Owning Your Story: Bringing Your Action Plan to Life (Part 3)
(Part 3 of a 3-Part Series on Defining and Pursuing Your Ideal Life)
In the first two articles of this series, we explored Owning Your Story: The Power of Personal Vision and Turning Vision into Action: From Dreams to Reality. We talked about the importance of defining a clear vision for your life -- the person you want to become, or the goals you want to achieve -- and how to turn that vision into an actionable plan. Now, we’re taking the next step: bringing that plan to life.
Because having a vision and a plan is only part of the equation. The real transformation happens when you take those steps every day. As I prepare to travel to Peru next week to lead a tour through the stunning landscape, at a little bit of altitude, I’m reminded that no journey -- whether it’s a literal trek through the mountains or a personal transformation -- can be completed without consistent action. Let's jump into tactical ways to get what you want!
Step 1: Commit to Daily and Weekly Action
You can't easily just roll off the couch and run a marathon or summit a mountain-- preparation happens in a series of small, purposeful steps. This is true for any goal, whether it’s improving your health, growing your career, starting a new business, or deepening personal relationships. The key to bringing your vision to life is committing to daily and weekly actions that keep you moving forward.
Create a Weekly Plan: I always start each week by planning the key tasks that will move me closer to my goals. Whether it’s preparing for the trek or building my coaching business, mapping out my week ensures I stay focused on what matters most.
Set Weekly Priorities: Highlight the top 3-5 things that must be accomplished by the end of the week. This keeps you from feeling overwhelmed and ensures you’re focusing on what drives the biggest impact.
Break Down Big Goals: Just like I prepare for a multi-day trek by breaking my training into smaller milestones, break your long-term goals into manageable pieces. Celebrate each small win along the way—it’s those incremental achievements that fuel progress.
Step 2: Be Flexible… Life Happens
Life is unpredictable, things don’t always go according to plan (that wouldn't be fun anyway!) The most important part of this journey is how you adapt to the unexpected.
Reflect and Adjust: I check in with myself every week, asking, “What worked? What didn’t?” "Why am I feeling so glum this week?". It’s in these weekly reflections that I adjust my plan as needed. Be flexible and consider looking at change in a different light -- as a gift.
Embrace Change: Whether I’m trekking in the Andes or navigating challenges in my business, adaptability is key. I’ve learned that shifting plans doesn’t mean failure; it's a key ingredient of resilience. Adjusting your path doesn’t mean you are moving away from your vision -- it's highly likely it's bringing you a whole lot closer, faster.
Stay Focused on Your Long-Term Vision: Even when adjustments are necessary, don’t lose sight of your overarching vision. I constantly remind myself of the bigger picture, whether it’s reaching the summit of a mountain, hitting a new milestone in my coaching practice, or finding more stillness and freedom in my life.
Step 3: Overcome Resistance—Push Through the Tough Moments
No journey is without resistance, and that fleeting desire to quit. There will be days when motivation fades or the obstacles feel too big. Hang on tight, this is where real growth happens—DIG DEEP!
Anticipate and Visualize Obstacles: Whether it’s navigating through high altitudes on a trek or pushing through resistance in daily life, I’ve learned to anticipate and visualize challenges (I'll share more about this in my next article!). Planning for them ahead of time keeps me grounded when they arise.
Break It Down: On the hardest days, I break my goals down even further. When a task feels too big, I simply focus on the next step. One more mile on the trail, one more deep client conversation, one more great workout -- this is how I keep moving forward.
Remember Your "Why": Whenever resistance shows up, reconnect with the reason you started. When I’m pushing through a tough climb, I remind myself of the deeper purpose behind the journey -- just like I do in my coaching practice. Knowing your “why” keeps you anchored in the tough moments.
Step 4: Integrate Your Vision into Daily Life
Your vision isn’t something you work on outside of your daily routine -- it becomes the fabric of your life. Bringing your action plan to life means weaving it into the fabric of your everyday existence.
Make It a Habit: I tie my vision to my daily habits. Preparing for my trek in the Andes, I’ve incorporated small practices like daily hikes and mindfulness to ensure I’m staying on track (in Chicago, a hike = a walk with a weight vest on for me!). For you, this might mean aligning your goals with activities you already do.
Create Visual Reminders: I keep my vision front and center. Personally, I use vision boards, my calendar, and reminders throughout my day to keep me inspired. These prompts help me stay focused on the bigger picture.
Engage All Areas of Life: Your vision impacts everything—your relationships, work, and well-being. I’m constantly reflecting on how my goals align with the various aspects of my life, ensuring that my progress is holistic.
Step 5: Lean on Accountability and Support
No journey is made alone. Accountability and support systems have been crucial for me, both in my personal adventures and in my coaching career.
Check In with an Accountability Partner: Find someone you trust to keep you accountable. When I’m leading a trek, it’s often the reason my trekkers signed up that pulls me forward. The same applies to personal and professional growth.
Join a Community: I always encourage my clients to surround themselves with like-minded individuals. Whether you are part of a mastermind, an adventure team, a gym, or another community, any of these can keep you motivated and inspired.
Get Professional Guidance: Having a coach or mentor has been invaluable for me—just as important as my therapist! When I’m unsure about the next steps, professional guidance gives me clarity and confidence.
Step 6: Reflect and Refine
Growth is a constant evolution. As I prepare for my trek in the Andes, I know that this journey will change me, just as each new coaching client I work with shapes my own growth. Reflection is key to sustaining this momentum.
Monthly Reflection: At the end of each month, I set aside time to reflect on my progress. What have I learned? What needs to shift? This regular reflection keeps me aligned with my evolving vision. And remember—be kind to yourself. You can’t be grateful for what you’ve accomplished if you’re beating yourself up.
Refine Your Vision: Don’t be afraid to let your vision grow as you do. Just as I refine my goals with each new life experience, allow your vision to evolve as you gain new insights.
Conclusion: Bringing Your Vision to Life
The most powerful thing you can do is bring your action plan to life. It’s not just about reaching a goal—it’s about showing up, being flexible, and adjusting along the way. Whether you’re climbing a mountain in the Andes or navigating a personal transformation, remember that real progress comes from taking small, consistent steps every day.
Call to Action: Now it’s time to bring your vision to life. Take one small step today that moves you closer to your goal. Need support, a plan, accountability, tools? Let’s connect and talk about the magic that can happen as you define your vision, create your action plan, and execute!
