5 Action planning
Some changes happen in life without planning, or without you taking action. Others need your focus, attention and energy, if they are to take place. If you want changes in a specific direction, then you need to take charge of that process and plan what you are going to do to make it happen.
A good action plan breaks down your goals into smaller, more specific steps in order to make them more achievable. One of Jon’s goals is to gain a degree within four years. He asks himself four questions:
- What do I need to do to realise the goal?
- How I can do this?
- What resources might I need to help me?
- When do I need to take action to secure these resources?
The table below shows how Jon collated his answers and acted. It is an example of the kind of action plan you might want to create.
| My goal | |
|---|---|
| A degree within four years | |
| What? | How? |
Need to do 90 credits per year Allocate realistic time for study, i.e. 24 hours per week |
Do breakdown of typical week Note best and worst times of day for study Timetable in 24 hours using as much ‘best time’ as possible Think about which study tasks I might tackle during ‘difficult’ times, e.g. watching course videos |
| Resources to help | When? |
Tom, my line manager – to negotiate some study leave and/or flexible working hours Clare – to add key family commitments to timetable, e.g. parents’ evenings Parents – to ask for help with children and garden |
Talk to Tom during my appraisal on 10 November Talk to Clare next weekend while children are at swimming lessons and do timetable Ask Mum and Dad over for a meal next week |