Comments on: Tough (Question) Tuesday: What’s the smallest step you can take?

By: Action Paths and Action Themes

Action Paths and Action Themes — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:56:44 +0000

[...] I was reading and responding to this post at “When I Grow Up” I realized that it wasn’t the actual actions that were easier to [...]

By: admin

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:41:07 +0000

Jeremie – Thanks for the explanation. I really consider you a “goal expert” so was interested in how you make things happen.

Alex – I’m blaming it on a crazy-busy summer, because I’ve been blog deprived too! There’s so much going on that I haven’t been able to read any of my faves. I’ll stop by yours soon, though – I miss my Strawberry Lemonade!

By: Alex*

Alex* — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:20:35 +0000

Hi Michelle!!
I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to visit my BYW friend’s and I wanted to stop by and say hi….and GREAT topic!! I’ve been obsessed with trying to NOT be online as much. It’s such a time suck, and while I love surfing and reading and exploring….sometimes ya have to PUT THE MOUSE DOWN and back away from the computer.

Looks like things are going so well over here! Yay!
xo
alex

By: Jeremie Miller

Jeremie Miller — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:59:14 +0000

I do a bit of both. I “backward plan” my goals (another future post) so I write down the final goal result then I write down the action that results in that final achievement. Then I write down the action that would result in that last action, etc. until I have a map all the way back to the very first action I need to take.

Then I start with the first action and work my way up the action path to the final result. Along the way I adjust actions, add actions, and delete actions as needed, so it is a fluid process.

I took the backward planning approach from my education training as it is a way of developing unit plans and lesson plans for teaching.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:43:09 +0000

You’re on a roll, Jeremie! Do you usually work by starting with a big task & breaking it into small steps right away, or do you decide on the next step as you go?

By: Jeremie

Jeremie — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:52:38 +0000

Alexia – congratulations on linking together a whole stream of related actions.

I find that if I group together similar actions like you did, and focus on that action path completing each item builds motivation and actually gives me energy. So, I end up using energy to do the first action, and instead of feeling tired after the output of energy I feel even more energized. Then I use that energy to complete the next action, and it all starts to snowball into getting a whole bunch of actions done at once.

Hmmmm….time to use the energy from this post to go and write myself a blog post.

Thanks!

By: admin

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:29:07 +0000

Alexia – That is way more than picking a date! Super amazing. Did it get less scary once you took that first step, or did you get excited/feel like you were on a roll? Would love to hear why you chose to do so much when you only committed to picking a date for your webinar.

Linnea – I live for lists! Hope your mind dump goes well & it gives you some brain room.

By: Linnea

Linnea — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:18:00 +0000

Making lists. Just pick up the pen, grab the paper, and make a list of what I need to do so I don’t forget to do any of it.

By: Alexia

Alexia — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:53:58 +0000

Ok. I chose a date, found the service I’m going to use, recorded an audioboo (http://audioboo.fm/boos/42691-upcoming-wordpress-screen-cast-july-30) about the webinar, scheduled a blog post for tomorrow. no turning back now! Now all I need are questions… I love answering questions! so that’s what’s motivating me. I figure doing it one-on-one is fine, but with webinars/screencasts I can reach so many more!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:48:22 +0000

You guys are amazing! Thanks to you all for jumping in & being so friggin candid.

Alexia – You’re planning your first webinar, I’m planning my first group coaching sessions – ain’t it scary? And kinda fun? It really is about taking that first step, or finding some impetus that motivates you. For me, it was my scholarship applications. Reading all of them made me want to help, & put me into action in organizing & offering some group coaching. What could be your motivation for your first webinar?

Laura – Thanks so much for that SARK link! I took a peek but know it’s too much for me to absorb with my limited time, so I’m gonna make sure to check it out later. Love that the first step to cleaning the closet is “Open the closet!” Seems so silly & yet so smart.

Jeremie – Sunday Success = small steps! Sorry, couldn’t help the alliteration right there. I think your blog is a great resource for goal setting – everyone should click on Jeremie’s name & check out his site!

Cassandra – (Blush) Aw shucks ma’am!