The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

180 / KNOWING YOURSELF

ASK YOURSELF...

Am I on track to reach my goal? YES NO

Create an indicator of success for each of the objectives in your success

map by asking yourself:

1 Do I understand why this objective is important? ...........................

2 Do I know how it links into my success map? ..................................

3 Can I identify what is to be achieved and by when? ........................

4 Can I measure this? ..........................................................................

5 Do I know how often I should reflect on progress? .......................

6 Do I know what I should do if the objective is not being met? .........

Write your vision down in

a vision statement. This

should not be longer than

a paragraph, but needs to

contain all the attributes

that are important to you

Creating a plan

A good plan for your future needs to

include four key elements:

• A vision statement that describes
  where you want to be


• A set of objectives that, if achieved,
  will lead you to the vision


• A “success map” showing how these
  objectives link together


• An indicator describing what success
  will look like at each stage.
  Think first about your vision of the
  future: is it all about a single goal,
  such as becoming president of a
  multinational company, or is it about a
  lifestyle, such as being a wealthy and
  respected partner in a law firm? Use
  some of the exercises described over the
  previous pages to help you think about
  your vision. Next, write your vision down
  in a vision statement. This should not
  be longer than a paragraph, but needs
  to contain all the attributes that are

Developing a vision

Once you have a clear idea of your overall

vision for the future, break it down into

its main constituent parts. Do this by

creating a set of top-level objectives you

will need to achieve to reach your vision.

important to you. Spend time on this

statement; it is the important first

step in planning your future.

US_180-181_Planning_the_future.indd 180 30/05/16 3:03 pm