Take Charge!

Start your planning strategy right now! Be your own boss, write that novel, compose that song, make that movie, build that house, buy that retirement home. 

What is your big dream? Is it to write a novel? Has your life been so interesting that you have a memoir inside, just waiting to be shared? Do you have a melody and the next great lyrical masterpiece floating around in your brain? Is the stage calling your name; do you see your name in lights above Broadway or your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Or have you been dreaming of your own little mom and pop business, a cottage industry or brick and mortar office/shop?  What about that dream vacation, trip around the world, or the beach condo, mountain lodge, or lake house you have in mind for your retirement days? 

How to you get there? Well, gosh, I sure don't know! Hahaha! You thought I would have some great answer to that? Wrong. But I do know some steps to get there and the first few are so easy. They are the same steps to tackling any other task, problem, or goal you aim to reach.

NO DISTRACTIONS

Begin by removing all distractions. Turn your phone and all electronics off, including anything that has quick and easy access to social media! There is no need to check your messages for a while, no need to see what your BFF's latest status is, or keep up with the most recent tweets of your favorite celebrity tweeters. 

COMFORT

Find a nice quiet place, in the most ergonomic position available, in your most comfortable clothes. Personally, my idea of the perfect setting is a rocking chair, on my porch, in my favorite pajamas! And don't forget the cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, or maybe your preference would be a glass of wine or ice cold sweet tea!

BE PREPARED

All you need is a notebook (the paper kind) and a pen. I suggest a notebook instead of your laptop or notebook (the electronic kind) because it is much too easy to fall into the temptations that social media and web browsing offer.  It is always good to have a calendar (maybe for up to 24 months) handy, too.

LIST, LIST, AND LIST AGAIN

When you are about to go on a trip, whether it is across the country, or across town, what do you do? You consult Google Maps, you grab a cup of coffee or a bottle of water, and you head out. Right? Same thing here.  Take a sip of your favorite drink and start listing all the things you want to accomplish, the goals you want to reach.  When you finish that list, make a list of the things you need to do or must do. 

AND MORE LISTS

How can you get anywhere without directions? Can you prepare a dish without a recipe? Do you go to the grocery store without a shopping list? Probably not. When you make your lists of Want To Do and Need To Do, you need to make lists within lists. Under each item on your Want and Need lists, make smaller lists of the resources or skills you need to meet each goal and the things you have to do to get there to be able to mark them off  your list.

PRIORITIZE & ORGANIZE

Now, on your map and directions, you need to know which towns come first so you know where you are and what comes next, right? Well, same thing with mapping out your goals! Take your Want list and prioritize it. The ones that are quickest and easiest to accomplish, put at the top of your list. Get them marked off! Put less miles between you and those ultimate goals! I took a Dave Ramsey course years ago. He urged Baby Steps in gaining financial security. Pay those small bills down first. It's a psychological thing as well as reality---the feeling of accomplishment and encouragement is increased every time something is achieved and marked off your list!

Okay, that's about as far as I can take you, except to say, start working on those lists. Put them where you will see them every day. Every time you can mark something off those lists and sub-lists, DO IT! 

I hope you will comment and tell me what your big goal is, what you are doing to work toward that goal, and how your journey is going!