Goal process and achievement plan review
To ensure the job is done correctly, carpenters are taught to measure twice and cut once. It’s the same with your life goals. One last review to make sure we have it right.
Introduction
My brother is a carpenter. He has built beautiful homes, performed extensive remodels, and provided general carpentry services for his customers for many years. He is a craftsman. His work is high quality and he takes pride in it, as he should. He and I, along with my dad, built a house for my parents here in Tulsa. Well, let me say my brother did a lot of work and acted, along with my dad, as general contractor for work that subs had to do, such as pouring the foundation, brick work, plumbing and electrical and that kind of stuff. I was what he called a “saw man.” As the master builder and expert, he made the decisions and when he needed a piece of lumber, he would call out what he needed and what length to cut it to. My job was to measure and cut it so that each piece was just right.
Years earlier, he told me a story about an apprentice carpenter who was tasked with cutting a large interior beam to fit. Well, apparently, he got confused about the proper measurement and cut the beam too short. When a person makes this kind of mistake, there is really nothing to do about it, and it’s just a costly error. It was when he told me this story and when I worked with him to build my parents’ home that I learned the value of not only measuring twice before making critical cuts in wood, but also of taking my time and ensuring critical tasks are completed correctly. It is the same in my profession, aircraft maintenance. Because accidents can occur, critical tasks require not only that they be performed correctly but also that an inspector follow the mechanic to verify correctness. These are examples of something that is called Critical to Quality (CTQ) and is a key measurable characteristic of a product or service that is essential to customer satisfaction. In the case of the beam that was cut too short, the failure was purely economic. Someone, likely the builder, would have to eat the cost of a new beam. If you are repairing an aircraft and the task is not done correctly, the result could be a relatively minor economic outcome, with no one injured and the cost to correct it minimal, or it could be much worse. I think you know what I mean.
And so it is as we get ready to put pen to paper (or keyboard strokes in Excel), as we get ready to finalize our lifetime goals in a document we will use the rest of our lives. Because you are taking the time to do this, and the process has been proven over time, I trust you will be motivated to complete your goals, and there is a high likelihood of success. You will achieve your dreams. Any failure is likely to have minimal consequences, as we are implementing review processes to detect and correct deficiencies early. And if I could make an analogy, it’s our equivalent of measuring twice and cutting once to obtain the desired outcome.
Fundamentals of effective goal setting
We’ve reviewed the goal-setting process numerous times, but let’s do it one last time to make sure you have it down pat:
Life goals should be clearly defined: “I will do this by this date, AND WILL achieve this specific outcome.”
Use SMART goals-Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Time Bound.
Write them down, and remember: repetition, discipline, consistency.
Goals should be challenging AND attainable.
Be committed, don’t be interested.
How YOU think is everything.
Remember the coffee and avocado toast story.
I think we’ve reviewed how to set and achieve goals effectively enough. I’m sure you have it by now.
Final questions to ask yourself
Because you have your financial, professional, and personal goals already defined and documented, you’ve probably seen that they are interrelated. For example, many personal goals are either free or very low-cost. If you enjoy these activities, it will affect your financial needs in that you will need less money than if you enjoy more costly activities.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do the life goals YOU have set for yourself honestly reflect who YOU are?
Life goal setting AND achievement is a marathon, not a sprint. Things will change over time. That’s OK, OK?
Are YOU committed? Or just interested?
What techniques will YOU use to stay on track over time?
How do YOU find balance?
How do you know when enough is enough?
We’re going to answer these questions in a little bit. For now, I just want to continue to drive this kind of thinking.
After you complete this course, it’s up to you if you choose to go forward and achieve the things in life you want. To be happy and successful. To achieve your dreams and live your best life.
The question is really quite simple…Are you interested or committed?
Remember, how you think is everything!
That’s all for this week!
Details Are Important. Measure Twice, Cut Once
Afterburner Success Partners
http://absuccesspartners.com/
What’s in it for me?
If you want to get ahead in life, if you want to achieve your dreams and live your best life, you must take meaningful, deliberate action that follows a proven path. It does not matter if it is a financial, professional or personal goal. That’s what we do at Afterburner Success Partners!
Call to Action
Just. Do. Something. Make a decision on what you want or need to do, define the path, and get after it. Do it today.
Recommended Resources
See notes below for either of my books.
Up Next
The priority matrix for lifetime goals.
Notes
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.
Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life, by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/3IxEFgy
Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us, by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/437OhVQ