Step 3: PLAN… Next, plan what it will take to make this happen. You already have some Key Result Items from your Get Real Exercise. Take those and add to list other ideas of what you know you will need to do to accomplish your goal. What are specific action steps you will need to take? Stop a minute and in your mind focus on your long term goal. See it in full and complete form. What is there? What are you doing? What do you notice about yourself and your actions? Now, in your mind walk backwards what did you do to get there? For example, if part of my long term goal is to have a thriving independent business, I may visualize myself in an office with flexibility to be remote. Part of what I would need to do is establish an office, design portable systems, have a virtual assistant, have tools and resources for office work, etc. This becomes one Key Result Area: A functional Office. Then I walk backwards and plan steps I would have taken to create this functional office. Put dates on each broken-down action step and estimate what it will take to make each step happen (time, cost, etc.). Allocate completion targets accordingly.

Step 4: FOCUS… Now that you have your plan flushed out and in place, who do you need to be to accomplish this? Going back to your vision of your completed goal, what mindset and attitude did you have throughout project? How did you do this? What schedule or strategy kept you focused? What systems of accountability did you have in place? What kept you on track and focused? One of most common errors people make is IF they get their plan complete, they begin work and get caught up in rush of life again and start reacting and forget about their plan. When you created your plan you were looking at big picture. When you are working in trenches of life, you are limited to see what is in front of you, unless you stick to plan. There is nothing wrong with evaluating and refining your plan as you go, but only when you are looking at it in perspective of whole picture and not short term moment. The story is told about caravan crossing Sahara desert. The desert was barren and large. Many parties got lost crossing great plains as they could not see their destination over horizon. A team went in and put in markers for travelers to focus on as they crossed so they would use each marker as a point of reference until they could see city. This allows many parties to cross treacherous desert in most direct and efficient path. This is your plan. Plan it well, establish milestones to focus on, trust them and stay course!

Step 5: Monitor… Step back occasionally and evaluate what you are doing. Go back to step one. How are you doing? What is working what is not? Are you on track or off course? Make adjustments to get on track, re-design what is not working to new solutions and refine plan in area that would increase efficiency or results toward your goal. Keep your long-term goal in mind and check to make sure your short term goals are supporting long term goals. Notice your behavior. Accomplishing big goals is hard work. Plan first and keep your eyes on pre-set short term goal that position you to reach your bigger vision.

Bottom line… None of these strategies are rocket science. The challenge is to maintain discipline, focus and clarity to implement these basic strategies. Evaluate your long term goal, be realistic, plan, set structures for focus and have check points to monitor. Invest your time in your plan and maintain course once it is set. If you are serious about these goals, take action today. Insure your success by developing an accountably system for yourself. Hire a coach as your strategic partner to run with you. Find a buddy in a similar situation. Whatever it is, build environments to support your vision. Take time to plan and design structures for success and you will see a difference! Here's to you and your success! Have fun!

AVOID BAD HABITS, DISTRACTIONS AND TIME WASTERS. A myriad of temptations await teleworker and threaten your productivity: socializing with neighbors, doing household chores, watching television, spending time with your family, making frequent trips to refrigerator. Teleworkers must be committed to using time wisely and staying focused on tasks at hand.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BALANCE. Teleworking will not inherently provide a perfect work/life balance. If you were a workaholic before teleworking, chances are your workaholism will be just as bad (if not worse) after beginning to telework. Because workplace is so close and always available, teleworkers must be especially disciplined about not overworking.

NEGOTIATE EXPECTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS. Both with family members and with co-workers, disagreements can arise. Teleworkers should anticipate areas of potential conflict, set clear expectations and reach agreements before controversy occurs.

ESTABLISH A SOLID FOUNDATION OF TRUST AND A REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY. Remember that your boss, clients or colleagues may wonder if you’re really working when you telework. So, be sure your performance is beyond reproach. Strive to be known for your dependability and availability. Be prompt in returning calls, reply to e-mail quickly, use a mobile phone for greater accessibility and let people know best ways to reach you right away.