Step 6 Understand Time Horizons

If you’ve found this article, but have not yet read the introduction 10 Steps to Success, I highly encourage you to do so before continuing. This is part of a series of articles that read in order will give you valuable insight as to how to become successful with anything you envision.

Success Measured Outside Oneself

Success again comes in two varieties. There are successes which are measurable and influenced by the outside world, along with those successes which can be represented by a feeling or sensation - this is an inherent internal knowledge that you have attained success. The later form of success (the sensation) can be had here, now and in the moment. It is the recognition that you are living your life purpose and any action no matter how small signifies that you are on the road to success. This is the most powerful measure as it represents our capacity to appreciate what we have while we strive for our continual personal development. It is an indication of how we will respond to successes in the form that are measured outside of ourselves.

Now, success measured by those responses to our actions in the outside world require a fundamental understanding of time horizons. Its been my experience that the majority of the people that I have coached draw a huge correlation of personal success to success measured by external results. Often this is related to making money or the potential to make money. Regardless of the measure of success you have defined, time horizons play an important role in the equation.

Time Horizons for Goals

Time horizons are difficult and elusive to set for many of our most important goals. Depending on the size of our goals, our time horizons can range from a matter of days all the way up to a year! Many of you may be reading this thinking that you’ve got a huge goal and that to achieve it within a year is a real stretch (or downright impossible). That’s OK - remember we are talking about your goals, not your vision.

Consider these examples. Lets say you’ve got a goal to run a marathon and you want to do it within the next 10 years. How much incentive do you have today to begin training? It is very unlikely this goal will call you to action. Another example would be to increase product sales from $0 - $1,000,000 in 5 years. Now this may be possible, it might be exciting, but again, how does this inspire action today. Would it be logical to think that I could do this in 4 years as easily as 5? A goal to complete a product sales website within the next 6 months would be one more likely to inspire action today.

As a general rule of thumb, keep goals within a 1 year time frame. Instead of creating enormous goals - make those part of the vision and break the goal into smaller steps that measure success.

Time Horizons for the Vision

The vision represents the bigger picture. The vision provides clarity and direction from which goals are set. The time horizon for the vision can be as little as one year, to as long as you expect to live. Time is an ally in your vision because longer time horizons give less probability for our mind to provide feedback that suggests that ‘we can’t, or won’t’ make it so (thanks for sharing monkey mind!).

Patience and Persistence

There are plenty of people that would be considered successful and are not necessarily patient. We all have a tendency to want things now rather than later. In some cases we may feel that being too patient may close the door for opportunity. This is a bit of a misconception as it is important to look at patience as a state of being rather than a quality that suppresses action. It is quite possible to be very persistent, while being patient - this is a winning combination.

Externally measured success without persistence is very difficult to attain. Depending on the level of effort to attain your goal or vision, persistence may only be required for a very short time frame, or it may be a quality you need to actively engage in for years.

The antonym of persistence is ’stopping’. When you cease to persist, you are either taking a break (which can be OK), or you are essentially giving up. You are no longer taking action to reach your goals. And if a goal no longer has meaning and vigor for you, that may be the appropriate action.

How to use Time Horizons

I recognize time horizons vary greatly depending on the topic at hand. Regardless, because of their importance, a discussion of how to use time horizons is imperative. The following steps explain how to use time horizons in your path to success.

1. Gather information: Get as much information as possible when planning your goals such that you can estimate the time and energy required for your endeavor. Depending on your goal this may or may not be a simple step.
2. Set time horizons: When you create your vision and goals, put a date on them and make that date visible. Refer to the goal and vision regularly and be persistent with the date.
3. Set new goals: As you complete your goals, and begin to see your vision come into fruition, set new goals. Build on the time horizon such that it is a continuous process.
4. Evaluate: Set up regular intervals to evaluate the progress towards your goals (daily/weekly/bi-weekly/monthly). Are you moving forward as anticipated? What are you learning in the process?
5. Have flexibility: When time horizons are not met, be flexible. Ask yourself empowering questions like, what can be done to hasten the process? If you see the goal will be met soon, celebrate its occurrence rather than the rigidity of the date set. What is the opportunity you see in setting more goals for the future?
6. Use as a Checkpoint: If a goal is not being attained, use time horizons as a checkpoint. What’s happening that is keeping you from attaining your goal? Is the goal that you have set truly important for you? Have you been taking action towards attaining the goal? Is the undertaking you are involved with a sound model for success with realistic time expectations? If not, what can be altered? Does the goal fulfill your passions and your vision? Have your priorities changed?

Without an understanding of time horizons it is possible to attain your vision, particularly when you are treading down a path that has not been laid down before. Lewis and Clark did not know how long they would be exploring the wild west. Most ventures are not so uncertain and a great deal of frustration and angst can be avoided by following the principles above.

Even when the time horizon for the outcome of your actions is not well understood it is possible to set time bound goals that are based on your actions such that you can measure progress. Working and being comfortable with time horizons is an important step in guaranteeing success.

Be Well

Written by Doug Nau, The Wellness Coach, i-grow.net