plan. Nothing happens without a plan.

First lets review what the first four steps were:

Step one: Write your top 100 accomplishments for the year
Step two: Clarify your values
Step three: Create your Theme for the year
Step four: Set Goals

Once you have your goals set you have to then create a plan for each goal. The key is that each goal that you have can be broken down into smaller steps. For example if your goal is to loose 50 pounds this year here is what the plan could look like.

Find a food program (such as Weight Watchers, Adkins, Slim for Life) or whatever will work for you. Remember it isn't about finding the best plan it is about what plan will be best for you.

Start an exercise routine - this could mean joining a gym, hiring a trainer, or getting a treadmill. Again what is going to be best for you.

Now write down all the steps you can think of that you need to take to get started. Example:

Join Weight Watchers
Join the gym
Buy exercise cloths
Buy new exercise shoes
Clean out refrigerator and pantry
Go grocery shopping for healthy food on program
Find a buddy to workout with

Once you take the steps necessary to get started, and it may take you a week or so to get everything accomplished so you can get started, it is time to create a daily plan. The good news about this is you don't have to do a lot in order to receive big results. Doing just a few steps a day will get you to your goal.

Your daily plan may look something like this:

Keep food diary
Exercise for 20 minutes
Drink Water

That is it. You only have to do a few things in order to get big results. You don't always have to do the same things each day, just make sure that you are doing at least one to five things towards you goal every day. This will get you in the habit of focusing on your goal and taking action.

Keep in mind that what you are doing towards you goal isn't instead of but in addition to what you are already doing. You may also be working on other goals however I would recommend focusing on just two to three goals at a time. These are the goals that you will be taking action on every day.

Take time to create your plan and you will have a better chance of succeeding than if you just wing it. Having a plan will keep you on track and focused.

Okay we are almost there. In just a couple of days I will be sharing step 6 of the Wrap it Up process with you.

Here's to taking action,

Rachelle