Achieve Ambitions and Making It Happen
In the realm of setting and achieving goals, one name stands out – Sir Richard Branson, the visionary founder of Virgin Group, an investment conglomerate with over 200 companies worldwide. His 10-step plan, licensed under CC BY 2.0, offers a practical approach to goal setting that has proven effective for many.
The plan suggests that using SMART objectives can help cut through the mists surrounding many dreams and work out a clear road towards each one. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound, ensuring that the goal is fully defined, it will be possible to determine when it's reached, resources and capabilities are available, and a timescale for reaching the goal is set.
One such example of a SMART goal, as discussed in the article, is "To be the first Englishman on the moon within the next decade." To achieve this ambitious goal, an action plan is essential. This plan should include specific steps to reach the objective, with each action item being a SMART objective.
For instance, the action plan might include achieving optimum physical fitness within 24 months, completing a Master's degree in a relevant science within 2 years, applying to the Indian space program, getting accepted, and completing the training program to be an astronaut.
It's important to prioritise SMART goals by focusing on only one or a few goals at a time. The author of the article, Jean-Louis Zimmermann, emphasises the importance of action planning for achieving goals. He recommends using Branson's 10-step model for identifying goals and applying SMART objectives to help attain them.
Branson's plan includes writing down every idea, carrying a notebook, finding a list method that works, making a list of daily tasks, marking off completed tasks, making goals measurable, setting far-off goals, including personal goals in lists, sharing goals with others, and celebrating successes.
As Branson himself once said, "You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and then falling over." This sentiment echoes the practical nature of Branson's approach to goal setting – it's about taking action, learning from mistakes, and continually striving towards success.
The article concludes by emphasising the importance of sharing goals with others and celebrating successes. After all, the journey to achieving our dreams is not a solitary one, and the support and encouragement of others can make all the difference. So, let's embark on our own journey towards our dreams, armed with Branson's 10-step plan and the power of SMART objectives.
