EASY STEPS TO PERSONAL GROWTH

As a coach and consultant, people constantly tell me what they should be doing. The problem is that they usually aren't doing what they think they should be!

I recently coached 15 Financial Planners on developing team skills and personal growth plans. I asked this group how many had a financial plan for the next ten years. 2 of the 15 planners said they did. Only 2! I then asked them how many had a budget. Only one did. I asked if anyone had a 5-year goal, and 4 out of the 15 acknowledged they had some plan for the next five years.

I was amazed that this room of high-level financial planners who all believed it was very important to have a financial goal, for the most part, did not have goals or plans themselves. Many people want to make the best of their lives and make a difference, but like the financial planners in that room, they don't have a plan. They then hit "mid-life" and have a crisis, wondering what they have done with their life. The old saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Having and following a plan is essential for success and making your goals and dreams a reality.

Statistics tell us that of all who read this article, around 5% will follow through and make a change. So, to the 5%, let me share some simple steps to get your life on track to fulfill your purpose. If you want to succeed in achieving your life goals, I encourage you to adopt the GROW method.

G is for Goal: What goals do you want to achieve? What would you like to do with your life that is impacting? Maybe it is to run your own business or be CEO of another. Perhaps it is to work with those less fortunate than yourself or be a minister or chaplain. Maybe you have a sporting goal or a holiday goal. What is your life goal? Be as specific as you can. Take time to ensure you want to achieve the goal and know why you want to do it—knowing why will keep you motivated through the tough times. When you know – write it down as clearly as possible.

R is for Reality: Your reality is where you are right now. Maybe you have a weight loss goal. Identify honestly what you weigh now. Where are you at compared to your goal? What do you have or don't have to achieve what you are aiming for? Take stock of your life and identify where you are on the road to achieving your life's purpose and dreams.

O is for Options: When you know your goal and have identified where you are, what options are available to close the gap between your Goals and Reality? What steps can you take to achieve your goals? Put this into a series of SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed. What do you need to change to achieve your goals? Who in your world can assist you? Put together a realistic plan with realistic time frames around them – steps to achieving your goal starting from where you are.

W is for Will: Do you have the will to take action? Do you have the desire to put in the work to achieve your purpose in life? If not, then why not? Is it because you don't believe in the goal? If so, then reassess the goal. Does it look too hard? Maybe you can break it into smaller steps over a longer period to make it easier. I once had a goal to play the guitar, but I realized when I mapped it out I didn't have the will to pay the price of practicing every day. I liked the idea of playing the guitar but didn't want to pay the price. Do you have the will? If not, is it because it is not really something you want to achieve, or is there something blocking you? Identify the blockage and make a plan to overcome it. You can do it!

Now, write your plan, schedule it in your diary, and succeed! To help you identify goals and develop the right thinking to achieve success, download one of the self-coaching eBooks to start you on your journey. They can be found at philkinney.com. When God made you, He made you with a plan and purpose. He made you awesome. He describes you as Wonderfully Made! Don't settle for anything less than being all you were created to be!