Today, we’re going to be talking about executing a plan. While the plan on the poster is very busy, I find the blocks are helpful. Let’s get started!
Develop Tasks from Your Milestones
In the plan for the Ironman triathlon, I listed the small and big milestones we discussed last week at the top of the blocks. These milestones are based on my S.M.A.R.T. goal. Underneath each milestone in the video are the different tasks required for each milestone. (Okay, so it’s a lot of boring in this paragraph, however, a S.M.A.R.T goal, milestone blocks, and tasks form the underlying structure of a good plan. Stick with me.)
For example, to learn to swim, I had to research pools, investigate the cost of classes, budget for those classes, register, and then begin those classes.
To train for a marathon, it was necessary for me to pick the marathon and buy a book with the training plan. I read up on nutrition and different running tips to improve my knowledge base (the visual in the video is helpful here).
Key to Executing a Plan
The big key for me when executing a plan is not to look at the final goal but at my current task.
The road to your goal can be overwhelming if you look at the whole thing. Furthermore, it’s ridiculous to think I could be contemplating an Ironman when I haven’t yet learned to swim. So, my focus needs to be on my current task. You need to wear your goal like a hat; it’s always on your mind but not overcrowding your vision.
This makes all the difference (I’m totally serious here)! In my Ironman plan, buying a wetsuit shouldn’t be on my radar until I learn to swim or until I’ve picked my triathlon races. It’s a non-issue until I get to that task because each block builds upon the last (so, I don’t have to think OR worry about it).
My final goal doesn’t appear in the plan until the end of year two (of a three-year plan). So, to be thinking about the final goal at the beginning of your plan is a hindrance. Literally, a hindrance. This is because the goal overwhelms you. It becomes much easier to get discouraged because the goal is too big or there are too many steps.
Where Your Focus Should Be
Therefore, focus on the current milestone and the first task. This is where you set your vision. Only here.
Going through each block and completing your tasks one after the other builds confidence in yourself and in the plan. As I learned to swim and finished a marathon, I began to feel more confident that I could finish an Ironman (which I did).
Breaking the plan into small, easily managed pieces does two things. First, it helps decrease feelings of inadequacy. Second, small, bite-sized tasks increase your confidence level.
In my book, Ten Iron Principles, I described looking only at the next task as The Buoy to Buoy Iron Principle. During an open water swimming practice, I heard overheard a coach tell his athletes that they only had to swim to the next buoy. Once they got to the buoy, they only had to swim to the next buoy.
And, I’ve always done that in my life and with any type of goal. Buoy to buoy. Task to task.
This piece is what I have to do next. So, I’ll focus solely on this. You can do it.
Love, K.
Author, Ten Iron Principles
Originally from 4/16/2018
Very great a advice. Also steps to over come anxiety such as driving long distance in heavy traffic. One mile at a time. Thank you.
Really, it works with anything. Keeping our focus on small, manageable bites is the key.
And one wonders why you are “The Finisher.” 🙂 Well-made plan Ms. Kelly. Obviously your approach works, you’re an Ironman (woman, young lady, whatever). You Finished Ms. Kelly Strong ma’am. Now finish the race sweet friend.
Thanks for the encouragement to take things one step at a time. I seem to have the problem of simultaneously focusing on the big plan while getting bogged down in each detail to get there. I keep trying to do all the sub-items at once, and don’t get as much accomplished. I do best when I write a list of what I need to do, and mark things off as they are completed. We climb mountains one step at a time.
That’s so true. And, it’s one step at a time no matter what the goal. Good luck!
I have a tendency to get lost in the big goal, so I love how you pointed out the need to focus on the CURRENT task, not the overall goal. When I was getting out of debt, that was vital. If I looked at my total debt, it seemed complete;y overwhelming, but by focusing on them one by one and trusting God, I’m now debt free. Thanks for the reminder that I need to apply that same principle to other areas of my life.
I like that idea of swimming from buoy to buoy. That breaks the goal down into manageable parts. But I get tired just listening to you training for a triathlon. Wow, what an accomplishment! Thanks for these great tips on setting goals.
Buoy to Buoy is one of my favorites!