Stairway to Success: The Complete Blueprint for Personal and Professional Achievement

10

DEVELOP STRATEGIES

There usually are half a dozen right answers to “What needs to be done?” Yet unless a [person] makes the risky and controversial choice of only one, he will achieve nothing.

—PETER F. DRUCKER

NoW that you have a vision, you have a set of goals leading to your vision, and you have determined what areas have priority in pursuing your goals, you need a set of strategies to take you to your goals.

Your strategies should meet these criteria:

• They must specify actions to be taken.
• They must specify the person or persons who is to take the actions.
• They must establish a time for beginning the actions.
• They must establish a deadline for completing the actions.
• They must establish criteria for determining when the actions have been satisfactorily completed.

WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN?

How do you decide what actions to take? First, look at the goal you have set for yourself and ask, “What has to happen if I am to reach this goal?” Put your logical left brain to work and make a list of the things that must happen.

This may require some research on your part. If your goal is to open your own business, you’ll need to answer questions such as:

• How much capital will I need to get started?
• Will I need to employ a staff, and if so, how many?
• What legal requirements must be met?
• What is the potential market for my products and services?

You may find answers in your public library or at your local chamber of commerce. You may have to consult a lawyer and accountant. It’s wise ...