Once the goal is set, develop a system or tactics to achieve it. Break down large goals into small, practical steps. Consider goal phases, such as quick wins, momentum builders, and transformation targets. Simply setting a goal isn’t enough; you must create and follow a well-thought-out process to help you achieve it.

How to create and implement an action plan

1. Break Down Large Goals into Small, Practical Steps: Large goals can feel overwhelming. Try breaking your goals down into smaller, actionable steps or milestones. This makes the goal more manageable and provides a clear path from your current state to your desired outcome. For instance, if your goal is to write a book in a year, a small step might be writing 250 words per day. If your business goal is to improve sales, a consistent step could be generating a specific number of quotes per month with a target success rate. Regularly checking in on these smaller steps or milestones helps you track progress and stay motivated.
2. Focus on Consistent Progress: Achieving your goal requires consistent effort towards the smaller steps you’ve defined. This regular, focused activity, even if it seems small individually, builds up over time to move you towards the larger objective.
3. Add an Element of Accountability: To improve your chances of success, add accountability to your framework. This can involve assigning a single accountable owner for each SMART goal. Sharing your goals with others, such as your team or a partner, can also create accountability.
4. Consider Goal Phases: Breaking SMART goals into phases can create psychological momentum and dramatically increase follow-through. One approach suggested is to use three phases:
   • Phase 1: Quick Wins: Goals achievable within two to four weeks.
   • Phase 2: Momentum Builders: Goals targeted for completion in one to three months.
   • Phase 3: Transformation Targets: Larger goals with a timeline of three to twelve months.
5. Utilize Essential Metrics: As part of your action plan, continue to use the metrics defined when setting your SMART goal to track progress. For example, if increasing social media engagement is a goal, regularly track metrics like likes, shares, and comments to see if your tactics are working. This measurement helps you refine strategies and ensure your efforts are contributing to the overall business benefit.
6. Be Prepared to Adapt: While having a structured plan is crucial, the sources also emphasize that the business world moves fast, and you need the flexibility to adjust your plan when circumstances change. Track your progress (or lack thereof) and re-evaluate your strategy to make necessary changes and still hit your goal.

By defining these specific actions, assigning responsibility, setting milestones, and reviewing progress regularly, you transform your documented SMART goal into an operational roadmap for success.