Action IS Progress

My client’s goal was to write 10 pages on her novel. She gave the following report: “I wrote quite a bit, but can’t remember whether I said the 10 pages needed to be single or double-spaced.” There were chuckles of recognition in the mastermind group where she made her announcement. Someone teased about what font size she used. Another asked her how wide the margins were.

The next person to share her success noted that she’d been “adjusting the margins” around her goal, too. Using the metaphor of “editing” goals became an amusing theme throughout the meeting.

What occurred to me during all of this talk was the knowledge that success is not measured in page numbers or margin widths. The measure of success is in the actions taken.

A wise mother offered me this parenting tip many years ago. She said, “As long as the general direction is forward, you’ll be fine.” That’s sage advice in goal-setting as well. If it moves you closer to your goal, that’s success.

Mark Victor Hansen, the co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, once said that his goal was to sell one million copies of the book in its first year of publication. “We only sold 800,000. Was that a failure?” No, it was significant progress.

Your goal is a target to aim at, not a final destination. Jill Flynne (http://www.jillfl ynnedesigns.com/ ), the watercolor artist, is expanding her product line to include greeting cards (see today's illustration above). She’s in the process of creating what that piece of her company will look like. She knows that it is the right direction for her, although the specifics are not clear. My request to her during a recent coaching session was to spend two hours a day three times a week “playing” with her designs and ideas.

What’s important about that assignment is this:

• It keeps her moving toward a larger vision.
• It’s measurable in time. She’ll know if she accomplishes it or not.
• It is not product driven. Yet products may emerge from the play.

Taking the action towards your goal and spending time in process will move you forward. Whether it’s 10 pages double-spaced or 15 new note card designs, the act of being in motion will give you results that can then be perfected.

Action is the magic word no matter what size font you use.