What Works column: When to plan and when to act

You can’t act without a plan and you won’t benefit from planning without taking action. But how do you strike that balance? How do you know it’s time to stop thinking and start doing? This was the topic of my Motivation Monday Q&A which I hold each Monday live from Adams Hub for Innovation. You can watch the replay on the What Works Coaching Facebook page here.

Make your goals smarter.
You may be familiar with the SMART goal format to goal setting. When you assure your goal is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound, you can be more clear on what you are doing. The key is to find your starting point.
Find your starting point by asking how.

Contact 5 new potential clients a day. How?
Join a networking group. How? Does it fit your target market? What will you get from it?
Use social media. How? How often? What is your focus here?

By asking how, you can drill down to what your SMART goal should be. You find the starting point of the trail versus trying to jump in at the middle. That’s a SMARTER goal.

I make a lot of rafting references during my coaching. This is not just because I love rafting, but because there are a lot of truths there. What happens when you jump on the river right at the class 4 rapid? Do you have time to gear up? Do you have time to brace yourself? Can you communicate with your team? By surveying the goal before you set it, you can find your starting point.

This comes back to strategy. Why are you doing what you are doing? What is the bigger picture? How can you make micro goals that fit into your larger vision? How can you focus?

Yes, my column this week includes a lot of questions. However, these questions hold the key to action. Once you ask them, you will find your starting point and you can act with confidence. You will feel less scattered. You will know you are acting with purpose toward a goal.

LEARN AND GROW




Ongoing: Motivation Monday with Diane Dye Hansen at Adams Hub for Innovation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Email grow@adamshub.com to schedule an appointment).

February 28, 2017: Vision Board and Vision Statements Workshop hosted by The Sophisticates Networking Group at Pizza Factory, Fallon – 6:00 pm – Members: $20 – Non-Members: $30 Email diane@whatworkscoaching.com for details.

March 21, 2017: How to Use LinkedIn to Build Your Business – Tuesday Lunchbox Training Noon – 1:00 pm at Adams Hub for Innovation.

March 27, 2017: What Works for Accountability, Carson Valley Chicks Connect, Bella Fiore Wine 11:30 am

April 8, 2017: Diane (Big) and Isabell (Little) speak at the Big Chefs, Big Gala for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada at the Grand Sierra Resort. https://bbbsnn.ejoinme.org/Gala2017

April 12, 2017: Diane mentors at Entrepreneurs Assembly (Occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month in The Studio at Adams Hub for Innovation).

May 4, 2017: Diane speaks at the American Business Women’s Association, Reno-Tahoe Express Network, Atlantis Casino, Non-members: $25 includes lunch, Email diane@whatworkscoaching.com for an invitation and details.
Schedule your individual or group coaching session, including a free 30-minute consultation at www.whatworkscoaching.com.

June 20, 2017: What Works for Forward Momentum, Professional Saleswomen Network (PSN), Living the Good Life, 11:30 a.m.

What Works Coaching

Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, an individual and organizational coaching and consulting firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.