GROW into structure – planning for action!

Boring.
Tedious.
Unexciting.
 
Creating structure is arguably not the most fun way to spend our time. While this might be the biggest reason that we stick to our haphazard approach to achieving goals, it isn’t the only reason for avoiding the struggle with structure.
 
Structure is about breaking something down into smaller manageable pieces and finding the relationship between the pieces. This creates a framework of different parts showing sequence, dependencies and patterns all making up the original ‘something’. Even this description of the process does not sound exciting at all!
 
The thing is – bringing about structure may be boring but it is the key to clarifying what you want to do and how you want to do it. Once you know these two things, one simple step of planning completes the framework and you are on your way to success. Now that’s something that we do want! We want it because we are now in a position to do the fun stuff – much more successfully and sustainably than when we did not have our framework.
 
The GROW model, developed by Sir John Wihitmore in the 1980s, is a valuable tool to use to create your framework. It is an acronym to summarize the following components of the model:
 

• Goals: Clarify and define what you want to achieve.
• Reality: Assess your current situation and identify what is preventing you from achieving your goal.
• Options: Find possible strategies and solutions to overcome your obstacles (this is your framework and plan)
• Will: Make the commitment to take action and implement your plan

 
The services of a qualified life coach can be most helpful in supporting you through the GROW process and beyond.
 
My message is – the slog of creating structure is a once off exercise to create a proper framework to kick start your journey to achieving your goal. It may not be fun but it is important because then the fun can begin!