Goal Setting For Success

Five Must-Haves to Be Successful in Achieving a Goal

Jan 11, 2010
Kelly Wallace

Goal Setting - Dreamstime

Whether starting a business, going back to school, being a parent, artist, singer or anything else, there are five things that all truly successful people have in common.

People dream of having more, doing more and being more, yet how to do it often eludes them. They can’t believe that the road to success truly is simple, though may not always be easy. It doesn’t take a massive amount of time, intelligence or cash. What it does take is patience, determination, and the following success strategies.

You Have to Love What You’re Doing

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to be successful in life is only going where the money is. They hear stories or read articles about people who have made it big in real estate, public speaking, writing, singing, the list goes on. But you have to ask yourself if it’s something you feel passionate about.

Is it something you love doing or would love to do, and can imagine doing it day in and day out for the next 20 years? Many people become huge successes because they enjoy what they do. If they did it just because they thought it would bring in buckets of money, they’d most likely fail. Passion is everything when it comes to success.

You Have To Be Different

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but you need to be different. Just because someone is selling purple widgets for a thousand dollars a piece and raking in the money doesn’t mean that you can or should do the exact same thing. Think of something you’d love to do, find out who’s making a lot of money doing it, then put your own spin on the product or service. It may take some trial and error to develop your own niche, but in the end you’ll have something that’s uniquely you.

You Have To Do It Ten Times Bigger and Better

Thinking small is another hurdle people face on the road to success. Whether they’re afraid to take risks or find it hard to think outside of the box, when trying to make it big in life you need to think that way: Big! This is time to stretch the imagination and dream. Whatever it is you’re trying to do or be or sell, ask yourself how you can do it ten times bigger and better. Even if it seems outrageous or impossible, it will help you to realize that there is no success in mediocrity and you may come up with some fantastic ideas.

You Have To Be Generous

Every truly successful person in life also possesses a generous heart. They volunteer time or money, mentor others, and give back to their community. The Bible states that you reap what you sow, and Pagans believe in the threefold law – what you give out, you receive back three times stronger. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to be the best salesperson, entrepreneur, or parent, the bottom line is; the more you give the more you get.

You Have To Keep Learning

Nobody knows it all. Just when someone feels they’ve reached the top, something new comes along; new information, new techniques, or new opportunities. This keeps life interesting and refreshing, and it keeps you on top of your game. Those who get comfortable in their niche and stay there end up wearing themselves into a groove so deep that they grow bored or stop growing altogether. Always learn new things in your field, take classes, read books, attend seminars or teleseminars, and talk with others who you admire and feel are successful.

Making it big in life doesn’t have to be difficult; it simply takes time, patience and determination. Love what you do, dream big dreams, and follow them. Consider the path to success a journey, not a destination.