Each individual attaches a different meaning to success. If you have a dream, a purpose or a desire that you would like to achieve or fulfill, all you have to do is develop the right mental state and set a series of concrete goals. Stay focused and motivated along the way and if you make a mistake, quickly regain strength and resume moving towards the goal. With due time and effort, you may find that you have achieved what you call success.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Setting Goals
Step 1. Give a meaning to the term success
You can't be successful if you don't know how to define it as a condition. Each individual gives it a different meaning. Real triumph comes from realizing the resolutions that make you happier. Once they are made clear, you can determine which goals are most meaningful and important to you.
- Try writing down your definition of success. For some it means being able to earn a certain amount, being able to live in a certain place or knowing how to give the tasteful support to their families to see them happy. For others, it means having the money to travel, to enjoy retirement years or to maintain an active social life.
- If you are having a hard time putting your ideas in order, think about what are the things that make you happiest in life. For example, you may feel over the moon when you spend time with your family or when you travel or pursue your passions. What would you do if money wasn't an issue? Then try to identify what you need to achieve that kind of happiness.
Step 2. Determine what your main goal is
Identify what things you like to do and what are satisfying. Once you have established which activities you love the most, you can use this information to understand what purpose or goal you want to pursue in your life.
- Identifying what you love to do will help you stay motivated along the path to success. It is actually much easier to move towards a goal that makes you happy.
- Think about what you would like your life to be like in 5, 10 or 20 years. What can you do to make those dreams come true?
- If you can't determine what your life purpose or goal should be, consider getting help from a life coach or therapist.
- Remember that every goal should be quantifiable. For example, if you want to improve your job performance, set measurable benchmarks, such as "My goal is to increase my productivity by 30% and to be late no more than five times in a year."
Step 3. Break the main objective into multiple smaller objectives
Try to optimize your intentions and determine what needs to be done to achieve your main purpose. Having a clear outline of the steps to take to be able to fulfill your desire will make it less effort and you will not risk feeling discouraged halfway.
- Suppose, for example, that the goal of starting a new technology company seems unattainable to you. Break down the final goal by setting lots of small goals. You could start by dedicating yourself to writing a business plan and then look for investors, apply for financing and design future products.
- Make sure your goals are SMART. SMART stands for "Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant and Timed". Ask yourself if each of your goals meets these criteria.
Step 4. Set deadlines for achieving your goals
They must be limits that make you difficult, but still realistic. You need to make sure that you have enough time to complete each of the secondary tasks you have set for yourself. Appearing on a TV comedy show may take more than a year, but performing in front of a paying audience of at least 20 people is probably a goal you can accomplish within the next twelve months.
Set guidelines for even minor goals. For example, work hard to join a theater improvisation group by the end of the month or get on stage at an open mic show within three months
Step 5. Determine what resources you need to achieve your goals
You may need tools, lessons, money, or other resources that will help you make your wishes come true. You may need to acquire new skills and knowledge, such as public speaking, or you may need to form a team of workers and consultants.
- For example, to start your business, you may need to take out a bank loan. In this case, the first steps will be to select a banking institution and build a financial reputation.
- If you want to become a musician, chances are you will have to invest to get an instrument, a website, etc.
Part 2 of 4: Managing Time and Productivity
Step 1. Give yourself a pattern to follow
Create a to-do list every day. For long-term projects, set daily goals or tasks to complete to get closer to your goal. When an assignment is complete, cross it off the list to feel satisfied and motivated to continue. Having a pattern to follow will keep you organized even on days when you don't feel stimulated.
- Use a paper diary or mobile app to create a to-do list every day. Make sure each assignment has a well-defined deadline.
- If you tend to forget your schedule easily, set up reminders or sound alerts on your phone.
- Be realistic in determining how long it takes to complete an assignment. Add a little extra time to be able to cope with any unexpected events.
Step 2. Do your best to avoid distractions
Staying constantly focused on your goals is a far-fetched goal, but it's important to stay away from distractions while you go about your schedule to be productive. It's okay to take a break from time to time, but if your goals take a back seat to give way to distractions, it's time to push them away.
- Operate in a quiet place if possible. If your workspace is noisy, use a pair of ear muffs or earplugs to isolate yourself from distracting sounds.
- Ask friends and family not to bother you while you are focused on your work. Let him know that you need time to devote to yourself. If necessary, turn off your phone or lock it in a drawer while you are at work.
- Taking a 5-minute break every hour can help you regain focus. Walk, have a snack, or do some stretching exercises.
- Don't engage in too many activities at the same time. Being "multitasking" can negatively affect productivity. Try to fully focus on one task at a time.
Step 3. Learn to delegate your tasks whenever possible
Knowing how to delegate is an important skill that allows you to better manage the time at your disposal. Maybe you like to think you can always do it all by yourself, but superheroes have limits too. Delegating certain non-essential tasks allows you to have more time to devote to the core aspects of the job.
- If you're writing a novel, ask a friend or a text editor to reread it carefully. Instead of wanting to do it all by yourself, let someone correct it and offer you suggestions.
- If your business needs a website, rely on the skills of a professional. In this way you will not have to waste time studying how a site is designed and built and you will get an excellent result.
Step 4. Trust in the ability of others to do their jobs
It's hard to be successful if you don't trust the people around you. To be able to achieve your goals, you will likely need to build a team of capable individuals. If you are unable to trust them and let them do their job, you will hardly be able to make your dreams come true.
- Take several factors into consideration when deciding who to entrust a job to. Review requirements, past experience, references, or past degree of trustworthiness.
- Trust people because it is a feeling that can be a great stimulus. If you show someone that you have faith in their abilities, they will surely do their best not to disappoint you and to reward your esteem. Trust generates motivation.
- Trust people because you need them. Instead of trying to do everything yourself, delegate some tasks to others to take care of for you.
- Don't forget to trust yourself too.
Step 5. Find a mentor to guide you
A mentor is a person, generally more experienced than you, who knows the trade and is able to give you advice and help you pursue your goals. You can ask an entrepreneur, a professor, or an elderly friend or family member to guide you along the path to success. Mentors find satisfaction in knowing that other people have achieved their goals thanks to them. Your mentor can help you in:
- Create a network of relationships and relationships that lead you to success. What the Anglo-Saxons call "networking" is the art of achieving one's goals through a dense network of contacts. These relationships are mutually beneficial, you can make your experiences, opinions and opportunities available in exchange for those of others.
- Eliminate the problems. In the IT field, the term troubleshooting indicates a process that serves to identify and resolve errors or malfunctions as quickly as possible. Likewise, your mentor can help you identify problems, eliminate their causes, and refine your plans to get back productive quickly.
- Formulate the best strategy. The experience, the successes and the failures gained mean that the mentor has a broader and clearer vision of the future. You will be able to draw on his legacy of knowledge to formulate the best strategy for your future.
Step 6. Keep learning as much as possible
Never turn off the "learning switch", you never know when enlightenment will come. Keep listening to others, learning new skills, and studying new subjects. The new information can help you connect ideas that you can use to improve your life.
- Read books, watch documentaries or take online courses to expand your knowledge. Dedicate yourself to subjects that you find interesting and those that will teach you the skills you need for your future.
- Learn as much as possible about your branch, your passion, or your goal in order to be successful. Find out what people in the industry are doing to get the best results.
Step 7. Take calculated risks
Successful people think and act big. Don't wait for opportunities to come knocking on your door, get out of your comfort zone and go find them intentionally. Examine what your risks are and make sure the odds are in your favor, then jump into the fray.
- You may be a long-distance runner or a genius proposing solutions to the giants of modern technology, but in both cases you will feel stimulated by agreeing to measure yourself against your opponents. You will be able to share your resources with each other and you will feel motivated to work harder and build new relationships.
- Be a leader, not a follower. Arm yourself with courage to change your life for the better.
- Not all of your ideas will turn into successes, but you will still be able to make your plans come true. Look for opportunities that offer you the best chance of success, even if they don't lead to stardom or wealth.
Step 8. Look for problems to solve
Look around and try to think of possible solutions. What do people complain about? How can you help solve other people's problems and improve their lives? Can you create a product or provide a service to fill an obvious gap? Here is a list of problems you can detect by paying attention to common complaints:
- Social issues. Can you think of a new approach that allows you to iron out a social problem? For example, social media has reinvented the way individuals interact.
- Technological problems. Can you help people use technology to meet their needs? For example, tech companies have developed smaller, better performing computers to improve user experience.
- Strategic problems. Can you help someone solve a strategy problem? For example, consultants help companies and individuals become more productive, limit risk and earn more money.
- Interpersonal problems. Are you able to help others get along better? For example, psychologists and couple therapists help people better manage the complex web of interpersonal relationships.
Step 9. See technology as a tool, not a pastime
Tech devices can give you extremely powerful support, but they can also rob you of your energy and compromise your performance. Use them for productive purposes, without letting them lead you off course.
- Use an app or online diary to plan daily commitments, meetings and goals. Gradually check the tasks you have completed to increase your motivation.
- Many people get distracted by music while they work. If you don't like working in silence, listen to classical or soft jazz music that is less distracting.
- Talk to your boss and colleagues in person so you don't get flooded with emails. Organize your inbox so that spam and unimportant messages are moved to a different folder.
Part 3 of 4: Adopting the Right Attitude
Step 1. Visualize your success
The more you can imagine that moment in vivid colors and fine detail, the easier it will be to achieve your goal. When you fail at something or make a mistake, remind yourself that there are no obstacles that can stop you from achieving your dreams.
- Take a few minutes each day to imagine your success. Visualize yourself as if you were the star of a happy ending movie. What's your role in the plot? What does it feel like to be successful? Savor that feeling of triumph and use it as a stimulus to advance with even more energy.
- Create a vision board to express the meaning you attach to success through images. Use phrases, newspaper clippings, and photographs to fill your table. Hang it up where you can see it often, for example in the office or kitchen.
- Cultivate healthy motivation when you envision your success. People who were successful believed in their means and their plans.
Step 2. Always be curious
Generally those who achieve success are armed with an insatiable curiosity. When a curious person doesn't know the answer to a certain question or doesn't understand how something works, they go out of their way to find out. Curiosity often leads people to investigate themselves and take a journey in which the journey is as important as the destination.
- Ask questions in every situation you face. For example, ask your vet what makes a dog different from a human or chat with your neighbor to learn some gardening concepts.
- When you have new experiences, try to examine them carefully or do research to find out more. What lesson can you learn from the current situation?
- Talk to people about their experiences and successes. You may also learn something new about those you have known for a long time.
- Curiosity helps you find joy and wonder in anything. It can help you enjoy the journey of discovery rather than just working towards an end goal.
Step 3. Surround yourself with people who have been successful
A circle of positive and successful individuals can inspire you, instill courage and motivate you to give your all. You will have the opportunity to reflect on the ideas of others and to create further new constructive relationships. Successful people are able to increase the motivation of others and are willing to offer their support.
- Study the lives of famous people through books, articles and their biographies. Where possible, shape your approach based on theirs. Knowledge is as free as it is powerful.
- Examine the circle of people you know. Perhaps some of them have already achieved the success you aspire to. What did they do to achieve their goals? What kind of attitude do they have towards life? Get advice.
- Stay away from people who tend to dissuade and discourage you or who prevent you from achieving your goals. Don't let them get in your way on your path to success.
Step 4. Build on realistic expectations
In the business world it is imperative to have full self-confidence to achieve your goals, but false expectations are a major obstacle. Try to make realistic and reasonable forecasts, otherwise you will struggle to achieve your goals or overcome failures.
- Try to be flexible when formulating expectations for the future. For example, instead of predicting that you will surely be successful in your new job, you might be thinking "Well, maybe I will need some time to establish myself and anyway, if things don't work out, I can always look for a different job."
- Remember that there will always be variables that you cannot keep under control. However, you can always check your reactions when you are faced with difficulties. For example, if an unexpected expense occurs, you can tell yourself that it is only a temporary hitch.
- Pay attention to the feedback you receive. While criticism is sometimes difficult to manage, when it is constructive it can help you identify which areas you need to improve.
- Learn to accept that in some moments you may fail. It is impossible to achieve success without ever taking a misstep at some point along the way.
Part 4 of 4: Overcoming Failures
Step 1. Be persistent in the face of failure
You will make mistakes, it is a fact. Don't be afraid of failing at something, because life will give you many other opportunities. What defines you as a person is how you get up after failing. Don't give up, if your first attempt didn't work, don't give up and try again.
- Don't look for excuses. Don't rationalize your mistakes by blaming someone else or the circumstances. Be honest and take your responsibilities. By acknowledging your mistakes you will have the opportunity to understand what you need to change to get a different result.
- Learn from your mistakes. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something you didn't know until now. If after making a mistake you refuse to learn, it is very likely that sooner or later you will experience the same failure again. If, on the other hand, you accept that you have had an experience and assimilate the lesson, you will not waste any more time committing the same misstep again.
Step 2. Don't dwell on mistakes and failures
Accept that life is sometimes unfair, it is a fact. Rather than mulling over your wrongs, think about what you can do to make the world a better place. Also consider how you can use the situation in your favor.
- For example, if you are working in a toxic environment, take the initiative to open a dialogue with your colleagues and offer them your support. Bring back their past successes and encourage them if necessary.
- It can happen that unforeseen events come between you and your goals. For example, an injury could prevent you from running a marathon. If so, find another way to make your dreams come true or set new goals. A hypothesis could be to engage in a sport that causes less stress on the injured party, for example swimming, or you could formulate the goal of recovering perfect physical shape through physiotherapy.
Step 3. Pursue happiness in every area of life
Remember that being successful doesn't necessarily mean becoming happy. You will be able to achieve your goals, but it is not certain that at the same time you will find happiness. Instead of focusing only on the goal you want to achieve, make sure you live a balanced life while pursuing happiness in other areas of your daily life as well.
- Don't burn bridges along the way. Interpersonal relationships are the basis of life so don't neglect them. Do you think it is worthwhile to invent a cheap and efficient technology to achieve nuclear fission, but without being able to count on the affection and support of anyone?
- Value experiences more than objects. It is the experiences of life and not the money or objects you own that can guarantee lasting happiness. As you progress towards your goals, commit to storing good memories in the company of worthy people to create the foundation for your happiness.
Step 4. Think positive even when you fail at something
You will be surprised to find out how productive you can be when your thoughts guide your actions and not the other way around. If you make a mistake, don't be afraid to start over. Be happy that you have a new opportunity that could lead you to even greater success.
Advice
- Not everyone will want to support you as you pursue your goals. Some people are cynical, others insecure, be ready to face them and disregard their words. You will soon meet someone who is able to be happy for you and support you in everything you do.
- Success is not only achieved with willpower, perseverance and determination are also required. Doing something once doesn't make a big difference, it's when you act consistently that you can achieve success.
- Stay true to your definition of success. Try not to be swayed by what others think is right for you.
Warnings
- Don't worry too much about someone else's point of view. Stick to your plans to achieve your goals.
- Always be polite and respectful, remember that you don't have the right to step on others to be successful.
