7 Steps to Determining if you are In Crisis and What to Do About It - Part 2.

"The man who does things makes mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all - doing nothing." Benjamin Franklin.

Last month we took the first 3 steps towards resolving a very tricky situation. They were:

1. Identify - How to identify whether or not you are in crisis at work.

2. Accept, Face, Decide - If you are in crisis how to accept that fact, face it and decide to do something about it.

3. Set the Main Goal - Deciding precisely what you want instead of the current situation, checking it is the right goal and exactly when you want to achieve it.

This time we are going to cover the last 4 steps so that you can really begin to move forward, change the situation you are in and reach the one you want to be in.

Step 4 - Set the First Journey Goal

If you were going to take one step, right now, towards the main goal you set last time, what would that step be? What is the first mini-goal which when achieved will have started you on the journey and moved you one step closer?

It's important to note that I'm not talking about an action point here, I'm talking about a mini or journey goal (which will require a series of actions to achieve it). Let's say that your main goal is to achieve promotion to a particular post. The first mini-goal may be to improve relations with a particular influential colleague or improve the results of one of your teams (remember goals must be specific so 'improve' is not sufficient. You must state precisely what changes you want). This would then require several actions to achieve.

Put a deadline on the first mini goal. By when are you going to accomplish it?

Step 5 - Work out your options

Now what action could you take in order to achieve the journey goal?

What else?

What else?

Give your subconscious permission to produce whatever ideas it likes. It doesn't matter if they seem outrageous or impossible, just accept them and note them down.

Would finding yourself a mentor be a good step? What about talking to a trusted friend or colleague who could help you move forward? Perhaps signing up with a coach that you trust and can work with is the answer.

Keep asking 'What else?' until you are sure you have everything covered. And then ask once more.

Step 6 - Commit to your action plan

When you have a full list of options read it through and notice which actions leap out at you. Choose the actions you are going to take to achieve the mini goal and discard the others for the time being.

Make a fresh list containing the actions you intend to take.

It is vital to commit yourself to taking these actions so give each one a precise deadline. Write the date next to each one.

Ask yourself what could stop you taking each of these actions and how you could manoeuvre around those obstacles.

How committed are you to taking these actions? Answer on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is not at all and 10 is nothing will stop me.

If your answer is 7 or less you are not sufficiently committed. Go back to your goal and mini goal and re-assess them. Tweak them until you can get to this point with an answer of 8 or more.

Step 7 - Maintaining Momentum

Once you've achieved the first mini goal, you can use the same process to create and reach the second step and so on.

Each mini goal you reach is one step closer to that main goal.

If, at any point, you find yourself losing focus, panicking or getting stressed re- read this quote from R.I. Fitzhenry - 'Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don't let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.'

Now allow yourself to be creative and flexible and change the way things are to way you need them to be.