Success = Planning + Follow Through + Luck

[Michelle Pajak-Reynolds]

Success = Planning + Follow Through + Luck

Whether you choose to open your own business or work for someone else, success in either endeavor is determined by a combination of planning, follow through, and luck.

 

The accomplishments I’ve experienced over the past 13 years are possible because I had a solid plan, surrounded myself with others who could help me follow through on my plan, and a little bit of luck.  Below are a few of the steps I implemented that enabled me to realize my dreams and I know these tips can help you do the same.

 

Make an Appointment for Success

Make an appointment with yourself and plot your course for success.  Treat this meeting just as you would any other critical appointment by giving it your undivided attention and effort. Key questions to answer during this appointment are:

-What do you want? 

-When do you want it?

-How would your life change if you achieved your goal by your deadline?

 

Organize Your Dream into Manageable Steps

Once you know what you want and when you want it, break your big goal down into manageable monthly, weekly or daily steps.

-What are the key steps you need to achieve?

-Who can help you with these steps?

-How will the success of each step be measured?

 

Commit to Following Through

Once you have your plan in place, make a commitment to follow through on it.  Wake up everyday with three things you’re 100% going to do in order to achieve the big goals set out in your plan.  These tasks could be as simple or as complex as you want but all three should help you move one step, even if it’s a baby step, closer to your dream.

 

Keep an Open Mind

It’s easy to get tunnel vision when our noses are to the grindstone as we work through our plans, but it is important to keep one eye and ear open to what is going on around you.  Everything and every person you meet shows up for a reason and you never know what opportunities and lucky breaks might come your way.

 

Keep Getting Up

Set backs, wrong turns, and unexpected surprises are part of life.  The key to overcoming these obstacles is to keep getting up and “brush yourself off” no matter what happens.  This may require a slight revision of your plan and a different route towards your goal, but if you’re clear about what you want, when you want it, and how your life will be better as a result of your hard work then getting back up won’t be so difficult.

 

Thanks for reading,

Michelle 

[Alison B. Antelman]

Great points. I do believe to some degree, that you make your luck...as you point out up above under "keep an open mind" you never know what leads to an opportunity. It's important to be out there in the world, open, and moving forward.

[Valerie A. Heck]

This is a good way to look at your goals. I struggle with my confidence. I know I shouldn't but there is that one negative voice in my head that I have to tell to shut up. And then I continue with my goals.