Steve Lear

While several versions of the TRIP decision-making process are available on this site (see the short Outline or complete Manual), we’re also spotlighting the content as individual chapters, making it easier for readers to get a step-by-step understanding of TRIP’s benefits. Let’s cross the Finish Line!

By Chapter Nine, roadblocks have been cleared, and you’re free to enact the best strategy to achieve your goal. Project management begins! Read The Open Road to learn why it’s important to build rest stops into the process and how to know when you’ve reached your final destination.

TIME TO DRIVE!

You’ve made the hard decisions, developed the best strategies, and are ready to put your TRIP Roadmap into action. Enacting a strategy usually involves people, capital (money), a calendar, space, and leadership. Project management begins!

Traveling the open road to reach your goal can take days, months—even years. Rest stops can be a critical pause to rejuvenate on your journey. Taking time away from the process to vacation, exercise, or spend quality time with friends can help restore your perspective and motivation. Re-engaging with a clear mind can result in new and better ways to remove Roadblocks.

By choosing TRIP, I hope you’ll reach your goal in less time and with less frustration. I suggest you set up regular tracking meetings to monitor and celebrate your progress.

THE FINISH LINE

How will you know when you’ve crossed the finish line? It will look like you’ve accomplished your goal and feel like you’ve reached your destination.

It’s a practical assessment of the project, combined with an emotional sense of
accomplishment. Everyone involved will either be smiling, clapping, and drinking champagne—or tearful and sad. If you didn’t reach your goal, there’s a very good chance it had nothing to do with you or other members of the team.

Why? Because sometimes you can pursue your best strategy yet still not meet your goal. For example, maybe your fundraising event didn’t reach your target dollar amount despite

• Great publicity.
• A wonderful speaker.
• Good attendance.
• Pledged support.

Whether or not you succeeded, now is the time for reflection. Either way, your journey represents progress!

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