Turning Your Vision into Reality

Are you ready to embark on your goal-setting journey? 

By now, you should have completed the visioning exercise and identified your desired destination. With a clear vision in mind, you know exactly where you're headed. 

You've also learned how to write SMART goals that are actionable and measurable, allowing you to track your progress. 

Now, it's time to roll up your sleeves and bring that vision to life. 

This is the exciting part where your dreams transform into reality, and you decide which paths or highways will lead you to your destination through well-defined goals and action plans.

The Roadmap: Now, Near, and Far

When I coach clients on visioning, I prefer using the terms now, near, and far instead of just saying short-term and long-term goals. These descriptive terms help us stay true to the vision and ensure a smooth journey. 

We'll start with the end in mind, focusing on the destination (far goals), and then work our way backward to the present (now goals). The timeline for each stage is entirely up to you – it's your life and your goals. 

However, here's a general guideline I use with my clients:

- Far Goals: About 10 years out or even further if you'd like to dream big and far.

- Near Goals: This is about half of the time to your far goals, typically around 5 years.

- Now Goals: The next 1-3 years, representing what's on your doorstep today.

Defining Your Goals

Far Goals:

Your far goals are the long-term objectives that turn your vision into something concrete and measurable. These goals might be 10 or 20 years away, focusing on the peak of your career or even your retirement plans. 

Using your vision as your north star, imagine yourself a decade from now (or at your chosen timeline) and consider the following questions when setting your far goals:

- What type of veterinarian do you aspire to be?

- What do you see yourself doing (and not doing)?

- Where do you envision yourself working?

- Whom do you want to serve?

- What impact do you hope to make?

Near Goals:

Your near goals are the stepping stones that lead you to your far goals. Consider them as the halfway point on your journey.

Ask yourself the same questions as above but focus on the work you need to do in the next 5 years to progress towards your long-term objectives.

Now Goals:

Your now goals encompass all the actions you need to take today, in the next 1-3 years, to reach your near goals. 

These goals are the foundation upon which your near and far goals are built. They represent what's on your immediate horizon and require your attention and effort.

Action Planning: Getting Things Done

Once you've written your goals, it's time to turn your now goals into actionable steps.This is where the rubber meets the road, and you start making tangible progress. 

When it comes to action planning, I recommend keeping it simple. Ask yourself, "What's the immediate next thing I need to do?" 

Write it down, ensuring it aligns with the SMART framework.

For more insights on action planning, I highly recommend David Allen's book, "Getting Things Done," published in 2001. In it, he discusses the concept of the "next action" – the specific task that propels your projects forward.

Remember, goals are not set in stone. They can and should evolve as you grow, and your circumstances change. Make it a habit to review your far and near goals at least once a year and reassess your now goals every quarter. 

Regularly review your action plans, whether weekly or monthly, to ensure you stay on track and make necessary adjustments. 

Embrace the journey, celebrate your progress, and enjoy the process of turning your vision into a lived reality. 

Happy goal setting!

Download this free digital workbook and get started on your vision today.