How to create an action plan: template and examples

Most people set goals with the best of intentions, but without a clear action plan, it’s easy to lose steam. You start strong, hit a few obstacles, and before you know it, the goal fades into the background.

Let’s say you’re training for a marathon. You go all in, running every day…until soreness and fatigue knock you off track. A day off turns into a week. Eventually, you decide not to run the race at all. Not because you couldn’t, but because you didn’t pace yourself with a plan.

If this example sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Research shows that 94% of people don’t achieve their goals—not because they’re lazy or uncommitted, but because they don’t have the structure needed to follow through.

To beat the odds and join the 6% that do reach their goals, you need to learn how to create an effective action plan. Willpower, motivation, and focus may fade, but a clear plan keeps you moving forward.

What is an action plan?

An action plan is a document that lays out the steps or tasks you must complete to achieve a goal. Like an instruction manual, each item builds on the last, inching you toward a finish line.

In the business world, an action plan is a fundamental strategic planning and project management tool that keeps teams on task. You’d assign a team member to each item and provide clear deadlines to ensure everyone is working on a specific objective that moves the project forward. 

In your personal life, an action plan can help you achieve goals related to your well-being or self-improvement. But instead of assigning tasks to different team members, you're responsible for completing each item on your own.

Are action plans effective? 

Action plans are highly effective because they tap into a research-backed strategy known as implementation intention—the practice of clearly defining when, where, and how you’ll take specific actions toward your goal. Unlike traditional goal-setting, which often stops at naming the outcome, action plans focus on the process. 

Instead of vaguely hoping you'll find the time, willpower, or motivation for your goals, implementation intention involves deliberately creating conditions that trigger action. As a result, you dramatically increase the likelihood of follow-through. 

In fact, research consistently shows that individuals who use implementation intentions (which are a key component of action plans) are significantly more successful in achieving their goals compared to those who do not.

Ultimately, this approach works because it removes ambiguity, one of the biggest barriers we face when going after a new goal. By mapping out specific steps and assigning concrete times and locations to each task, an action plan reduces decision fatigue and makes procrastination less likely. 

With that kind of clarity, you’re no longer left wondering what to do next. You have a realistic, step-by-step roadmap to follow, transforming your goal from a vague intention into something you can actually achieve.

How to create an action plan to reach your goals

A strong action plan doesn’t just outline what needs to get done. It creates momentum by making each task clear, realistic, and manageable. 

Whether you're working toward a personal milestone or a professional objective, these steps will help you break your goal into actionable steps and stay on track along the way.

Step 1: Choose one goal to focus on 

Research shows that implementation intention—planning exactly when, where, and how you’ll take action—is most effective when directed toward a single goal. Trying to achieve too many things at once can dilute your focus and undermine your progress.

Think about it this way: Focusing on one goal at a time is like a steady stream of water carving through stone. It’s not force or speed that shapes the rock; it’s consistency and forward movement. An action plan works the same way. When it’s centered around a single goal, it channels your effort with intention. 

When you try to go after more than one goal at a time, your energy spreads thin, like water over a flat surface. But when it’s focused, even the toughest obstacles begin to shift. Each day, you make more progress toward your goals, reinforcing your motivation and building confidence in your ability to follow through. 

As you begin writing your action plan, start with one goal that feels meaningful and relevant right now. It might be a short-term milestone, like creating a morning routine, completing a project at work, or building better relationships with your team members. Or it could be something bigger, like changing your career or transforming your health.

If you’re unsure where to begin, look for a domino goal. This kind of goal, if achieved, would naturally move other goals forward. For example, improving your time management skills would naturally help you meet deadlines, reduce stress, and make time for personal projects.

Step 2: Define your goal using the SMART framework

Once you’ve chosen a goal to focus on, the next step is to define it clearly. Vague goals like “improve my time management” or “get healthier” are easy to set but hard to follow through on. Without clarity, it’s difficult to measure progress, know what success looks like, or stay motivated when things get challenging.

That’s where the SMART goal framework comes in. It’s a research-backed strategy that helps you turn broad intentions into specific, achievable plans. In one study, participants who set SMART goals were more likely to make meaningful progress and reported feeling more positive and motivated as a result. 

To set a SMART goal, follow these steps: 

• Specific: Define exactly what you want to accomplish. Make sure you have a clear vision that’s beyond misinterpretation. Instead of, “I want to improve my sleep hygiene,” you can try, “I will sleep for eight hours for 30 nights straight.”
• Measurable: Decide how you'll track your progress. In the example above, the number of nights slept for eight hours would be a clear and appropriate measurement. Using a sleep tracker could help you monitor the data.
• Attainable: Make sure your objective is realistic, given your current resources and constraints. If you have a toddler who regularly cries in the middle of the night, eight hours of sleep may be an unreasonable goal. Aim to achieve something smaller instead, like six hours a night and an afternoon nap.
• Relevant: Ensure the goal aligns with your broader values or priorities. You're more likely to reach your goals if you have a clear “why.” For example, a good reason for wanting to sleep eight hours a night would be “to give me more energy to excel at work and improve my work-life balance.”
• Time-bound: Assign a clear timeline or specific deadline for your goal. Too short, and it may feel discouraging if you miss a day or two. Too long, and it can be hard to stay focused. In our sleep example, six months is definitely a reasonable target for achieving this goal. It would give you time to make the necessary lifestyle changes and develop healthy habits, like going to sleep earlier and getting more exercise.

Step 3: Break down your goal into tasks

After you’ve set a SMART goal, the real work of creating your action plan begins. Start by listing out all the tasks required to achieve your goal. Each action item should be simple and specific. If it can’t be done in a single sitting, you may need to break down the task further. 

For example, if your SMART goal is to sleep eight hours a night for 30 nights within the next six months, your task list might include:

• Put up blackout curtains in your bedroom to reduce light 
• Choose a consistent bedtime and wake-up time
• Develop a nightly phone-free bedtime routine
• Limit caffeine after 2 PM
• Track sleep with an app or journal

You might need to do some research during this phase, too. Find books related to your goal, listen to podcasts hosted by experts, or ask a mentor, coach, or peer for advice. The more you learn about what’s required to reach your goal, the better your action plan will be. 

Step 4: Create a timeline with realistic deadlines

Now that you’ve outlined your action plan tasks, the next step is to create a timeline and assign each task a due date.

To build momentum, prioritize foundational tasks that make future action items easier or more enjoyable. For example, if the light outside your windows prevents you from falling asleep, installing blackout curtains is an important first step towards your sleep goals. 

As you organize your tasks across a timeline, look for natural milestones to mark your progress, like “log 5 nights of 8 hours of sleep.” The small wins along the way will give you a boost of dopamine and help you stay motivated.

Finally, include some buffer room in your timeline. Giving yourself breathing room can reduce pressure around your goals and make it easier to stay consistent. And if you make progress faster than expected? That’s a motivating surprise, and it’s far better than the discouragement that comes from constantly missing deadlines you assigned for yourself.

Step 5: Track your progress

The best part of having an effective action plan is witnessing your progress. Once you set goals, brainstorm action items, and put them in a document, print out your list and put it somewhere visible. As you complete tasks, tick them off one by one. This helps you feel accomplished with each step.

Here are a few other ways to monitor progress: 

• Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for deadlines, tasks, and notes. 
• Leverage a project management tool like Asana, Trello, or Notion. Many of these platforms offer action plan templates to help you get started. 
• Use a bullet journal to track task completion and reflect on your action plan progress. 
• Download a habit-tracking app that sends reminders and tracks streaks—this is ideal for building consistency with daily or weekly habits.
• Schedule weekly check-ins with yourself or an accountability partner to reflect on what’s working, what needs adjusting, and what you’re proud of. 

Step 6: Reward yourself along the way

Rewards are an important part of your action plan. When you intentionally tie small rewards to specific milestones, you give yourself a powerful reason to stay consistent, especially when motivation dips. Don’t skip this part. It’s one of the best ways to sustain effort over time.

As you draft your action plan, try assigning specific rewards to the completion of different tasks or milestones. For example, if you’ve stuck to your sleep routine for two weeks, treat yourself to cozy new pajamas. If you’re working toward a professional goal, celebrate hitting a key milestone by taking yourself out to lunch or sharing the win with your team members.

Your reward doesn’t have to be big. It just needs to feel good and reinforce your commitment to keep going. 

Step 7: Stay flexible and keep going

Even with a solid action plan, there will be hard days. Life will interrupt your routine. You might miss a deadline, lose motivation, or question whether the goal is worth it. That’s normal—and it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

As you follow your action plan, some days will feel like a sprint; others may be a slow walk. What matters most is that you keep going. So, if you face a setback or just need a break, give yourself permission to adjust your action plan and timeline. Allow yourself to rest. Then, return to your goal with a fresh mindset. 

And if you ever feel stuck, working with a coach can be a powerful way to move forward. Coaching can help you troubleshoot challenges, reconnect with your motivation, and adjust your plan in a way that aligns with your values.

Ultimately, following through on your action plan, even when it gets hard, will build confidence, self-esteem, and resilience. And those qualities will support you long after you’ve achieved your goal.

Get started with an action plan template 

Before you create your own action plan, it can be helpful to start with a simple structure. The action plan template below provides a bare-bones outline you can customize to fit any personal or professional goal: 

• Goal/Objective: Write out what you want to accomplish. Be as specific as possible. This will keep your tasks aligned and focused.
• Timeline: Decide on a deadline for completing your goal and outline key milestones or phases.
  Tasks: Break the goal into small, actionable steps. These should be realistic and easy to track.
• Resources and support: List anything you’ll need to complete tasks. For example, tools, time, training, or, if others are involved, team members.
• Progress tracking: List the metrics you'll track, like hours of sleep per night, and decide how you'll keep a record of your progress. 
• Success criteria: Define what success looks like. How will you know the goal is complete?

Remember that the goal of writing an action plan is to get started, not to seek perfection. A rough draft of your action plan is better than no action plan at all.

Action plan example

As you work on creating your own action plan, here’s an example to guide your efforts. 

In this example, our SMART goal is to launch a personal website showcasing a creative portfolio by October 15. In the action plan below, pay attention to how the smaller tasks align with the big goal and how each deadline builds on the last.

• Pick a web host and purchase a domain name (due September 5)
• Curate the work I want to showcase on my website (due September 8)

• Choose a website template that would be suitable for my work (due September 10)

• Reach out to previous clients for testimonials about the quality of my work (due September 11)
• Follow up with previous clients who haven’t yet sent their testimonials (due September 15)

• Create a generic resume to feature on my website, highlighting my biggest accomplishments (due September 15)
• Draft descriptions for the videos I want to feature on my “Audio/Visual Production” page (due September 18) 

• Draft descriptions for the photos I want to feature on my “Photography” page (due September 18)
• Create separate web pages titled “About Me,” “Resume,” “Photography,” “Writing,” “Audio/Visual Production,” and “Client testimonials” (due September 20)

• Write the information for the “About Me” page (due September 23)

• Upload my resume to my website’s “Resume” page and format it appropriately (due September 25)

• Upload client testimonials to my “Client Testimonials” page (due September 25)

• Upload my bio and a headshot to my “About Me” page (due September 25)

• Upload and organize my photography to my “Photography” page (due September 25)
• Upload and format my writing samples on my “Writing” page (due September 30)
• Upload my videos and descriptions to my “Audio/Visual Production” page (due September 30)
• Have a friend review my website for any typos, broken links, or other glaring errors (due October 10)
• Launch website (due October 15)

Achieve your goals with an effective action plan

Whether you’re going after a promotion or training for a marathon, learning how to make an action plan can be the difference between stalling out and making steady, sustainable progress. A well-developed plan doesn’t just clarify what to do. It gives you structure, builds momentum, and keeps you accountable on days when motivation is low.

A BetterUp Coach can help you bring your action plan to life. From goal setting to identifying action items, a coach can offer valuable support, structure, and personalized guidance every step of the way. With the right plan and the right support, real progress is possible.