Ever set out to get somewhere and just as you go to hop in your car to take off - you find something is in the way?  Maybe you forgot it’s the day they’re repaving your driveway and you can’t get your car out of the garage.  Of course, this is an analogy for a lack of goal planning.

You get a passionate idea of something you want to do and jump into action without more careful observation of your current situation.   Here’s some simple questions to start with asking yourself before you launch into action:

1.  What resources will I need to accomplish my task?
2.  What’s my timeline?
3.  What needs to be taken care of first, second, third?  (organize your action steps) 
4.  What possible obstacles might I run into that I’ll need to address and how will I do that?
5.  What support will I need and  who can I expect it from?

Coaching helps you look at your current and future situation and make sure you have the know-how, skills, time, financing, energy, support and resources to get where you want to and expect a high success rate.  Whether you hire a professional to offer guidance and focused action steps or not, take the time to stop and do your prepatory work.

If there’s a cement truck in your way, you don’t need to drive up on your lawn and ruin the axle in your car as you go down on the curb, just to get around it.  You don’t need to miss your appointments or get angry because your actions have been stifled or you feel a loss of momentum for your change.  That’s because you’ve had the foresight to plan your trip at an optimum time and safeguard your journey by knowing when it’s best to take action and how to best go about it. 

Is there a goal you’d like to pursue where you’ve asked yourself these startup questions?

If you’re looking to change careers there are several things that can get in the way of a smooth transition.  You want to be sure you address these areas, while not getting stuck or slowed down by poor preparation.   True, economics can play a role in available opportunities, but by your using a more focused and strategic approach, you’ll get faster and lasting results, beating out the competition.  Here’s a few key areas to assist you:

DO’S
1.  Update and make relevant for the job you seek, your resume, appearance, attitude, contacts list for possible introductions, personal and professional assessments, learning and training.

2.  Fully research what you would be doing in the new job, confident you are the right fit for it, and learn all you can about your customer, competitors, best marketing practices, the economic industry ranking and financial expectations, networking strategies and your most effective business development channels.

3.  Set up your support team.  Who will help mentor you?  Who will help position you?  Who will coach you?  Navigate into new territories with a select boat full of your best advisors and confidantes.

DON’TS
1.  Avoid unnecessary or excessive research of jobs sites, newspaper ads or job boards.  Cover the basics, but don’t overlook step one which is develop  a list of potential supporters, conveying your short blurb on your chosen career area and your top 3 qualifications for it.  Request specific support for introductions and ideas from them.

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