It’s that time of year! Everyone is making plans: resolutions, vision boards, list of nouns to leave behind in 2019! I think that’s great…ish. But it you’re like me, you will either neglect those list all together or find it too daunting to stay attached to a plan.

I’m gonna let you in on a secret. When I can’t focus on the list, I focus on the 3 A’s.

Along with daily affirmations, the 3 A’s help me effectively evaluate the goal and focus on the mission. They are a way to plan for the future, both immediate and long term without stressing the end results. I believe by adding this simple practice to how you address the moves you make, you’ll find yourself making choices that progress you towards your prize and hopefully gets you off the coach in the meantime.

Part 1: Ask

The goal you’re trying to obtain may be simple but having true vision can be a pain in the butt especially when the weight of your decisions start to set in. True vision is a undisputed understanding of what you want and what’s next. There is a lot expected of you but nobody should expect more from you than you do. To have that vision, you’ve gotta be brutally honest with yourself. Ask the questions below to help get an idea of what you expect from yourself.

1. What impact do you want this task to have?
2. What do you fear about getting it done?
3. If you had to give advice to someone in your position, what would it be?
4. Why haven’t you done it yet?

Once you’ve got your answers, you should begin to see what’s holding you back and where you can start to make changes. I’d encourage you to create daily affirmations based around what you need to do better so you can start you day with a more affirmed and reminded mindset.

Part 2: Aim

Aiming higher seems impossible when you’re looking at the big picture. Finances, relationships, and possibilities are all apart of what contributes to our lack of action. Rather than trying to attack the whole goal, conquer the pieces. You have the vision, now let’s plan.

• What are 3 things you can do to accomplish your goals by this time next week? Nothing too big or too crazy, it’s just week 1! Write them down.
• Now, put reminders in your phone. 3 or 4 alarms that remind you to get it down. Try the “IKE” app.
• Set aside time daily or every other day. Stay up an extra hour or wake an hour early. Remind yourself that this is the first step to greatness.
• Next week, repeat!

Blast Off!

My older brother Josiah of Beastmode RVA taught me about Blast Off and I’ve been practicing it daily. The concept is simple. When it’s time to do something or when an idea is presented, you start the countdown. I like to start from 10. I simply count backwards from 10 to 1 and after 1 comes the BLAST OFF! It’s at that point that you make a choice and begin an action. That action can be writing down a mini plan (steps 1-3) or jumping out of bed to start the day. Or even choosing not to do it at all. Whatever choice you made though, you own it!

Part 3: Approve

Approval might seem like a silly step but think of it this way, how many times have you quit or given up because you didn’t approve of the outcome? Maybe you tried a new technique and it didn’t work out like you expected so you stopped. We’ve already determined to do… So now you have to affirm yourself by approving your actions.

• What did you do well?
• What surprised you about your choices/ actions?
• Reward yourself for a job well done and then on to the next!

ASK! AIM! APPROVE!

I suggest bookmarking this link right now so that you can refer back to these questions whenever you’re feeling stuk.

There’s one more thing I wanna give to you. I think I learned this from Pastor Donte’ McCutchin of Love Cathedral in Richmond ,VA. It’s a question that I ask myself whenever I’ve gotten a little undone and need to find purpose or vision again:

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO GET FROM THIS?

Seriously! I find myself asking this all the time. When having awkward conversations, when realizing I made bad choices, even when watching a movie that feels deep but I’m just lost as hell… what am I supposed to get from this?

Maybe there’s a lesson to learn, a decision to make, a understanding to acquire. Either way, I don’t leave those moments without making sure I’ve gotten everything I’m supposed to get from it.