So far I have defined what Personal Leadership is and discussed how to get started on the excellence track by getting clarity on what is most important to you. The major next step is to break the Vision and Mission down into action plans that you can go ahead with NOW.
Everything from here on must have true clarity as a guiding principle. After all, to create enduring excellence, do only those things that move you toward what is most important. The simplicity of this “top down” planning is to start with the end in mind and work back to now. Break down the Vision and Mission into the next level of MAJOR GOALS or OBJECTIVES. Then break each of these down into STRATEGIES or smaller goals. A good question for yourself is “what are the major steps I need to take to accomplish these major goals?”
When the strategies are defined, break each of them down further into action plans. The question is again, “what do I need to do to make this step happen?” This may require just one further step or several steps – it doesn’t matter as long as definite actions pop out the bottom of this structure (the action, time to do it, people to do it etc). Everything that ends up at the bottom will be completely relevant to the Vision at the top! There will be no irrelevant stuff there at all because of the “Top Down” methodology!
This may appear all too easy but how many of us develop the discipline to actually do and finish the planning? I know from my experience and the experience of others that there are very few who will do it. If you do, you will be among about 5% of the population! Staggering stuff I know!
What do you do next? Get out there and do it! Just get started. Never lose sight of a goal without taking some action.
Why would you do that? Because every action is linked back to the Vision through the Top Down planning you have just completed, making each action relevant and crucial. If you don’t do that action, that part of the Vision will not be achieved and therefore the Vision will not be achieved! Let’s keep it simple! In fact, that is a test for any option that you want to investigate or any new idea you may wish to action – if you can link it to the Vision in a meaningful and honest way, it is worth taking further. If you can’t link it to the Vision in a meaningful way, flush it!
It is vital to have a coach to help you do this planning, to help you learn how to use it so it becomes second nature and to help you keep on track to the achievement of the Vision. The GrowFARM System includes a coaching function as a key component of the system to help you to take leadership in this part of your life. As a Farm Business Owner, this is important as there is so much to know and do in a farm business. In fact in any business a coach is very important. If Olympic Gold Medallists swear by coaches, then perhaps they would be worth it for you too. After all, isn’t your Vision worth a gold medal effort as well?
My next Personal Leadership article will focus on systems to ensure that you stay on track and that you create sustainable results. Doing the planning is the easy part – continuing to take the necessary action is the challenge!
This article appears in the GrowFARM Connector (March 2010) - our monthly e-Newsletter. Click here to subscribe to the e-Newsletter