Everything we are is the result of what we have thought. Buddha
In the previous issue, we began to see that one of the keys to achieving results is planning, and that to do so effectively, it's best to follow a simple 5-step rule.
Define the purpose and guiding values.- Identify desired outcomes
- Throwing out ideas
- Organize
- Identify the next step.
We saw that Step 1: Clarify the purpose, serves to agree on what you want to achieve. because of what is being done or will be done. Today we'll focus on Step 2: Identifying Desired Outcomes.
Successful Results
The next step is to agree on the desired outcomes. We have defined the thatNow is the time to clarify the what. The clearer and more vivid the image of the intended results, the more "pull" it will provide toward achieving the objective.
We've always known that a picture is worth a thousand words, and Peter Senge reminds us that the only momentum that lasts over time is that which comes from the energy of a vision. It's all about developing an image or vision that's compelling enough about what you're trying to achieve so that it becomes the objective reference. The helpful question here is: What would have to happen for us to say the goal was achieved and the result was a success? What will it look like when the process is complete? How will I recognize that I've achieved it?
It's about thinking about objectives based on the end result. "Begin with the end in mind," S. Covey would say. It means better understanding where you're going so you can always take the right steps in the right direction. By thinking about what everything will look like at the end of the process, you make the desired outcome explicit and clear, which provides the necessary focus for the work. The question is: What do I need to achieve to make my goal a reality?
Imagine what it would be like to build a house without a detailed plan that spells out every single aspect of the project. Unforeseen events and a lack of prior agreement would surely lead to back-and-forth, resulting in wasted materials, time, and money. Not to mention, of course, the unpleasant feeling of not achieving what you had envisioned. What went wrong? That what you had dreamed of, what everyone believed was the right thing to do, wasn't written down. There was no consensus with those responsible for making it a reality. By avoiding putting it in writing, the typical "I thought...", "I understood that...", "I thought you said..." later arise. It's not an easy task, which is why many avoid it. But it's vital if you want to save resources, and even more so, if you want to see what you truly dreamed of built.
This framework applies to any objective, in any sphere of life, both personal and organizational. What will this project look like when it's finished? How do we want the client to feel when this reengineering is complete? What characteristics should the person we're looking for to fill this position possess? How should the Purchasing Department function for us to say the process was effective? Where do you intend to be in your job/profession in three years? These are just a few examples.
Vision Development
There are three simple rules that help develop vision:
- Imagine that it is already completed.
It is about describing what was “done” in all its details. - Think of total success!
Avoid the complacency of "doing what you can." Think about what it should be like so we can say, "How fantastic!" - Be specific in the details.
Explain aspects, quality characteristics, deliverables, forms, colors, shapes, etc. that help and facilitate construction.
Once this step is complete, we will be ready to start brainstorming about how we will bring that image to reality.
A sneak peek for the next article: The key word will be “WITHOUT PREJUDICE.”
We continue in the next one.
