The old Chinese proverb has been told and re-told so often that it has become a cliché. But that should not cause us to lose sight of the fact that a long journey really does begin with a single step. And another, and another.

I am reading a very interesting new book called, The Seven Minute Difference: Small Steps To Big Changes, by Allyson Lewis. So far, even though she is covering ground already covered by others, her approach has been very interesting and helpful.

Lewis calls these small steps “micro-actions,” and I believe she is on target.

Way back when I was a college student, I wrote a paper on Management By Objectives, which at that time was the trendy business “flavor of the month.” But now, almost thirty years later (am I really that old?) I clearly remember that many studies had found that individuals and organizations that have clearly written “sub goals” were much more successful than those who merely have written goals.

In other words, as important as it is to write down your goals, it is also necessary to have smaller goals that lead, step-by-step, toward the bigger goal.

• There were several reasons why sub goals were so important. First, all of us have a tendency to lose focus if the finish line to our goal is too far away. But if we have a series of sub goals that can be achieved within a short time period, we tend to stay on track.
• Second, sub goals are plans. It is not enough to set a lofty goal of what you want to achieve, you must also have a plan that shows you how to achieve it.
• Third, sub goals are motivating. I tend to get discouraged long before I reach a long-term goal. Or I lose interest or get distracted. But sub goals give us our daily dose of success that can keep us moving forward with the desire to reach the end.
• Fourth, sub goals are progress reports. Nothing lends itself to aimless wandering more than not having signposts to mark the way. A series of sub goals are those signposts that allow us to figuratively look on the map and say, “we are here, and we have only this far to go.”

Nothing great is ever accomplished in a single step. Real success only comes by putting one foot in front of the other until the journey ends. Whether you call them micro actions or sub goals, the steps along the way are just as important as knowing where you want to eventually wind up.

So set goals, but also plan your journey with sub goals or micro actions. That insures that you will actually achieve what you set out to do.

COPYRIGHT(C)2006, Charles Brown. All rights reserved.

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