Final answer:
It is important to put action plans in place to achieve your goals because they help to break down the goal into manageable steps, and when coupled with SMART criteria, allow for progress tracking and staying motivated.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the textbook, it is important to put action plans in place to meet your goals. Creating a tangible Action Plan involves setting feasible action steps, making the goal more manageable. Not only should these steps be specific, they should also include a target date for each action to help monitor progress.
Goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. To ensure goals are achievable and appropriate, plan how to achieve them and set realistic time goals. The measurability of your goals is essential, as it allows you to determine when a goal has been accomplished.
When pursuing any goal, it's also crucial that the goal be relevant to your larger plans and have a specific deadline. This way, you can ensure they support your progress and provide motivation. Each step you list provides clarity, motivation, and helps maintain the momentum needed to stay on track.