Those of us who have a background in quality management philosophies are familiar with what is known as the Plan, Do, Check, Act Cycle (also known by other names). We know how a simple 4-step process can help you to achieve greater success.
I have applied this simple process for over 25-years. Read on, learn, try it, and perfect it for yourself.
Simplifying the Quality Management Philosophies
Plan
You have been planning in pretty much every aspect of your life. Whether planning for a new home, a family, saving money, or a vacation, you already know the basics of planning. And, I’m sure some of your plans have worked out better than others but now you have a chance to make an even better future. To do better, create measurable goals. If you want to plan to run a marathon in 12-months, without stopping, in less than 4-hours, then you have a good plan. Now what do you need to do to bring your plan to life? You might need new running shoes, eat better, and start a training schedule.
Do
The Do phase is simple – take action on your plan. You can't be shy with putting your plan to work. If you took the time to develop a sound, yet simple plan, all you need to do is start. You know what to do so do it and follow-through! For that marathon, go buy those new running shoes, start eating better, start walking more or jogging, start associating with others who are jogging or competing in local races as well as half and full marathon races. Just put your plan into action! As the Nike saying goes “Just Do It!”
Check
This is the point where you determine if you are making progress toward your plan. It's time to face reality! Did you do what you said you'd do in your plan? Again, for that marathon, after 30-days, did you get those new running shoes and start walking or jogging? Are you jogging or running more than you were 30-days ago? If not, was your plan unrealistic or were you lazy? Let's face it, millions of people want to quit smoking, be healthier, lose weight, but never do. Are you starting to understand better why ‘New Year's Resolutions' rarely work out as planned?
Act
This is when one takes what they learned in the above “Check” phase and makes an informed decision to leave things as they are or change the plan that is not working. For the marathon example, if you are doing well with jogging, eating better, and making related progress then great, keep at it and ‘Check' back again in another 30-day. If you did not do what you ‘Planned,' then decide if you need a revised plan or need to talk to yourself and hold yourself more accountable. Change the plan if it was unrealistic; start a new ‘Do' phase, and in about 30-days (maybe sooner since you did not so well the first 30-days) ‘Check' your results again. Then, repeat the cycle!
Conclusion
Try out this quality management process and see what it does for you. This simple continuous process can be applied to many different applications. To learn even more, from me (please do), go to my YouTube video that that I posted a number of years ago that has over 100,000 views at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=947wRN72Wg0&t=13s
