Coach Unlimited

“Begin to weave and God will give the thread.”

German Proverb

Creating change in our lives is hard to do. one reason is that there is a strong temptation for us to stand in place waiting until we can see all the parts of our pathway clearly. We want to know all the answers and solve all of the problems ahead of time. After all, why take chances? Once we know its safe we will start. Well, its a great idea, but life seldom works that way. Even when we think we know all the answers, fate has a way of changing the rules on us. When I first learned about and started teaching strategic planning for businesses and individuals we used a model called SMOST. The acronym stood for the five steps in the process which were Situational Analysis, Mission Statement, Objectives, Strategies and Tactics. I have learned from experience that this system does not work all that well. Actually the first two steps are still part of my planning process. Take a good realistic look at your current situation. Where are you now? What support systems do you have? What do you have that works in your favor? What seems to be against you? What needed assets are missing? The second part of planning is to develop mission and vision statements.  The mission statement says who I am or who we are in just a few words. The vision statement tells where we are going. Once we have done these three things it is time to begin the journey with the knowledge and tools we have now and trust that we will find what we need when we need it. Under the old SMOST model we would then develop the objectives, strategies and tactics to take us where we though we were going. This process created detailed plan and a preconception of how the journey had to be. Often we were unwilling to consider new and exciting options that would come up because we were to dedicated to the “plan”. I have found this over thinking a plan is counter productive. It is better to just take what seems to be the first, best logical step and then see what happens. Taking that first step, making a commitment to change and acting on it, is often the hardest part. As we begin to move forward with a positive expectant attitude unexpected doors begin to open for us and the way becomes clear. It is truly amazing that when we have the faith in God and ourselves to do this, it really works and often in ways we could never have foreseen. Have faith and begin! The world will support you!