I’m excited about 2014.
Why?
Because I have a plan.
Does that sound silly? I guess to some it does. But to a guy like me it’s a big deal. I used to rely on inspiration to get things done. When it struck I’d work night and day on the idea. I’d fill pages with plot outlines and sketches. I’d plan all the big moments in the story. I’d even imagine going to the premier of my film or signing copies of my book, surrounded by adoring fans.
But eventually, when the waxen wings of inspiration had melted, I would come crashing back to reality. All my work would end up in a drawer, incomplete and without fans.
Then I’d do it all again. Inspiration. Flight. Melting Wings. CRASH! And again. And again. And again.
I felt like such a loser because I never completed anything! I’d blame my circumstances or the fact that I was working alone or that my life was busy. But I really didn’t understand the reason.
Then things changed.
There was a particular chapter from Dave Ramsey’s book, Entreleadership, that hit me between the eyes. It was a chapter on setting goals. Briefly, this is what he said: You don’t achieve goals because they aren’t Specific, Measurable, Written Out with a Deadline!
1. Specific
“I want to make a feature film.” Guess what. I never did because it wasn’t a goal it was a daydream. It existed in the ether not reality. I never put down what specific steps would have to happen for it to become a reality. So it never did.
By the way, this step has a way of weeding out things you just can’t possibly do. “I want to fly to the moon like Superman.” Hmm. Try writing out specific steps for that one!
2. Measurable
How do you know when you are winning? In football you know by simply looking up at the scoreboard. Saying, “I want to make a feature film” is not a measurable goal. When? Today? Tomorrow? Next year? And when will it be completed?
3. Written Out
In the Old Testament you constantly see people putting up piles of stones as a memorial, a way of remembering an event or something that God did. Writing out my goals not only reminded me of them, it also ensured that I made them Specific and Measurable, with a Deadline.
I would even recommend posting your goal to your Facebook account for the world to see. Even if people don’t ask you about the success of your goal, knowing that they saw it makes you feel more accountable.
4. Deadline
Fatigue killed so many of my ideas. I worked with no end in sight until I just got sick of the idea. Deadlines not only force me to stop, they also force me to plan ahead better. Instead of just dreaming big, I have to actually crunch the numbers and make a plan that has an end in mind.
The Other Ingredient: Reality
In 2008 I was producing a short film I’d written. I completed the script, bought a camera, nailed down locations and even met with some actors. Everything was moving forward, except that I couldn’t find a lead actor. In the end the project went into development hell, as they say.
I was kind of bitter over that one for awhile. But sometimes it just doesn’t work no matter how good your planning is. There are forces outside your control. So quit throwing dust on yourself and get up. Start something new.
Just be sure it’s Specific, Measurable, Written Out with a Deadline.
