Creating an Action Plan for Change

We all have changes we’d like to make. Goals around health, relationships, and career are common  but your goal could be just about anything. Coming up with goals isn’t hard, the difficulty is obtaining them.

In order to make a successful, lasting change, you’ll need effort, persistence, and a good plan.

Make your plan specific. Start by clarifying your goal. What, exactly, do you want to accomplish? How will you know you’ve accomplished it? Is there a deadline? When, where, or how will you work toward the goal?

Take small, measurable steps. Most goals can be broken down into a series of small steps. Start with the first small step to make your goal more manageable. You’ll move to the next step after you’ve achieved success with the one before it.

Be prepared for setbacks. Most of us don’t achieve our goals on the first try. Give yourself the mindset of a realistic optimist. Stay positive and confident that you’ll reach your goal in the end, but anticipate mistakes, failures, and setbacks along the way. Brainstorm any barriers that might come between you and success. Decide now how you’ll remove them or deal with them if they come up.  

Review your progress. At each step, take a moment to evaluate how you’re doing. If you’re not making the progress you’d like, ask why. Did you take on too much? Is there something else in your life that’s interfering? Here’s where the persistence comes in: modify your plan and start again. In time, you’ll get there. 

Start planning now with the Hill Physicians action plan.