time for actionThe NLP Disney Strategy (2)

Okay, I’ve got my Plan – now what?

The previous post, and the Newsletter article, about the NLP Disney Strategy provide steps for turning your inspiring Dream into a workable Plan. Or, and this is equally valuable, realising that the inspiring dream is just that – a dream: and that it is unworkable so there is little point in wasting time and energy on it.

Using the Disney Strategy to develop your Plan is the beginning. The next stage is to take your Plan and

  1. Chunk it down into action steps
  2. Ensure you stick with it when the initial flush of enthusiasm falters.

So let’s look at these two pieces.

(1) Milestones + Action Steps

Treat you Plan as your overall strategy to make your Dream a reality. Along the route to this reality you need Milestones so you can assess your progress and so you avoid becoming overwhelmed by the task.

For example, let’s say your Plan is to start a new business. And using the Disney Strategy you’ve identified the following things-to-do:

  1. Do a more detailed assessment of the precise needs of your target market
  2. Based on this identify how you will source the products you will sell (or provide the services)
  3. Plan the logistics, such as premises/office, equipment, staff, out-sourced services, etc
  4. Based on items 1-3 work out a financial plan for the first 2-3 years
  5. Discuss your financial plan with an accountant before seeking funding
  6. Etc.

So you treat each of these stages as a Milestone along the route to your Dream. Then you design a specific plan for reaching each Milestone – so in effect, you have a series of mini projects.

Now use the PECSAW model to complete each mini project.  (Check this article if you’re now familiar with the Pegasus NLP PECSAW model for designing goals). Your first few will probably be in much more detail e.g. the market assessment and sourcing products. As you progress and gather more information you can make later ones more detailed.

2. Motivation

Right, now I’ve got my Plan, identified Milestones and have PECSAWs for reaching the first few of these. So I’m ready to go, aren’t I?

Well, yes, but …  🙂

There’s one more important piece to include: how to ensure that you stay with it! For many people the great ideas begin to falter once they get beyond the planning stage.

Because now it’s time to roll up the sleeves and start doing things. Hour after hour. Day after day. Month after month. Yet it’s this determined stick-at-it-ness that produces the results even if the early enthusiasm falters. Or has to compete with other enthusiasms in your life.

The usual advice is to have a mental image of the completed project that draws them towards it. And this works for a lot of people – especially if they keep thinking about and nurturing the Dream.  But it’s a good idea to also have a ‘What if you don’t stick at it?’ motivation strategy, too. A motivation strategy that sort of nips at your heels like a terrier if you start to dither or delay!  And this motivation technique is described here on our main website.

(In case you have not already checked it: there is more information on our website description of the Disney strategy – and How to use the Strategy)

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