Paul Prioritized
Know where you’re going. Successful leaders and professionals understand a simple core concept: if you don’t know where you’re going, you’re likely to wind up anywhere.
Be specific. Not only must your goal be specific, but you must also create a specific intention as well as very specific tasks or steps that will move you toward the completion of that goal.
Create measurable milestones. Once you have a clear picture of what you’re out to accomplish, as well as what targets you will need to hit throughout the time span of the project or period, the next step is to create measurable milestones.
Make a list. Create a list and accompanying time line of specific action items or tasks to complete in order to hit those milestones.
Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. Some tasks or milestones may seem more daunting to achieve than others. That’s when it makes sense to break larger tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Put timelines on everything. Without specific time frames and deadlines, work will definitely expand to fill the time allotted, and some tasks may never get completed.
Create a visual representation - Once you’ve created your action items and set a specific timeline, the next step is to create some type of visual representation of your plan. You might use a flowchart, a Gantt chart, a spreadsheet, or some other type of business tool to accomplish this.
Schedule out your accomplishments. Have each person involved, grab their schedule or day planner or smart phone and schedule out their accomplishments.
Work your plan and don’t Stop until it’s complete. Once your plan is established, shared with the team, and accomplishments are scheduled, the next step is simple: take daily action and follow up with responsible parties to ensure that everyone is doing their part.
Change the date if you must, but never give up on the goal. Occasionally, circumstances or unforeseen events can arise that throw a wrench in your ability to meet deadlines, complete tasks and achieve your goal. If this happens, do not get discouraged – revise your plan and continue working to meet targets and move forward.