Most have heard the saying, “Ready, Aim, Fire.” There’s actually a great deal of wisdom in those three little words. Let’s take that to the level of who we are and how we operate – or SHOULD operate.
First, determine which type of person you are:
1. Are you ready….ready…ready…and never getting beyond getting ready?
2. Are you aim…aim…aim…always planning but never doing?
3. Are you FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!?– and, yes, those capital letters and exclamation points are there on purpose. Are you always starting but never finishing?
The fact is, few people take the time to follow the adage, “Ready, Aim, Fire” – in that order and in that manner of progression. Most of us get stuck somewhere along the way, or we mix up the order – for example, Fire….oops! – Ready, Aim.
In reading Discover Your Sweet Spot by Scott Fay a few months ago, I found his approach to being successful in business simple, yet profound. It is, at its core, based on the solid principle of Ready, Aim, Fire. As you approach your work, ask yourself if you are covering each facet – and, just as important, in the right order.
READY – In Scott’s landscaping business, he always begins with the vision. It goes beyond flowers and shrubbery, pools and fountains, to what the homeowner envisions doing within the space. One person may see it as a solitary, quiet sanctuary; while another may view it as a great venue for hosting large outdoor dinner parties. With a clear vision, you can create a design that fits. Do you have a vision for where you want to go? Vision is so important that the Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Get the vision clear in your mind, but don’t stop there.
AIM – This is the step where you draw up the plan and prepare to execute it. Planning is key because a good plan will keep you on track – aimed toward the goal you have set based on your vision. Without a plan, you will waste time, money, and effort. Business coach, Chuck Bowen, says, “If you can work it out on paper, you can make it happen.”
Now the downside of this comes when you plan and plan and plan and then seek to perfect the plan. Planning is not the goal. Creating what you envisioned is the goal. Keep moving forward with the plan.
FIRE – This is the mantra of the high energy achievers. And the fact is, we can all take a lesson from them. We need that fire to get us moving. Without the passion, the energy, and the desire, we will not accomplish all we could have accomplished.
The key to using FIRE correctly is to have the vision and the plan first. This channels the energy toward completing the goal and helps keep us from starting and not finishing.
If something isn’t working, stop and review this sequence to see if one of these is missing or out of order. Chances are, one of these is your issue. How do you fix it? Simply go back to where the breakdown happened and start there.
You might just be amazed at what you can do when you take this approach.
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Note: In our upcoming Thinking for a Change series, we will be going through Scott Fay’s book, Discover Your Sweet Spot. Participants will receive a free copy of the book. Click here for details if you’d like to join us for the series.