How to Achieve Success
What is success? The definition will vary depending on who you ask. For some it may revolve around money or power. For others it may mean reaching certain milestones. Still others may use a completely different set of metrics.
The point is, that everyone’s definition of success is different. What is important is that you clearly understand how you define success.
Create a Definition
If you haven’t already, you should take the time to write down what success means to you – not society, your mother, or your best friend – but you.
Here are some thought questions to get you started thinking about success:
- What is important to you?
- What do you love to do?
- Under what circumstances do you feel fulfilled?
For me, success is freedom and control. I control my time and energy; I have the freedom to decide if and when I want to do something. I have the flexibility to change my schedule as I see fit. Happiness trumps money; I’d rather live more modestly and be happy spending time with family and friends then working all the time to make more money but have no time for relationships. That is success for me.
Make a Plan
Now that you know how you define success it’s time to look at what you’re doing and see how that fits with your definition. What would you like to change about your life as it currently is and what would you like to keep? It’s time to define your goals and create an action plan.
Where to Go From Here
So how does one go about achieving success? Here are some links to start you on your journey. You may want to bookmark this page so you can come back to check out the other links!
Getting Motivated
- How to Make a Vision Board. One of the best ways to stay motivated to work towards your goals is to create a vision board that you can see daily. It’s easy to put even important things on the back-burner when life’s little things constantly vie for your attention, and having a vision board front and center will keep your eyes on the prize… read more
- Inertia, also known as Newton’s First Law of Motion, “is a power of resisting by which every body, as much as in it lies, endeavours to preserve its present state, whether it be of rest or of moving uniformly forward in a straight line.” More simply put, if it’s not moving it won’t move unless something makes it move. And when you apply that to a person, my mother would call that “lazy.” Read how to overcome your personal inertia.
- Who are you spending time with? “You are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with” says Jim Rohn, renowned businessman and motivational speaker. Write down the five people with whom you spend the most time interacting on a regular basis. Now rate how much of a positive influence that person is on your life. Do they help and support the goals you are trying to achieve? Or are they usually sabotaging (even if innocently) your efforts for self-improvement?
Increasing Productivity
- Are you hung up on perfect? I often feel I could complete a project better if… I had more time, more money, more resources, more…. something. Lately I’ve been taking this problem – because it is a problem – head on. It’s time to stop procrastinating. Learn four techniques to kick procrastination to the curb.
- Unfocused productivity. Sometimes I possess laser-like focus, with task at hand I plow through and get the work done. Then there are days when I show up at my desk and stare blankly at the screen. This, in spite of the fact that I have taken time the night before to contemplate what one thing I plan to focus on for the day. Some days, it just doesn’t click. Read about 5 productive things to do when you’re unfocused.
Goals
- Great expectations of SMART goals. One of the main reasons people don’t reach their goals is that they often set unrealistic and vague goals. You are ten times more likely to achieve your goals if you are specific and write them down. Learn how to create SMART goals.
