Success is a science more than an "art." Hope, intuition,
luck or random chance may certainly play a role--who am I
to discount that possibility? But from my experience as a
coach and student of success, achievement usually results
from specific plans and focused effort.
The good news is that the skills of success are easily
mastered if--but only if--we are sufficiently motivated.
Every one of us has achieved extraordinary success over and
over again when we were sufficiently motivated to do so.
At some point, you learned to ride a bike, to date, to get
through school, or buy a home. Perhaps you've become a
pretty good poker player, a great cook or skilled musician.
Some of us have successfully organized a family vacation or
corporate outing. Many have mastered the intricacies of an
iPhone or learned a second language.
Each of us has a history of specific, methodical success.
We have achieved long lists of goals that were important to
us, and mostly, we did it on time and on budget.
And yet when it comes to our biggest and most important
goals, many of us remain stuck and frustrated.
We want to change our behavior, start a business, or go
back to school, but make little progress. From year to
year, our health and fitness levels remain frustratingly
the same. We say we want to up-grade our home, but never
hire a contractor. We want to earn more money or change the
quality of our lives, but find it frustrating and elusive.
What's going on?
The science of success says the likely culprits are an
inadequate plan, or weak desire. And (this is vital!)
desire always comes first.
Over time, we usually get what we expect and desire most in
life. If we long for stability or security, we make few
changes, settle for a familiar routine, cling to what we
know, and watch others pass us by. We wonder what's going
on, but the truth is, we always get what we desire above
all else. If you desire stability and a familiar routine,
that's what you'll likely get.
But that's very different than pursuing a desire for
adventure, excitement, unusual success, fame or wealth.
These things are not associated with a quiet, retiring
lifestyle and the avoidance of risk.
Success begins with a dream that becomes an all-consuming
desire. When you have a goal that consumes you, something
you think about and work for, something you read about and
talk about every single day, your ultimate success is
virtually assured.
But to speed up the process you'll also need a plan.
Whatever the goal, you'll want a plan that has a high
probability of success. Adequate plans include a list of
skills to be mastered, and mentors to teach us. Good plans
include a budget for time, effort, money and some "extra"
for any mistakes along the way.
Here is a story of a woman in Wisconsin. For most of
her life she's dreamed of becoming a science teacher. She's
attended a few workshops, listened to audio programs, and
even started a MasterMind group, "although it quickly
became a ladies chat group." And over the years, little has
changed.
She's spent time and money on a dream, but has no strategy
for success. She has no budget, and has not investigated
scholarships or aid programs. She isn't taking courses
even though there's a university only minutes from her
home. Her actions are unfocused and inadequate to
her goal.
No wonder it isn't happening for her!
luck or random chance may certainly play a role--who am I
to discount that possibility? But from my experience as a
coach and student of success, achievement usually results
from specific plans and focused effort.
The good news is that the skills of success are easily
mastered if--but only if--we are sufficiently motivated.
Every one of us has achieved extraordinary success over and
over again when we were sufficiently motivated to do so.
At some point, you learned to ride a bike, to date, to get
through school, or buy a home. Perhaps you've become a
pretty good poker player, a great cook or skilled musician.
Some of us have successfully organized a family vacation or
corporate outing. Many have mastered the intricacies of an
iPhone or learned a second language.
Each of us has a history of specific, methodical success.
We have achieved long lists of goals that were important to
us, and mostly, we did it on time and on budget.
And yet when it comes to our biggest and most important
goals, many of us remain stuck and frustrated.
We want to change our behavior, start a business, or go
back to school, but make little progress. From year to
year, our health and fitness levels remain frustratingly
the same. We say we want to up-grade our home, but never
hire a contractor. We want to earn more money or change the
quality of our lives, but find it frustrating and elusive.
What's going on?
The science of success says the likely culprits are an
inadequate plan, or weak desire. And (this is vital!)
desire always comes first.
Over time, we usually get what we expect and desire most in
life. If we long for stability or security, we make few
changes, settle for a familiar routine, cling to what we
know, and watch others pass us by. We wonder what's going
on, but the truth is, we always get what we desire above
all else. If you desire stability and a familiar routine,
that's what you'll likely get.
But that's very different than pursuing a desire for
adventure, excitement, unusual success, fame or wealth.
These things are not associated with a quiet, retiring
lifestyle and the avoidance of risk.
Success begins with a dream that becomes an all-consuming
desire. When you have a goal that consumes you, something
you think about and work for, something you read about and
talk about every single day, your ultimate success is
virtually assured.
But to speed up the process you'll also need a plan.
Whatever the goal, you'll want a plan that has a high
probability of success. Adequate plans include a list of
skills to be mastered, and mentors to teach us. Good plans
include a budget for time, effort, money and some "extra"
for any mistakes along the way.
Here is a story of a woman in Wisconsin. For most of
her life she's dreamed of becoming a science teacher. She's
attended a few workshops, listened to audio programs, and
even started a MasterMind group, "although it quickly
became a ladies chat group." And over the years, little has
changed.
She's spent time and money on a dream, but has no strategy
for success. She has no budget, and has not investigated
scholarships or aid programs. She isn't taking courses
even though there's a university only minutes from her
home. Her actions are unfocused and inadequate to
her goal.
No wonder it isn't happening for her!
Compare that to a guy named Michael Kheen, who knocked on
a door several years ago, introduced himself, and announced
he was going to build a series of McMansions on 27 acres
across the road. He pointed out where the roads would be.
He knew the number and size of the lots, how to get the
permits and the funding he needed. He had a plan! And, in
about 18 months, he pulled it off. I estimate he made about
3 million dollars on that project.
Success begins with a dream or a hunch that becomes an
obsession. Then, when passion and determination are paired
with a realistic, high-probability plan, your success is
assured. Successful people have plans, budgets, schedules
and benchmarks for every new project they take on. So
should you.
a door several years ago, introduced himself, and announced
he was going to build a series of McMansions on 27 acres
across the road. He pointed out where the roads would be.
He knew the number and size of the lots, how to get the
permits and the funding he needed. He had a plan! And, in
about 18 months, he pulled it off. I estimate he made about
3 million dollars on that project.
Success begins with a dream or a hunch that becomes an
obsession. Then, when passion and determination are paired
with a realistic, high-probability plan, your success is
assured. Successful people have plans, budgets, schedules
and benchmarks for every new project they take on. So
should you.
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