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Every other week get a deep dive into one topic from the Action Academy Newsletter!
Alison Leigh Simmons
Make A Plan. Take Action.
Welcome to Issue #2!!
Welcome to Issue #2!!
Here is a quick breakdown of what you’re getting in this week’s issue:
- How to Prioritize your Goals
- Storytelling in Marketing
- Simple Framework for Planning Projects
- Why Setting Achievable Goals Actually Matters
Can’t see the forest for all the trees?
INSIGHTS FROM THE REDWOOD FOREST
Last weekend, we headed to the Northern CA coast with my parents to visit the giant Redwoods and they did not disappoint!
Every step we took brought us deeper into the dense forest where the trees just kept getting bigger and bigger. It was easy to feel incredibly small and insignificant.
And my brain could not not think about how this little excursion related to growing a business…
The trees are your goals, your challenges, and your competition. The deeper you get into your business, the denser and the bigger the “trees” become.
You may feel small, ill-equipped, and even insignificant looking at these powerful giants looming over you.
The answer is not to start cutting down the trees (good luck with that!), but rather figure out which one to climb first and know how to climb it.
And I am here to help you with that…keep reading!
The Productivity Playbook: Mastering the Art of Prioritizing
The Productivity Playbook: Mastering the Art of Prioritizing
PRIORITY = (IMPORTANCE + UREGENCY)/EFFORT
Importance: How crucial is this goal/task to your overall business vision? (think long-term here)
Urgency: How quickly does this task need to be completed? (think concrete deadlines/missed opportunities)
Effort: What amount of resources are required to complete it? (think creative energy, $, time, etc)
(Math Geek Alert 🤓)
Now, assign a value of 1(low) – 10(high) to each of these 3 factors and do the actual math. (yes, even you math-haters should do this because it really helps!)
Choose the result of the equation with the highest value – that is your current priority!
It doesn’t mean it’s the “biggest tree” in the forest, just the one you need to climb FIRST. Stay focused on that one BIG tree and don’t stress about the others right now.
Marketing Marvels: The Art of Storytelling
Marketing Marvels: The Art of Storytelling
CREATING NARRATIVES THAT ENGAGE AND CAPTIVATE
I started my email with a personal story about my trip to the Redwoods, related it to my audience’s business struggles, and then even tied it back into my Productivity tip. Why?
Because using storytelling in your marketing is an incredibly effective way to connect with your audience by making your message more enjoyable, memorable, and relatable.
Project Prodigy: The Fundamentals of Effective Project Planning
Project Prodigy: The Fundamentals of Effective Project Planning
FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE FRAMEWORK
1. Start by defining the desired end result with as much detail as possible.
2. Break the project down into smaller, manageable tasks & assign who is responsible for each along with what resources are needed.
3. Develop a realistic timeline, including “milestone markers” as mini-deadlines to help you stay on track.
(want me to walk through this WITH you? 👇)
Mindset Makeover: Setting ACHIEVABLE Goals
Mindset Makeover: Setting ACHIEVABLE Goals
SMART GOALS ARE ACTUALLY SMART
Why? Because they force you to create clear objectives and act as a roadmap, guiding your actions and decisions moving forward.
This, in turn, gives you the confidence to approach opportunities & challenges with determination, knowing that your efforts are purposable and attainable.