A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
Lao-tzu
c. 604 – c. 531 B.C.

There are many people who ask one or more of the first five questions and even develop good answers. Yet far too many fail to achieve their goals. Why? They frequently fail to ask the sixth and most important question.

The sixth question is very simple yet very powerful: when will I _____________? This question should actually be asked in two parts. When will I start ___________? And when will I finish?

Why is this question so important? Because too many people fall into the trap of analysis paralysis. They spend too much time thinking about the problem, planning to do the work and getting ready to start rather than taking the actions necessary to move toward their goal.

Two things must happen in order to achieve any goal. You must start — that is, you must act on the goal — and you must complete the work that you start. It’s often easy to start; there are lots of great starters in the world. But you must also finish.

You can’t expect rewards unless you start. But the trophy depends on how you finish.

Set a definite time, in writing, to start taking action on your goals. Also fix a time to complete the action. If the goal can only be accomplished over a long term, then set some interim milestones to measure your progress. Things happen that may alter your timeline for completing your goals. That’s okay; just adjust the completion date. But always have one. An open-ended date is not a completion date.

You should also enlist the help of an accountability partner to keep you focused on taking action. It’s almost impossible for any of us to fully hold ourselves accountable. An accountability partner can help keep you on track.

There’s nothing that will do more for your success in life than learning to take consistent action toward your goals. Consistent action is much more important than the stop and start routine most people fall into. Remember the race between the tortoise and the hare?

When you’re faced with a problem or a challenge, start by asking these six questions. If you make it a habit to ask these questions, you will dramatically change your life.

I keep six honest serving men, (They taught me all I knew);
their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who.
Rudyard Kipling
1865 – 1936

Copyright © 2009 John Chancellor