PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT MOVE 2014© 2013
by Wayne D. Lewis,
Sr.
“You have to learn the rules of
the game. And then you
have to play better than anyone else.”
Albert
Einstein[1]
Theme: What is your Master Plan?
2014 is less than 7 months
away. For many of us, it will be another
year filled with surprises. For many of
us, it will be a time with newborns, weddings, promotions, and, unfortunately,
job losses, divorces, and most certainly, deaths, In 2014, there will be elections of
Congressional and Senatorial representatives, Mayors, Governors, and other
important community representatives. There
will be passages of laws and ordinances, some of which yet to be put on the
table, others that will have already been passed, and just waiting for January 1,
2014. Just like the Affordable Care Act,
or Obamacare. We can expect new
construction of stores, apartments, and homes in 2014. Regardless of what is going to happen in
2014, we will have an opportunity to take part in, or witness some
extraordinary things. Many of which I
hope will be positive achievements for all involved, deaths, divorces and job
losses excluded.
Coming in 2014-Jurassic Park:
But this post is not about what
is going on in businesses, organizations or politics, per se. It is about us, as individuals. The question before us, if we are interested
is, what is our Master Plan? What does
2014 hold for us, and how do we plan to fulfill our dreams and desires for a
successful year? What are we doing
today? Are we on track? Are we on a track at all? Or, are we winging it? Or, are we hoping that everything will go
right, by chance? I don’t think that we
are, but I want to make sure that we all share a common goal in pursuing our
various achievements, especially for 2014.
Three meanings for Master Plan[2]
n.- A
plan giving comprehensive guidance or instruction.
n- a comprehensive long-term strategy
n- a general plan for achieving an
objective.
Each of the above meanings are
similar, with an emphasis, whether implied or stated on a “plan”. Note however, the other terms associated with
having a Master Plan: comprehensive
guidance or instruction; comprehensive long-term strategy and, a general plan
for achieving an objective.
While I like these references,
the one that most addresses where I hope we all are striving for is, a
“comprehensive guidance or instruction” “for achieving “ a “long-term
strategy”. Can we do that? Yes! We should be able to do anything that
puts us in a position that allows our goals or our plans to take on a life of
their own. What most sticks out to me is
“long-term strategy”. For us, looking
forward for 2014, we need a long-term strategy.
We need to know that day by day, week by week and so on, that we know
where we are at any given time, and where we need to be because we have a
long-term strategy. We need to know,
that absent any major change in our lives, that is unforeseeable, and/or
uncontrollable, we are on track to achieve some great things. Basically, and theoretically, we are track to
make our Master Plan a thing of reality.
But commitment is the key, and we need to understand that there will be
many distractions along the way. We
probably need to incorporate into our long-term strategy a
distraction-detector, so that anytime a “shiny object” appears in our line of
vision, we give it a test. For example:
- What does this mean to my goals and objectives?
- How much will this improve my plans to meet my goals?
- Is there a financial benefit to this particular distraction?
New Halo coming in 2014 for Xbox
4:
You may come up with your own
test, but this is very important for those of us (like me) who get up on shiny
objects, and before we know it, we are behind on our schedules and plans. And who do we have to blame? No one but ourselves. So, putting a type of distraction test in
place, within our strategies, would be a great idea.
Intel Broadwell Coming In 2014,
14 Nanometer On Track:
Right Now
Right now, let’s assume the
worst. Let’s assume that we have allowed
ourselves to distracted by a “shiny object”.
Let’s assume that we have no goals at all, or that we put our goals on
the back burner because everything that we have done for 2013 has failed. Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that
everything that we have done for 2013 is about to crumble and fall, but we are
willing to do what we can to make it better.
That right now, with our dreams firmly fixed on 2014, we can turn things
around and begin to do something to erase any semblance of the errors,
mistakes, or shiny objects that we have focused on too long. Why make this assumption?
For many of us, we get too
comfortable when we start accomplishing our goals. Things start going well, and all of the
things that we did to get to where we are, well, we let them go. We begin to believe that everything is all
well. For many of us, we assume that it’s
smooth sailing all the way- all the way into retirement. It is not unusual that for those of us who
get well on our way, that we discard, or disregard all of the wonderful things
that we have done to become the success that we are. But somewhere, somehow, the engine starts
sputtering. Some how or another, either
through a failure to use foresight or, to be mindful of the many economic
changes that are happening around us, we find ourselves loosing altitude. And unfortunately, some of us start gaining a
little attitude-a bad attitude. We blame
everyone else, instead of looking at how we have allowed our strategy to get
out of hand. Let’s not blame anyone else. We are still in charge of our destiny, and we
still can recover from our shortfalls, if we want to. We just need to get back to the basics,
quickly.
If not quickly enough, we may learn
all too soon, or too late, that things have changed, people who played a role
in our achievement have moved on. Their
support, while still valued, will not make the difference instantly, we will
need to rebuild relationships that we should have maintained all along. Right now, we need to look at where we are,
and do some serious regrouping, recovery, and refocusing.
Publisher:
Sen. Warren book coming out in 2014:
What did it take to be successful
before?
As a sales professional, we are
affected by numbers. Allow me if you
will, to superimpose numbers in this discussion, for demonstration purposes
only. Your circumstances may vary.
Numbers for us as sales
professional speak to us. We are
virtually required to look at how many contacts we have made, how many people
did we talk to, or how many sales did we close.
Without getting into complex math, as sales people, we are constantly
aware that if we set a goal to call 100 people a week, and that if we are doing
this consistently, that we should net 3 out of 10 calls that result in a
lead. This suggests 30 people. Does this mean a sale? No, it suggests that we have a possible lead. If for example, out of the 30 people that we do
talk to, 10 give us additional leads,
other than themselves. Believe it or
not, we are making progress. How does
that translate at this point?
If out of 100 calls, we get 10
leads, that’s 10% of where we started.
Of that 10, we need to be able to pull half or 5 prospects whom we
believe are serious about buying a home.
If we are committed to the basics, we should be able to meet this goal
at least once a week. That is, if we are
serious about our goals to sell 20 homes a month, or possibly 120 homes a year. That is, if we are on a workable track. But, we have to commit to doing this
everyday. As sales professionals, we
have to commit to this exercise of building business everyday, expecting an
outcome that will pay off in the long run and, for the long term.
Again, this is just one portion
of a goal. There are other aspects, such
as, how much do we anticipate the average price to be of the homes that we
sell, or how many of these homes are listed.
Other goals include calling FOR SALE BY OWNERS, or calling
expireds. If for us, as sales professionals,
we fall short of our overall goal, then we need to look at what we are doing,
or failing to do that keeps us from meeting our goals. It is at this point, we need to know where we
need to be, and that whatever sacrifices we have made before, we now have to
make them again, if not by next month, but by 2014. And, if we stay on track, we are going to
achieve some phenomenal things.
What is the Need for Developing
an Individualized Master Plan?
Earlier, we mentioned that coming
in 2014, there will no doubt be the implementation of several Master Plans on
many major fronts. Many of these plans (not
our own) will require us as citizens, students, or employees, to do a certain
set of things in order for others’ plans to be successful. Some of those plans will require that we
either register for assistance, submit bids, pay taxes, pay increased fees, take
courses and/or certifications, or, adjust our lifestyles accordingly in some significant
way in order for others’ plans to be successful. As long as it is legal what is required of
us, it is fair to conclude that others’ Master Plans will all be
successful.
But what
about our own Master Plans? And what
will we require of others in order to help us achieve success going
forward? Do we need a Master Plan? I
believe that we do, and the sooner we realize that, the sooner we will
determine the essential elements or components necessary to achieve our
goals. Our Master Plan, as we can refer
to it, if we choose, is our most serious commitment to our goals. No doubt we have seen others who have
maintained some semblance, if not an exact template of a Master Plan. For example, athletes who participate in the
Olympics. They are the greatest example
of individuals who are extremely committed to their goals, and work diligently
to achieve success in areas such as swimming, gymnastics, track, wrestling
and/or any Olympic-oriented team sports such as basketball. We need not stop at sports or the
Olympics. We know that others have their
commitment to their goals in areas of science, engineering, business, and
politics. There are many great examples
of those who have executed their Master Plans, and who, like many of us, have
found a way, when they have fallen short, or have had to start from scratch,
they end up achieving a greater amount of success, using their own Master Plan.
Countdown!
Is it possible to have a Master
Plan on an individual level? I believe
it is, but it is important to understand what a Master Plan means. It essentially means that we have a long term
plan that, regardless of who is the Mayor, or the President, that our success
is on-going. It means that for us, our
Master Plan sells itself, to the point that others want to get on board. In order for that to happen, we must be
committed beyond this week or this month.
It means that we are committed well into 2014 and beyond. But before 2014 gets here, we have to take
stock of where we are today, and what it is that it will take to have a successful
Master Plan.
If for many of us, we already
have a Master Plan, then there is no need to keep reading this. You are set.
But for others of us who have yet to put together a Master Plan, we need
to do our homework so that we don’t continue to fall short of our goals. So what are the necessary components needed
to put together a great Master Plan?
No Need to Reinvent the Wheel
Our lives are surrounded by
successful men and women, as well as businesses that have been out here for
quite some time. Many of those who
surround us successfully have managed to survive technological challenges, economic
challenges, and other challenges unique to their respective areas, that have
done very little to keep them from achieving their various goals and
objectives. For these achievers, the
wheel rolls and rolls and rolls. How and
why is up to us to ask, research, but never assume that we know how they
accomplish what they do. But, we should
be seeking their wisdom and experience in terms of how, as individuals, and
businesses they continue to be successful.
By doing our homework, we avoid reinventing the wheel for success. Below is an example of what we should be
looking for in our research. Our
circumstances may differ..
- What is it that you want to accomplish for 2014 and beyond?
- How do you plan to do this?
- What Personal Resources will you access?
- What is it that you will continue to do or, continue to do?
- How many widgets do you plan to sell?
- How many contacts will you make to promote your
goals?
- Budget
- How much monthly, annually
- Who will monitor/oversee
- Sources of funds
- What will be funded?
- Equipment
- Supplies
- Personnel
- Memberships
- Miscellaneous
- Source of Income and financial support
- Sales
- Existing job income
- Loan(s)
- Donations and/or contributions
- What changes are you willing to make to achieve your goals?
- Streamline previous goals and objectives
- Disengage friendships, partnerships or negative relationships
- Invest in new friendships, partnerships or positive
relationships (association memberships, community activities, or
professional activities)
- Invest in any academic, or educational activity that
increases credentials
- Personal Goals that include weight loss, savings, starting a
business, completing long term or short projects
- 2015 Annual Goals-Start at #1
- 2016 Annual Goals-Start at #1
State of Maryland Information
Technology Master Plan Fiscal Year 2014:
Does Calling it a Master Plan
make it more likely that it will be achieved?
It is really a matter of it all being
up to us, individually. When we look at
governmental entities, businesses and organizations, schools, or churches, etc.
they have the luxury of committees and groups that sit down and work out the
pros and cons of what their future holds.
As individuals, we may only have the luxury of family and close friends
whom we may trust to put together an action plan and get their feedback. If that is the case, then, that is great that
we have some type of support system.
Otherwise, individually, we have to sit down with ourselves and map out
strategies that we will need to either incorporate, or assemble for a better
possibility of achievement. Will calling
it a Master Plan make it more achievable?
If it is a plan at all, that is
great in itself. But what makes it most
achievable is the attention to detail and follow through. We can call it tomato soup if we want to, but
if we aren’t following through and doing the things that we outlined in our
plan, then it doesn’t matter what we call it.
What makes all of this most
achievable is our desire to see it come true, and our commitment to make
corrections, add to it, or even take things out of the plan that we know will
not help us in the long run. It’s not
what we call our plans, it’s how we apply ourselves to what we have put on the
table. If calling our goals for 2014 and
beyond a Master Plan, and it motivates us to do every single thing, every
single day, then, Master Plan it is! But
always be mindful of the commitment factor.
That’s what truly makes it a master plan: commitment and following
through.
Infrastructure master plan implementation begins 2014 —
Minister:
Conclusion-What Great Things Are
You Preparing for in 2014?
The first time I ever paid
attention to the term Master Plan, it seemed offensive. It seemed as though it implied rigidity,
unyielding, inflexible. And while that
impression hasn’t changed much, I now embrace the term. I embrace, and hope
that you will too with respect to what you have to accomplish in your life for
2014. I guess the rigidity factor to me
suggested that there was no room for change, or adjustments. I know now that the perception of
inflexibility was important, even for me.
I was slow to embrace any plan that did not suggest that I could erase,
backspace, or delete something along the way.
While that maybe true for cities, organizations, schools or companies,
that can’t be true for us, as individuals.
Yes, we should have a rigid plan.
We should have something that puts us on a solid track into the
future. But we should never assume that
adjustments, corrections, or deletions can’t be made in our goals. After all, we are humans, not machines.
Setting reasonable goals for 2014
may mean, a “comprehensive guidance or instruction” “for achieving “ a
“long-term strategy”. It may mean, having
a goal is better than having none at all.
But having a goal that challenges us means the most of all. As long as our goals serve as some type of
guidance or instruction, we should be able to achieve great things for
2014. We should be able to measure our
success, day by day, month by month, and not fall prey to “shiny objects”. It will be tough and challenging to get ready
for 2014, but if it worth striving for, it is worth sacrificing by remaining
committed to all of our achievable goals.
Good luck going forward for 2014, and beyond.
Links on setting Goals and Master
Plans:
All
information deemed to be from reliable sources but is not guaranteed. Please consult with your respective
professionals before beginning any financial, medical, or legal regiment. Your results may vary.
[1] Albert
Einstein Quote- http://thinkexist.com/quotation/you_have_to_learn_the_rules_of_the_game-and_then/253063.html
[2]3
meanings for the term Master Plan- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/master+plan
