What is Success?
Success means different things to different people. The word itself has a fairly simple definition. It means outcome or result.
So the question that we must pose to ourselves then is, “Are we getting the results or outcomes we had hoped to achieve” Either we are moving forward along the right path toward our intended goal, or we have been diverted along the way. And, whatever we have already accomplished, there's always another interesting-looking mountain to climb. If you’re looking for more achievement, you can improve your life radically with a few simple changes.
Getting on Track
I am going to offer several simple and obvious suggestions to you. We all know these things, but every now and then we need to be reminded of them. We also need to be prompted to be conscientious in our pursuits to make them part of our daily habits. Although these suggestions are straightforward, most of them will require constant attention for a time until they become habitual. Once they become automatic, though, you'll be pleased with your progress.
Action Steps:
1. Set goals.
Our minds are tremendously good at finding solutions. We can help ourselves a lot by doing a good job of outlining and prioritizing our objectives. The simplest way to do this is to write down your goal(s) and include a deadline. Now your mind, both waking and sleeping, knows what to work on and when to have it accomplished. Read over your goals at least twice a day to provide mental emphasis that they are important. We all know how easy it is to get sidetracked by life’s distractions, those real and imagined, and forget all about our goals and plans.
You will be amazed how well you can keep on-track when you know where you are headed.
2. Get organized.
Yes, I’m going to talk about making lists. Lists are important so that we have something to refer to as we progress. Many people suggest reviewing lists in the morning to set the tone for the day. I have found that I do much better by making and reviewing my lists at night. Before I go to bed each night, along with picking my clothes, and making sure my briefcase is packed, I make a list with all the things I want to accomplish the next day. Doing this at night gives your brain a chance to work on things while we sleep. Also, you’ll feel much better when you can start the day with a clear objective instead of spending time trying to figure out what to do.
Personally, I have found that my subconscious mind can work out solutions that I could not see in the rush and noise of the day. So, along with making and reviewing the list before bed, I also keep a pad and pen/pencil on my nightstand. If I think of something fantastic at night, I can scribble it down and have it available in the morning. Plus, I don’t have to lose sleep trying to hold it in my mind until daylight.
3. Fix your attitude.
People who are happy, content and successful usually have a positive attitude. That's what allows them to move forward assuredly and with confidence. This is not the same as acting. I am talking about being! Minor challenges don't bog them down because they believe that things will work out in the end. They are also keeping the broader, bigger picture in mind, so minor challenges are just that…minor, and easily bypassed or overcome. As an example, if you want to be healthy, do you have a positive outlook about that? Your attitudes must be congruent or in-tune with your objectives.
Everything starts on the inside; seeing outside changes in your life takes time and work.
4. Spend time with successful individuals.
You'll frequently find that you achieve about as much as the people with whom you spend the most time. If you want to be successful, affiliate as often as you can with people who are more successful than you.
One of the potential benefits of this is that you'll be exposed to a completely different way of thinking and interacting with the world. Successful people look at many things differently than those who are less successful. Integrating some of these ideas into your own thinking will likely bring you more successes of your own.
Secondly, you'll be exposed to new opportunities. High-achieving people frequently have all kinds of projects going on; you never know when they might need a helping hand. You’ll also get to connect with their peer group, who are likely to be very successful as well. This applies to your real life face-to-face contacts, but also in social media. And, no, I’m not talking about stalking Bill Gates to hang out. Most of us rub shoulders with people who are smarter, more successful and think differently than we do in many ways. Open up your mind and life to some new contacts that aren’t doing the same “old thing” you have been doing.
5. Make time to play.
Play is essential to our growth and development. It affords us an opportunity to relax, try new skills or activities and bond with those we care about. We should never find ourselves so busy or so focused on our success that we sacrifice those we love to it.
These 5 simple ideas can bring you tremendous power, if you'll use them to your advantage. And when you really stop to think about is, being successful is really no more challenging than being unsuccessful. Both require specific actions and attitudes applied consistently over a period of time.
Make some changes in your life and in your thinking today and give yourself the gift of success…however you define it.
Thoughts?
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39287453@N03/3612149144/sizes/m/in/photostream/
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