Charting Your Course For Success

Alice came to a fork in the road. "Which road do I take?" she asked. "Where do you want to go?" responded the Cheshire cat. "I don't know," Alice answered. "Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter." --- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

The key to any successful journey begins in knowing where you want to go. The truth is that most of us plan our vacations better than our life journey. No wonder many of us fail in our reaching our dreams!

The difference between having just a daydream and making it a reality are your actions. Actions speak much louder than words. It has been your small daily steps that has led you to where you are. They will also determine your future.

So, let’s talk about getting there!

Start writing your life goals. How do you want your life to be? What would you like to be different? Think about different areas in your life such as:

1. Career - Eeducational skills you want to gain
2. Financial - Where do you want to be in 5 years? In 10?
3. Artistic - Any skills you want to learn or enhance?
4. Religious - Are your beliefs important to you? If so, do you want to change anything?
5. Personal - Lose weight, live healthier? Change certain habits?
6. Personal - Family goals, more time needed? Etc.?
7. Character- Any attitude behavior, emotional changes I want to make.

It may be helpful to make a timetable. Where do you want to be in 1 year? 5 years? in 10?
By writing it down, you have created a picture in your mind of exactly where you want to go, and who you want to be when you get there! It will become much easier for you to see which steps will lead you where you want to go, and which are merely distractions. This will definitely help you stay on course.

Now, go back to - This year I want to.... and start working on each step you will need to take. Break it down into monthly steps, and then into weekly ones.

When you get to weekly steps, write them into your list of things to do every day. You have just created your own stepping stones to success!

Review your progress weekly, and make course alterations as necessary. Remember all is not engraved in stone. You may find that you will need additional steps, or vary in a slightly different direction than you first thought. This is part of the excitement of the journey.

Some thoughts about writing goals:

1. Remember that you are human and you cannot have, or do everything. And especially not all at once! No one can be a perfect mother, business tycoon, and symphony artist at once! If you try to run in all directions you will fail in all. Even when breaking bad habits, it is extremely difficult to change everything in your life, so choose your priorities.

2. Make sure that your goals are not at odds with your values. For example, if you value freedom, and one of your goals involves working 16 hour days in an office, you will not be happy with your choice, even if you succeed at being CEO of the company. Take a good look at what you really want and choose appropriately.

3. Create small distinct, measurable steps that will help you achieve your goals. One example of this is: By this date I will...it can be take a class, talk to the small business administration, buying an instrument, etc. Just set a date for it. This way you will know that you have accomplished it! Write all your steps this way.

4. Don't set impossible timetables or you will become discouraged. By the same token don't make it so far away that you don't even start! Moderation in everything, but make it something that you can achieve and celebrate. Don't concentrate on only one final goal but enjoy your small victories. Life is made up of all the little things. Don't miss out on it!

5. Don't worry about the outcome. You can't control that. You can only control your actions, so concentrate doing the very best you can do.

Have fun, and good luck!

Author: Cindy Oliver
Copyright, 2005

Cindy is the owner of http://www.GlassAffinity.com She make handmade glass beads, and aromatherapy vessels. She lives in Mexico, and volunteered in ministry for three years. She helped start a Mexican Corporation for this ministry, which serves the Oaxacan Indians.She is now a stay at home mom, and has homeschooled her 9 year old son for the last 2 1/2 years. In her previous life she worked as an R.N. in Cardiology for 13 years.


"Assisting People To Success - One Heart At A Time!" (SM)

Lou Everett, Sr., NWMC

NOTE: If you would like a FREE coaching session, please send me an e-mail at: LouEverettSr@yahoo.com, with the word "Coaching" in the Subject, and your full name and phone number in the Body. Thanks!

Copyright 2005 by Lou Everett, Sr. All Rights Reserved