Vision, Planning, and Discipline

As I have written before, embracing change is an important life skill. As I reflect on my wife and my recent move to a new home, three key aspects stand out for implementing big life changes: a clear vision, sound planning, and discipline to successfully execute.

With respect to vision, we had been discussing a move for a long time, and I am confident that this will be good for us. Being clear what you want to achieve (and why you want to do it) is essential and also very helpful when the going gets tough, as it invariably will.

Second is sound planning, working though all the required steps and creating a calendar. Plans are always subject to modification, of course, but it is important to embrace the 5 P’s: prior planning prevents poor performance. This upfront investment of time and energy is critical to success!

Third is the discipline to carry through on implementation of the plan. Having both a clear vision and a good plan sure help when the going gets tough – all three steps work together! I have been keeping my eye on the prize as I struggle through the myriad of tasks that have been required for our move.

What changes are you resisting that could make your life better?  Start with articulating a vision of what you want to achieve and why you want to do it. Then you will be ready to move on to planning and execution.

We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!