In our quest to improve our success and achievement, we’ve established the need to develop perspective, as well as to define performance. When we develop perspective, we clarify our beliefs. By getting specific in describing what we want to accomplish, why, and describe our values in terms of behavior, we clarify our belief system.
When we define our performance, we again state clearly our plan for bringing our vision to reality. We set measurable goals and we take specific actions within a narrow time frame. In other words, we link our belief with our behavior.
The third and last step in planting seeds for success is to make sure our beliefs and our behavior are in sync. I call this “maintaining alignment.” This third step is no less important than the first two. In fact, I could argue it may be the most critical step of all.
Maintaining alignment is about reacting to change and making necessary course adjustments as we take those critical steps from where we are now to where we want to be.
Here’s an example from NASA of just how important course adjustments are: The surface of the moon is 240,000 miles from the earth. Mission Control can land a lunar vehicle on the moon’s surface with incredible accuracy. But here’s the amazing reality: from the time a space vehicle is launched until it lands on the moon’s surface, NASA engineers spend 99 percent of their time making course adjustments.
After years of planning a moon landing and paying incredible attention to detail, Mission Control still needs to start making course adjustments, immediately after launch of the rocket.
Take heed, my friend. Having a performance plan is incredibly important but things change, and in our world, things change pretty rapidly. We commit to the process of linking belief and behavior but we cannot afford to be unbending in the execution of the plan. Remember, we’re more interested in results than creating a perfect plan.
So, how do we maintain alignment? We begin with our perspective. Is there alignment between our vision, mission and values? Is there congruency between what we want to accomplish, why and what our behavior will look like in the process?
We maintain alignment by ensuring our performance is congruent with our perspective. We must also make sure there’s alignment between our strategy, goals and actions. Remember, the only measure of what you believe is seen in what you do. Our strategic initiatives must be in sync with the goals we set and the (daily) actions we take.
You’ll be able to measure alignment in the results you achieve. Poor results come from lack of planning and lack of alignment. Alignment turns intentions into actions. Alignment creates the linkage between the ideal and reality. Alignment creates a culture of success and achievement.
There you have it. Three seeds for success and achievement. Develop perspective, define performance and maintain alignment. Start planting! And start today!
