85. How to Jump Into Aligned Action

Do you ever find yourself asking things like: I know what I want, but how do I go about getting it? How do I jump into action? What does ‘action’ really mean? How do I quantify my vision into a goal?

I hear this from my clients all the time, and I have had these questions at various points in my life, too. So, in this episode, I’m going to walk you through another one of the exercises outlined in the Strategic Life Planning Workbook that is perfect for anyone who still doesn’t have clarity on what aligned action should look like.

Before you start the exercise, understand that you can always figure out the How if you know What it is you want and Why you want it. That’s the foundation on which we can build your ideal life. So, if you are still lacking clarity there, go back and do the exercises from the last few episodes.

Working Back to How

• This is deceptively easy, but you have to start with a goal. Not just an idea but a practical, quantifiable, trackable goal. A critical part of this goal is a deadline.
• Next, you have to look at what is actually preventing you from taking action. If you’ve done the previous exercises, you should have clarity on your end goal. It should be something that excites you. The most common obstacle for people is getting stuck in old ways of thinking when you’re scared by the idea of doing or becoming something new.
• So, you need to replace your excuses with action — when you do, you will start moving further and faster toward your goals. If you don’t overcome this mindset hurdle, you will continue to be your biggest obstacle.
• Now, identify three things that will help you achieve your goal and that you can commit to this month. That CAN is really important. Don’t just pick something you want to do because it would be a big win. Focus on actions that are achievable in the timeframe so that you can start stacking little wins and building momentum. Give yourself some grace and time.
• Using myself as an example: I wanted to write a book and I gave myself 12 months to do it. The first action I needed to take was finding a writing coach because I still wasn’t sure about whether I wanted to write it all myself or hire someone to work with me. My second step was outlining a plan for the next 12 months because I know myself and the way I work, and I need a plan to follow. My third action was to write for 10 minutes every single day for the next 30 days.
• Finally, set yourself up for success by putting structures or systems in place that will help you stay accountable to your goals. That may look like: putting it in your calendar, leaving post-it notes around the house, writing it into a planner, etc. Whatever systems you know work best for you.

Have any more questions?

If you have a question that has gone unanswered, or you don’t even know what the next question you need to ask is, I want to hear from you. You can send me your question via email, slide into my DMs on Instagram, or text me at 917.540.5782.

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