| So many of us want success, but how many of us | | | | within yourself and think about that thing(s) that inspires |
| really know what we mean when we say it? And | | | | you. Think about that thing that if you don't surrender to |
| please..... don't blurt out some superficial "bling and glam" | | | | it will continue to nag and gnaw at your conscious and |
| definition like VH1 defines it on "The Fabulous Life of ......" | | | | make you miserable because you keep resisting it. |
| The expensive cars, the safe full of jewelry and the | | | | 2. Determine WHY you want what you want. You |
| massive homes on every continent are only fruits of | | | | need a strong enough reason to push you to success |
| success, not success itself. Rather, Success is the | | | | because your drive, passion and persistence is what |
| realization and accomplishment of worthy goals. They | | | | will get you through the obstacles, challenges and |
| are those purpose driven milestones that we set in our | | | | hurdles that you will surely confront along the way. |
| lives based on our values, beliefs and ambitions. You | | | | Experts say, 80% of Success is WHY and 20% is |
| know them when you see them because they bring a | | | | HOW. |
| sense of fulfillment and peace of mind when actively | | | | 3. Document your Vision! Denis Waitley reminds us that |
| pursued. On the flip side, however, they increase our | | | | "The secret to productive goal setting is in establishing |
| level of anxiety and frustration when we let fear and | | | | clearly defined goals, writing them down and then |
| complacency stop us from pursuing them. You should | | | | focusing on them several times a day with words, |
| know that feelings of fear are part of the process, but | | | | pictures and emotions as if we've already achieved |
| you need to acknowledge that fear and move through | | | | them." Remember a goal that is not written down is a |
| it because I guarantee you that if you don't take time | | | | wish! |
| to set and actively pursue (purpose driven) goals, you | | | | 4. Contemplate your self as having, being and doing |
| will most certainly be destined to work on achieving | | | | exactly what you want to have, be and do. Make a |
| someone else's. And we all know how that feels, | | | | mental blueprint of your success. Visualize it! See it! |
| right? | | | | Feel it! Believe in it! |
| So once again, I ask what does Success look like to | | | | 5. Find a role model. Someone who is already |
| you? Can you tell me what it looks like? Feels like? | | | | successful doing that thing that you want to do. |
| Taste like? In your minds eye how are you acting, | | | | Studying how they achieved their success will help to |
| dressing and being in the midst of your success? | | | | accelerate yours. |
| What I am asking you to do here is gain a crystal clear | | | | 6. Take action! We can have all the best intentions, but |
| image of exactly what it is that you want to attain. In | | | | your real power and success, will come from |
| your heart, who do you really want to become? Earl | | | | consistent action taken daily against the documented |
| Nightingale states it so clearly. He says, "People with | | | | goals that you have set for yourself. Without action, |
| goals succeed because they know where they are | | | | you could have the hottest idea and the tightest |
| going... It's as simple as that.". In other words, clarity is | | | | business plan and you would still fail. Whereas a "so |
| power and the successful person is like any other | | | | what who cares" idea and an inadequate business |
| person, they just have laser-like focus. | | | | plan often produces success when accompanied by |
| So now that I have rattled off all these questions and | | | | sufficient action. |
| gotten your brain going a mile a minute wondering "Will | | | | Okay, so there, now that you have the necessary |
| I ever find success?" I've taken the liberty to outline six | | | | tools to start you on the path to success, I urge you to |
| steps that will help you identify what success looks like | | | | get started immediately. Don't let 2005 roll in with out |
| for you. | | | | having developed your plans for success. |
| Six steps for identifying What Success Looks Like for | | | | "Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right'. Start |
| You: | | | | where you stand, and work with whatever tools you |
| 1. Identify your purpose. We are all here for a reason, | | | | may have at your command, and better tools will be |
| to serve some purpose. I encourage you to really look | | | | found as you go along. |