You can’t have a different life without change, Part 6
If you’ve followed along through the entire blog series you now have a different perspective on how you look at planning, you’ve identified what works and doesn’t today, you have a vision of what you want, a goal date, and next you need to tie that future to the present.
Tying your future to the present is done when you identify the checkpoints between the two and pencil in dates along the timeline. Personally I cringe a bit when people say milestones because it means the opposite of how we use it today, so I’m using check points to describe the goals and dates tucked under your overarching vision.
How do I break down a huge goal into something doable?
Eating the elephant
When you’re creating these they should concrete, you should definitively be able to say yes it’s done. There should be a logical progression that builds on the last, and they should move you towards the end goal. When you’re identifying these think big and substantial-they need some heft and weight to them, this isn’t a finish it in a weekend thing. One test that it’s big enough is can it be broken down? Because each check point will have smaller goals/tasks/accomplishments under it.
This is where it real gets real and I start pissing people off. But, no-one hires me as a coach in the hopes that I forget about their goals and we just hangout as best friends. This is where it get’s tough but, also where we make sure your future doesn’t live and die on paper. In order to make this something that you can actually accomplish and work towards we need to add some structure around it.
Trust me I hate this part too, I'm a person that adds things to my to-do list just so I can check them off, but I'm also someone that has created goals and visions so big and ethereal that there was no way to teether them to reality.
That's why we need structure and form around this to make sure it actually happens!
Begin with looking over your goal and what you’ll need to get there.
Creating a timeline
Adding “when?” To your why
Grab paper and put it on a timeline, todays date on the left and a line to the date you identified you want to meet that goal. Now that you have a timeline you need to identify three major checkpoints or way-stations along the way. Not two or twelve, you get three checkpoints along your timeline. Put them on the timeline about where they would fall and include rough dates to them. Depending on how you plan this could be formatted as October 2027 or October 10, 2027 but, avoid using “Fall” or “Q3” use month/year or a full date.
If you get stuck identifying the checkpoints try sitting with and focusing on the future and the goal. Really put yourself there and then ask
“How do I get there?”
The three checkpoints are going to be the big building blocks on the journey. And they should be big enough that each of them can have five actions underneath them but, don’t jump ahead, focus on creating the checkpoints first.
Don’t cheat and try to add more or fit two different things into one checkpoint. We’re limiting the number of checkpoints to make you focus on what’s really important!
don’t create 200 mini stops along the timeline and lose traction.
Or the other pitfall is not creating checkpoints and trying to break your future state into daily tasks-it’s 100% lunacy and creates a crushing unachievable lump.
Creating actions to meet your goals
….One bite at a time
Once you’ve got your three on the timeline then go onto the actions. But, don’t rush and cheat yourself, take the time you need before you move on.
To build out the actions you’ll take each checkpoint on it’s own and ask yourself
“What do I need to do to accomplish this checkpoint?”
You get five actions/steps/habits for each checkpoint. Again no cheating.
Here’s an example from my own plan. One of my three checkpoints was to get my ICF professional coaching certification. I created 5 actions that spanned a few months working towards that checkpoint. And each action had smaller tasks to get me there.
It all comes back to the elephant. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. But, also, please don’t eat elephants. Or whales if you prefer the Silverstein version.
This also gives you guide rails as you review current priorities and what’s actually moving you forward. Once you know where you’re going it’s easier to separate out what you need and what just takes up space.
Hopefully this exercise has helped demystify and unteach some of the outdated rules you learned about working towards a future and identifying what you want when you get there. Many of the activities can be used and applied in other areas too. My goal with the “You can’t have a different life without change” blog series was to share some tools you can use day to day to move you towards where you want to be. And to help you actively, consciously decide on the actions you are taking and areas of your life you prioritize.
Other posts you may like
Jenn is an ICF Associate Certified Coach in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She works with individuals and teams using neuroscience-informed, solution-focused coaching. Her practice focuses on supporting clients to make real, sustainable changes and meet their full potential.
Learn more about Jenn here. Ready to talk? Book a free intro call here.