Carrying out your plans can be hard

In coaching entrepreneurs, I get to see their biggest successes and most difficult challenges in their relationship with money.

What kind of successes are the biggest? Vision. That’s often why they went into business for themselves: they can see the possibilities. And once they get clarity about opportunities, they start to see more possibilities in their lives. That’s exciting!

The hardest thing? Implementation. The everyday follow up on that big dream. And that shows up in coaching. Some clients get to the goal-setting stage and then say to me, “Wow, thanks for the help, I’ll take it from here.” And they take a break, or get distracted by another vision plan, or go out on their own and try to do it all alone.

The vast majority of the time, when I check back in with these clients in a month or two or six, they are in the same place that they were in before they took a break or even before they came to coaching at all. I hear frustration and overwhelm, blame and sometimes anger.

And the truth is, it is the everyday, day-to-day, get-up-and-go-to-work that’s the hard part. Following up on that vision, keeping it in your sights, and staying focused on what you really want is taxing and time-consuming. I struggle with this too, and it’s not all roses!

1. Notice and decide

So what can we do?

The first thing to do is notice what’s going on. If we don’t acknowledge that there’s an issue or a block, it’s nearly impossible to change it. So notice, right now – are you having a difficult time getting what you really want?

Then ask yourself: Are you ready to commit or re-commit to that vision?

2. Get support

If you really are ready to re-commit to your vision, look for support. Coaching helps (that’s why my company consistently offers coaching – it’s what I think is needed). Mastermind groups or issue-specific peer groups or group coaching can also help. Having a buddy you can talk with about money and do consistent check-ins helps. The basic idea here is to get support to be accountable for realizing your vision in the world.

3. Use your inner resources

Just like I don’t recommend going it alone, I also don’t recommend throwing yourself into a support situation with the idea that other people are going to do it all for you.

Here are some things you can do with your vision that will help keep you on track:

• Frame your vision positively.
• Make sure to include not just your vision, but what you’re willing to do to get it.
• Make a plan to get to your goals that’s enjoyable and related to your purpose and values.
• Write it down and post it in a place you’ll see it.
• Read your vision to yourself twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening.
• Imagine yourself living that vision, getting what you want, and doing what you say you’re going to do — for five minutes every day.

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