The truth about success is:
- that it’s different for each of us, and
- that success is usually different at different times of our lives.
The success we want as teens and then as young adults is very different than the success we want in our working years, and retirement. What matters for you –at whatever life stage you are experiencing—is to learn the proven steps to achieving what you want.
1. Have a vision for your life. Ask yourself, “What is it that I want right now?” Make a list. Salary, job, car, relationship—write it down. One of the questions which seems to help our clients get greater clarity of their vision of success is to ask themselves: if it were a year from today and I am exceptionally happy in my life, what would be happening for me to be able to say that?
Visions can be overwhelming to your brain. Goals are manageable. For example, if you want to become a professional (real estate agent, stockbroker, business owner or buy that car), you might begin by stetting some “tangible goals” and then create “action plans” to make them come to reality.
Develop your vision into smaller steps
2. Tangible Goals: “The dictionary defines tangible as anything that can be firmly grasped, either with hand or the mind. Some of your tangible goals might include buying a new car by 2nd quarter of the year, passing my Real Estate license by February 15th , getting promoted to Director of of my department.
3. Action Steps: com defines an action planas a sequence of steps that must be taken, or activities that must be performed well, for a strategy to success.
These are some practical examples of “action steps” connected to your goals:
- Networking and Informational Interviews. Meeting with others in that industry to find out the process that successful Real Estate professionals use to become successful in their careers. You might have imagined how it might be, but learn the good and bad from others who are living it.
- What education, training, and certifications are important to become an expert in your chosen field?
- What networking and attending industry conferences promote for career opportunities
Success takes work. Numerous people have been credited for this quote including Mark Twain and Vince Lombardi: “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” There is no one formula for success and usually no short cuts. Success is earned by visioning, goal setting, planning and implementing that plan.
Success is not always a straight line. There will be small failures, glitches and discouraging moments. Don’t lose sight of your ‘big picture’. You may need to modify or make changes along the way and wonder if you really know what you’re doing. You’re not alone. Find an objective sounding board—a mentor or professional coach will help keep you motivated and on track.
Celebrate every success no matter how small. Every accomplishment deserves acknowledgement. If you’ve ever joined Weight Watchers, every ounce or pound lost gets applause from the group. Support yourself when you make progress.
Understand that success changes. We might acquire that Director promotion and realize that two years from today I would like to become V.P. of my division. a car and find that the next time our sights are set on a bigger car because the family has grown. What we thought was a successful relationship isn’t as harmonious as anticipated. Or we are in a chosen profession that no longer satisfies.