In project management, we plan from the desired end state.  I have found this technique helpful when it comes to planning for the goals I’ve set for my life.  Project management provides processes and structure to achieve that end state.

For example, last year I set a goal to climb Mt. Rainer this year.  I read lots of books and created a plan. This plan included a training plan, gear purchase, picking a date for the climb and making travel arrangements.  At the end of every quarter I re-evaluate my progress towards. As with my Mt. Rainier goal, it has now become a Mt. St. Helens goal. Unplanned travel for work during January and February put me too far behind to climb Mt. Rainier by the end of summer.  I either had to move the date out and change the goal.  Climbing Mt. Rainier in October seemed too dangerous for a novice climber.  Mt. St. Helens in August was the wiser choice.

1. Set Goal
2. Deconstruct the goal – that is list everything that needs to be done in order to reach that goal. These becomes milestones or mini-goals that you can now start working towards
3. Order those steps in sequence.  Some may be done in parallel.  In my example, it doesn’t matter when I buy my gear to climb Mt. St. Helens.
4. Add dates to those steps
5. Execute
6. Celebrate at every milestone.  You are making progress.  Even if the goal needs to be adjusted, the feeling of accomplishment will be there.

4^th quarter of every year, I begin setting goals for every area of my life.  After each area has at least one goal, I then complete the above exercise.  By year’s end I have plan for the following year.  By New Year’s Day I’m ready to begin execution.

How do you create a plan to achieve your goals?

We all have moments that change our lives forever. These can range from tragic events to moments where you are so awestruck that you are speechless. 1997 Game 5 of the NBA finals is a moment that left me awestruck. It has become known as the Michael Jordan Flu Game. I’m a huge MJ fan!  I had heard stories of John Elway or Troy Aikman playing with concussions, winning games they don’t remember. This was the first time I had seen anything like those stories. I remember crying very hard starting at half time and continuing through the end of the game.  I was watching greatness become personified and immortalized.  I kept asking myself the following question:

“How can anyone train their entire being to be a winner, so that even if your are mentally out of it, everything kicks in to win?”

What kicks in after the choice is made?  On my flight home yesterday, I read the following poem in Dave Ramsey’s book “Financial Peace Revisited.” I could not have aptly answered the above question. For 12 years, I’ve endeavored to make the wisdom below work for me. The author is unknown, but I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

What habits do you need to develop in order to become successful?

I could think of no greater way to honor this great man, than to take my favorite quotes from his “I Have Dream” speech and expound on what they mean to me.

My 5 favorite quotes from Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech:

“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.”

As long as there is ignorance there will be bigotry and racism.  Our generation doesn’t fight against the blatant racism of segregation or slavery. Our generation fights the subtle forms of bigotry ingrained in our institutions and perpetrated by innocent yet ignorant people. We stand our ground by not responding to situations or people with feelings but let our values be our filter in how to respond. Yes this means we stand our ground and point it out when necessary and even leave if we must.  But there are times to teach and educate without the anger of our suffering.

“You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.”

The building of character and fearless resolve is the benefit of responding based on our values.  If we respond based on feelings and our insecurities we really are no better than those who are acting on their feelings and insecurities.

“It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro.”

There’s only been one time in my life where the door of opportunity was closed based on my race and/or sex.  It’s one thing to suspect it when things don’t go well, but it’s another when the “higher powers” are telling you it’s because ‘you are black and a woman’ it ain’t gonna happen.  That was the most helpless moment of my life. But what got me out of the moment was my determination. Sometimes I feel African-Americans have lost their fight, looking for handouts from the government and the like.  We are a strong race but a broken people.

“…that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.”

The power of a vision can uplift the most downtrodden of souls. I’m not talking about setting a goal of winning American Idol and ya can’t sing!  But if you want to be a singer, be willing to pay the price and take lessons to improve your voice and walk the path laid before you to succeed (which may or may not include American Idol). Every knock down is an opportunity to learn and get stronger. Resistance makes you stronger in the gym and in life!

“I have a dream today.”

Key word: TODAY…  One of my goals for 2010 is to climb Mt. Rainier.  I have daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly work out goals to help me get there.  God willing, I’ll be atop Mt. Rainier late summer (they may have to airlift me down, but I’ll climbing to the top on my own accord) I treat every aspect of my life with the same discipline. What do want to accomplish in your life?  How can you make it happen?  Set weekly, monthly and yearly goals and steps to achieve your dreams.