Today we’re going to talk about success - and how to get there, step by step.
But first, let’s talk a little background because it’s a process, success. Sadly, you can’t go from being a high school dropout to being a CEO in one year without faking documents and misleading a lot of people. But it is possible to go from nothing to something in a short time if you make a plan and stick to it strictly.
Indeed, you have to learn a little something almost constantly, you have to change your point of view - start seeing things as opportunities and openings and doorways to things you never saw before.
Most of all I think our desire is comfort and security, the kind of security that means there is no such thing as a financial emergency. We don’t want to be crippled by any unexpected expenses.
When something goes wrong, I’m immediately checking out my budget to see what I can move where to afford the cost of correcting a problem. Replacing two cars this year was a catastrophe on our budget. To be honest, we’re still recovering from the addition of a car payment that we didn’t have before, there’s a lot to be said about owning a car outright. A LOT! How I miss those days, lol.
My point is, we’re really not that different you and I, we have a lot of the same issues come up in our lives, problems, catastrophes, etc. It’s how we react to them that makes the difference in our future. I realize that I can’t take “it” with me when I go, but that doesn’t keep me from wanting “it”. IT being money.
There are tons of cliches about money and the never ending chase of masses of it…my favorite is, “You can’t take it with you when you go.” Even though you can’t take it with you, I’d like to leave something behind for my son, and any other child(ren) I may have in the future, and my husband if I go first. That’s hard to think about - that’s for another day.
We all want to be successful, how we define that success for ourselves is what makes us individuals, and as such, individuals with different goals. So how do you translate your definition of success into a working outline of goals and start working toward your personal definition of success? Check it out…
1. List your goals and objectives for yourself.
Be realistic about your abilities when you make goals. Don’t expect to have a doctorate in 4 years.2. Separate your list into long term goals (5 or more years) and short term goals (0 - 5 years).
Separate them further if you like, but keep it simple so that you don’t give up on it.3. Starting from the short term goals, research the steps it will take to get to the shortest term goal on your list.
By this time you can see where having an idea of what you like to do can be handy, the idea of a list of goals is to have a centralized accountability system. If you think about it, writing a list of goals, in short and long term allocations is accountability in black and white. Are you going to argue with your plan for success? If you put your list in a location that you see often, it will keep you on track and responsible to yourself for taking those steps outlined.4. Start with your shortest term goal and work your way to the top.
Only you know the priorities in your life, don’t let anyone else dictate the path your life should take, your spouse is the only person that should have a significant effect on your future plans. Whatever those plans may be.
As much as I resent the idea of lists and accountability, I have to be accountable to myself for what I accomplish - or don’t accomplish in life. No one takes credit - or blame for how I turn out, that’s all on me. I want my family to be able to carry one without me without having to worry about finances.
Mind you this is only a guide or a starting point to how you can create some accountability for yourself, too often we let days, weeks and even years pass us by before we realize, or remember, that once we had goals and none of those have been accomplished. How sad to look back at life with regrets and should have done’s.
Success is relative term for happiness. If your idea of success is to not have to rely on the government for support and you’re doing that, congratulations. If your idea of success is to leave a legacy, you might have a lot of work to do, unless of course you’re already Bill Gates, or someone equally as famous.
Ultimately your success falls on your shoulders, so what are you going to do about it?
Don’t forget to register for new posts by email so you don’t miss anything! 
