What does success mean to you, if I may ask? Whatever it is, soon or later you will realise that if you want success, you have to take action and go for it.
Being action oriented and results focused will do a lot to keep you on track in your path to achieving your well desired and deserved goals.
The bottom line is that, you are responsible for the results you achieve in life. Not the government, not your parents, not your friends, not your mother in law. No, none of them. YOU are responsible. You are the common denominator to both your triumphs and your mess-up’s.
Day in and day out, a lot of people realise their dreams while yet a lot shatter theirs. The gift of 'today' is a great gift. The truth is every day is the perfect day to do the right thing, to pursue your dreams, to take action, to begin.
Brian Tracy truly encapsulates this notion of the achiever in his piece of writing; “10 steps to Success”. I will quote them here for you.
“1. Start by clarifying the dream. Dream it big, dream it often, and always in living colour! Imagine the problems, the benefits, the skills you’ll need the people you’ll meet along the way. Dream often and dream the details.
2. Create a plan. What will your dream cost? How will it work? How long will it take? Who will help you get there? How will you solve the challenges, overcome the obstacles, and become the person you’ll need to become to reach your goal?
3. Reach out. We live in an amazing time. You can write, phone, fax, or email just about anyone on earth! Consult with experts. Talk to people who have achieved whatever you want to achieve. Truly successful people are usually delighted to show others the way. Make the calls.
4 Tell others. There is no substitute for talking about your dreams. Saying the words makes them powerful. Talk about where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you will become. And as a benefit, you will discover people who will help you along the way.
5. Take action. No matter what your dream, there is a step you can take today. If you are serious, there is someone you can call or write to. There is a book you can read, or some action that will start you on the path. Steven Spielberg snuck into movie lots as a teenager, just to look around. What action will you take today?
6. Set deadlines. Set deadlines for each of your small/big, personal/official, long-term/short-term task AND always try to finish the task by that deadline.
7. Eliminate distractions. This is the tough one, and a favourite excuse of the “almost successful”. Successful people eliminate the distractions of life. Combine errands, delegate tasks, hire people to do things you don’t want to do. Simplify your life and never waste time. Turn off the TV (and some time also the computer)
8. Invest wisely. Successful people understand that their dreams will require an investment of time or money or energy and they are prepared to pay the price. Whatever your dream, it will require some risk, and some investment. Make the investment.
9. Create room for success. All of us are doing something every moment of every day, and making your dreams come true will require some adjustments. Whether it’s adjusting your schedule, your finances, or your use of energy, you’ll have to make room for success.
10. Have a mentor/coach. Whether you hire a professional coach or find a local expert, or a cyber friend. Successful people have coaches. There are very few “self made” successes! We all need someone to believe in us, someone to encourage, challenge and applaud us. Develop a close, working relationship with a coach who can show you the way to your dreams!
Success is no accident. Success is always the result of our best efforts. It is the result of investing”.
May I add that, prayer is very, very essential in helping you achieve your goals. The whole of life, in all its manifestations, must be permeated by prayer. But its secret is Love for the Lord.
Peace & Love
Libs
