A bowl full of berries.

Since you have created a VISION for areas of development for your child’s future (see my first post in January 2011), you have clarified and articulated specifics about her/his adult life. Earlier you also wrote a S.M.A.R.T. goal that was Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.  You are now ready to create and ACTION PLAN to drive you toward goal success and building strong, capable young people. 

Writing an ACTION PLAN is as easy as eating a bowl full of berries, once you have the template.  Divide your paper/EXCEL sheet/or WORD document into the following columns:

         GOAL :    My Two yr. old grandson will learn to love books.                                                                                                    

         ACTION:  I will take him to story hour at the library. We will talk about the story read.      

         DATE:   We will attend the story hour sessions once a week.

         EVIDENCE OF ACHIEVEMENT: 

                    By June 2011, he will choose two books to take home.  We will have a special place for his books at home.

A goal does not need to be complex – the example is a short, simple ACTION PLAN.  However, you can see the elements of the S.M.A.R.T. format:  Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely. When you develop an ACTION PLAN for building the character and future of that special child(ren) in your life, you are on the path to helping a kid achieve success. You are also creating a better future for all. With your ACTION PLAN you now know where you want to go and how you will arrive.  You can model and teach with ease. It can be as easy a bowl full of berries, once you have the steps!

How can ACTION PLANNING help you with your children, children you know, even your own personal daily living?  Have you ever followed a similar plan in the past?  What worked especially well?  Did you find you needed to change your plan?