Appreciating the Steps on the Way to Success

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Nothing worthwhile comes easily.” Stop for just a moment and think about it.

Consider times in your life when you’ve really struggled to reach a goal or do something that someone else said you couldn’t. Do you remember that feeling of accomplishment? My bet is that you remember it very well, but why? Most likely, you felt a sense of power, you were energized, and you felt a confidence boost.

Wouldn’t it be great to have those feelings not just once you’ve reached the ultimate goal but all along the way? The good news is that you can.

Let’s start with the steps it takes to set a goal and achieve success.

Identify Your Goal.

It can be short-term or long-term. It can be as simple as getting to school or work 10 minutes earlier, as challenging as making the Dean’s list at college, or as ambitious as opening your own business. The important thing is to be specific.

Write it Down.

Research shows that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them.

Set a deadline.

Without a deadline, it’s easy to put off getting started.

Calculate the Steps to Take in Order to Achieve Your Goal.

This will be a flexible list. You may start off with five steps to get there, but as you make your way this can change as you gain more information. Be flexible and keep your eyes on the prize.

Choose Your First Action.

The easiest way to build a habit of success is to conquer one step at a time. Choosing your first action will give you a feeling of success and propel you down the list.

Tell Others about Your Goals.

This is a great way to keep yourself accountable. It’s much more difficult to get off track if you know others are watching or asking about your progress.

Take Action.

Do something toward your goal every day. Not only will you reach your goals sooner than you may have expected, but taking action will give you a sense that you’re moving in the right direction.

Be Persistent and Don’t Give Up.

Celebrate Your Successes along the Way!

Allow yourself to accept some failed attempts or setbacks. Failures are an essential part of the process, so don’t be discouraged when things aren’t going as planned! Instead, use the tougher times as a way to help you appreciate when things are going well.

Repeat this to yourself: every step is a success. Every step is a success, even the letdowns. You found out something didn’t work well? Congratulations – you just got closer to your goal. Success breeds success, and if you choose to view each step as a success, your whole self will become addicted to the feeling it brings. Only allowing yourself that satisfaction after the very last step of a process will cripple your view of progress.

True success isn’t achieved quickly or easily, and you’re more likely to stay the course if you allow yourself to enjoy the entire process. Set a goal, take the first step, and cheer yourself for starting down a new, exciting path.