I don’t know about you but I have this tendency to put myself in challenging positions.  Very often I do it without much fore thought.  It seems like a good idea and so I go for it.  Sometimes things work out well (as in I accomplish what I wanted to accomplish, or I learned something even if I didn’t accomplish what I wanted to) and other times, well not so good.

Over the last year or so as I’ve put myself in these challenging positions I’ve begun to pay attention to what I did and didn’t do. Today I’m going to share four keys that I’ve found help me create a successful outcome. You’ll also notice they are key components to my Sage Mentor program.

They are Vision, Plan and Action.

1)      Vision – it doesn’t matter how big or small something is if you don’t have a vision you can articulate it’s a real challenge to create something.  Additionally, keep clarifying it as you’re creating because sometime where you thought you were going isn’t really where you’re supposed to go.

2)      Plan – create a plan, one of the first things to do is write down all the stuff in your head that you’re thinking about.  A spreadsheet is perfect for this because then you can sort and move stuff around and easily add something if you need to.  I’m also going to share a secret with you.  If you get blocked while creating your plan add these three steps.  Write down any questions you have, read about your topic or idea and list who you ask about you idea, or find out more information.

3)      Action – Now it’s time to start taking action, and doing what you wrote down.  As you find out more and your plan changes or your vision get’s clearer update your vision and plan and keep moving.  You can vision and plan all you want but if you don’t take action you’ll never get anyplace.

The last key is your mindset.

4)      Mindset – check your mindset as you’re creating your vision and plan and while you’re taking action.  Pay attention to what’s going on.  Are you moving forward or are you stuck or even moving backwards, possibly ready to give up?  If you find yourself downsizing your vision, procrastinating or avoiding working your plan altogether it’s time to pay attention to what’s going on in your mind.  Sometimes you’re mind will be silent, more often than not because you’ve shut down those thought.  You’ll know something’s not right though because you’ll feel it in your body (maybe your gut, or a tight chest or stiff neck, maybe even a headache.)

I’ll be sharing more about what you can do to create a positive supportive mindset next week.

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Jane works with CEOs, Partners, Principals and Executives who are looking for Clarity, Focus and Release. My clients and colleagues call me a thought provoking Business Therapist.  My focus is helping overwhelmed executives regain clarity, let go of ambiguity, uncertainty and fear, while bringing focus to their goals and objectives.  I ask the hard questions knowing that you’re ready to answer them.

Sage Mentor – Grow Your Business is a unique program for Women Entrepreneurs.

Jane is also the author of Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Kick Your Fears in the Ass.

Additional information is available at www.lovasconsulting.com. Contact Jane by email jlovas@lovasconsulting.com or by telephone at 703.981.3157703.981.3157