The lack of a clear vision of success prevents many people from accomplishing the success they desire.
Most people have vague ideas of what success means to them; a few perks they would like to achieve, such as more money or a bigger house, but they do not list specific goals or dreams. If an individual has a vague definition to success, he/she may lose interest when “success” is not quickly accomplished.
Specific goals keep people focused and determined to continue to pursue their dream of success. Do you have a clear vision and plan for success? If not, here are 5 simple steps to help you get started.
1. Determine exactly what you want to accomplish.
Rather than listing general benefits, focus on conceiving a PURPOSE. What and Why is important to you and What do you want to accomplish? Think about the qualities and skills you need to develop. List milestones that could help you along the way. Be very honest and specific… and make sure to write them down.
2. Plan an approximate time-line for completion.
Realistically, how long should it take to succeed? You should have a general idea of when you should reach your goals. This is crucial, because it can help you keep your eyes focused on the next step/goal. Of course, most times things do not happen at the time frame we anticipate, so be prepared to be flexible.
3. List clear action steps.
Besides knowing exactly what you want to achieve, knowing how to get there is also critical. Think about the desired end result, then consider exactly what you would need to do in order to get there. Write each step in order, and make notes of possible obstacles you may face. Also include action steps you could take to overcome these obstacles.
4. Develop a solid plan for implementing your steps into action.
Will all start on all of your action steps at the same time? Or is there a staggering progression that needs to be carefully planned out and implemented? If an obstacle comes up, would that change the order of your action steps? Prepare and plan ahead. However, do not stall and over analyze.
5. Re-evaluate and re-adjust as necessary.
Once you are moving forward, since circumstances always change, you might want to set aside some regular time to re-evaluate and re-adjust your plans. You can do this as frequently as needed in order to ensure you are on a track that will help you accomplish your goals.
With a clear vision of purpose, a strong desire to achieve it, specific plans to get there, and continuous productive action you will soon find yourself are on the fast track to success.