By plan, I don't mean have some idea in your head about your business or your career. When I say plan, I mean have a REAL plan. A written plan... that you work on frequently.
People always ask me how to get started on their plan. It is really quite simple. For my planning processes, I like to use what's called heuristic, or backward, planning. I learned it in the military. Basically, you start with your objective in mind and then work back to where you are now.
Heuristic planning can be distilled down into three basic steps. Let's take a look at each...
* Step One: Identify Your Overall Objective
Hopefully, you've incorporated your passion into your overall objective. That objective can be anything from getting a job in a new industry or new company to owning a major league sports team. Whatever it may be, just make sure it is something you're passionate about and that it is defined. Once you've identified your overall objective, you can begin the processes of achieving it!
You need to be specific about defining the objective. What constitutes success? How do you define failure? What are all of the components of the objective that you want to achieve? Truly understanding the answers to all of these questions will help you develop your plan more effectively.
* Step Two: Determine Intermediate Milestones and Supporting Tasks to Reach Each Milestone
For any objective you identify, there will be many milestones. And for each milestone, there will be many supporting tasks. For instance, if your objective is to find a job in a new industry, say real estate, then you'd have many potential milestones that could include:
1. Obtaining some level of formal or informal education about real estate
2. Developing an understanding of the different jobs available
3. Conducting a self-assessment and comparing that to what you've learned about the industry to determine the roles for which you'd be best suited; and
4. Developing a structured network to assist you in finding, closing, and excelling in your new job.
These are just a few potential milestones. Based on your ultimate objective, there can be many, many milestones, and they need to be individually mapped out. Many milestones can be worked on simultaneously. For instance, you might be getting your formal education in real estate at the same time you are increasing the size of your network in the real estate industry.
For each of your milestones, there are supporting tasks that must be accomplished. The supporting tasks are basically all of the actions you need to accomplish in order to reach your milestone. The more specific you are in identifying tasks and timing for them to be completed, the better you'll be able to track your progress.
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About the Author:
After winning season two of "The Apprentice," Kelly Perdew spent 2005 as an Executive Vice President in the Trump Organization. Today, Kelly is President of ProElite.com, an online social network that provides tools for combat sports enthusiasts. He is also a Managing Director for Angel Venture Partners, a venture capital fund that collaborates with leading angel groups across the country to invest in early-stage ventures. Kelly is author of "TAKE COMMAND: 10 Leadership Principles I Learned in the Military and Put to Work for Donald Trump." A percentage of the sales royalties from that book's sales are donated to the USO.
2 comments to WHAT IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN?
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Unknown Hi Shinelight,
Thanks so much for your warm and sincere comment. Er...no, I am not alright. I am in deep, deep depression and it is tough trying to keep afloat. Thanks for asking. The rest of the family is doing well though, including my hammy :-).
Re the Perak thingy, *sighs*, I am in utter dismay and it will take a miracle of a change in heart and minds to dislodge a government that is like that.
Oh - were you in the R.C of Singapore (Marina Bay) or KL? If ever you are coming to Penang, do let me know. It will be my pleasure to show you some Penang hospitality...I will be swinging down to Singapore soon :-).
Wakil means State Assembly representative...What you shared about your aunt is typical of the average UMNO loyalist...though I don't think there will be war though.
What the country needs now is a major revamp in the way people are trying to bring about change in the general level of awareness. The prevailing mood of dissent is most unhealthy.
Believe me, I can see how the negativism in the country has made many people negative, ruthless and insensitive in their dealings with others and I find it tragic that external circumstances can influence the way people relate (or don't relate) to each other.
Whilst some may be away of the path of destruction, I think many are more concerned about their own needs and are taking a micro rather than macro view of the situation, and in the process, losing that part of them which is human. Sad but true.
Thanks for your empathy for us in Malaysia and I appreciate your warm wishes and friendship.
Take care and please keep in touch.
warmest wishes,
mws
shinelight Hi Masterwordsmith
I hope all is well with you and family. You are right, Eugene can teach us a lot of things about ourselves. I hope he goes all the way to the BGT final.
On a separate note, I was waiting for your commentary on the new development in Perak - Zambry's reappointment as the MB. You are right, it will be very difficult to dislodge a ruling government. They'll try everything in their sleeves.
I was having lunch at Ritz-Carlton last Thursday when I saw a bunch of Datuks and Datins with a General at the hotel lobby. It was only later that I learnt PM Najib was on his way to the hotel for a 2-day visit to Singapore. Had I knew earlier, I would have stayed on and say hi to him. :D
Oh yes, I met my aunt this afternoon during a cousin's wedding ceremony. She was a former wakil (I don't know what that means) for Wanita Umno in Selangor. She left politic 2 years ago but I feel she still have some affiliation with Umno. I must say that she has extreme and uncompromising views about Malaysia politic. When I asked her whether there would be a possibility that the ruling government be dislodged in the next election, she replied that there would be a war if that were to happen.
I wish such extreme views remain at individual level. I like to believe that the leaders are aware that the political quandary will lead to nothing but more harm to the nation. In the meantime, keeping our head cool and working within what is legal in the country's judiciary system is important.
These are difficult times for Malaysians who wish for a change and a better future for their country. I would like to wish all Malaysians well.
Warmest regards