CHICAGO–Billionaire Richard Branson is offering an antidote to the human tendency to let even the most passionate dreams and goals fall by the wayside.
Branson, the founder of Virgin Airlines and other businesses, used his blog recently to share the details of his own goal-setting (and achieving) strategy.
“The backbone of his process is dead simple: Write your goals down,” wrote Jessica Stillman in a posting on Inc.com. “But in the post he offers a straightforward five-step plan for actually sticking to them even when life throws obstacles in your way.”
Those five steps:
Don’t Self-Censor
“Many of us agonize about what goals to set (or even how to track our progress). Not Branson,” wrote Stillman. “He's a big believer in the mind-dump school of goal setting. Don't censor yourself or succumb to analysis paralysis. Just get everything down as it comes to you, however you can. “
Or, as Branson recommended, "Write down every single idea you have. No idea is too small, and no idea is too big, either. On a notebook, on your phone, or on a napkin -- it doesn't matter where, it just matters that you do it.”
Multiple Lists Are Better
If keeping one goal list is good, keeping several is even better.
"Have a few lists," he instructs. "One of far off, outlandish goals and another of manageable tasks to complete every day. This way you can set your vision and be taking steps to get there each day. Make sure you have personal goals as well as business goals. There's no real separation between work and life, it's all just living. The same goes for lists."
Cheer Yourself With Checkmarks
"Mark off every completed task. There are few more satisfying things than ticking off a job well done. Celebrate your successes (and make more lists of new goals)," Branson wrote.
Measure Your Way to Success
How about the bigger goals? You won't be able to check them off completely anytime soon, but if you break them down into smaller steps, you can at least see your progress, which should help keep you motivated and on track, stated Stillman.
Branson’s advice: “Make your goals measurable so you know if your plans are working. There's no point setting targets if you don't know if you are hitting them.”
Share Your Goals With Others
This advice is somewhat controversial, but Branson is solidly in the camp of those who say committing to a dream publicly makes you more likely to reach it, according to Stillman.
Or, as Branson put it, "You can help motivate each other further and hold each other to account. But remember that, in the end, you are doing this for yourself.”