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How To Be Successful

November 9, 2011

I’ve been struggling a lot lately with enjoying the process of things. I get so stressed out about all the things that we want to do, all the dreams and goals we have, and so often just all the stuff that needs to be done.

If it’s true that success is the progressive realization of a worthwhile goal, then it would be better if I learned to enjoy the process. Plus, I wouldn’t be so stressed all the time!

How to be successful:

1.  Set goals – long range goals

If you don’t have a target that your aiming at, you’re never going to be able to hit it. You’ll simply be reactive going to and fro wherever life might take you. Also, the difference between those that are truly successful and those that aren’t is how long-range their goals are. The addict thinks hour to hour, the successful entrepreneur thinks at least 3 -5 years out.

 2.  Implement

Work backwards and plan out the steps that are going to get you there. For example, if you want to be earning a little extra income on the side in 3 months, what do you need to do this week to get you there?

3.  Acknowledge the little things

Give yourself credit for the progress you’re making! It SO much easier to point out the negative aspects. “I still don’t have any strong leads for my side project.” “I haven’t added (fill in the blank) to my website yet.” It would be better to acknowledge the things that you have already been able to accomplish. Doing the little things everyday and every week will get you to where you want to go. Just remind yourself that you’re making progress.

Acknowledging the little things and remembering that you WILL reach your goal if you just keep at it helps with the stress and helps you enjoy the process.

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  • Anonymous November 9, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    I like how you differentiated the “addict” and the “entrepreneur.” It is really easy to get sucked into all the little things that need to be accomplished: dinner, clean up, rest, etc. and to forget about coming up with longer range goals. Ironically, I posted a similar post on my blog a few weeks ago and now need to implement the idea of getting my goals/ideas written down in one place.

    Josh and I are going to paint one of our kitchen walls with Tabrasa Idea Paint ( https://www.mdcwall.com/tabrasa/order.aspx ) so we can get some of our ideas into a place we see everyday!

    • Michael Good November 9, 2011 at 9:24 pm

      Alana, thanks for your thoughts. I checked out the link to the Idea Paint. Very cool! We covered this big piece of pegboard with paper and hung it on our kitchen wall. We got the idea from Josh Gordon and we’re loving it! Planning on putting fresh paper on it at the beginning of each month.

      I too get SO bogged down with all the stuff that “needs” to be done. What’s the link to that post? I’d love to check it out.

      • Anonymous November 9, 2011 at 10:52 pm

        Oooh, I like your idea of changing out the paper each month!

        This is the post I wrote about setting goals: http://alanamokma.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/how-to-get-what-you-want-tip-1/

        • Michael Good November 12, 2011 at 12:35 am

          Alana, thanks for sharing. Great post! I too love our vision board. We have that in our bedroom and then our thinking wall in our kitchen. This is what we change the paper on each month.

          • Anonymous November 12, 2011 at 9:25 am

            What kind of paper do you use? Could you post a photo? I’m curious! We will be using the marker board paint, but may use the paper idea in another area of the house.

          • Michael Good November 13, 2011 at 12:09 am

            Alana, we used a white roll of paper from AC Moore. I’ll put a picture on our Facebook page.

          • Anonymous November 13, 2011 at 6:23 pm

            cool. thanks!

  • Ryan Ash November 10, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    Great thoughts, Michael! It’s so easy to beat ourselves up over what doesn’t get done vs. how far we’ve come. Great reminder!

    • Michael Good November 11, 2011 at 11:59 pm

      Ryan, trust me. I’m quite good at it.

  • Katie Everett November 11, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    addicts think hour to hour? oh my, that is me.

    • Michael Good November 11, 2011 at 11:34 pm

      Hey Katie! I get stuck in this mode sometimes too. And when you’re not used to it, it’s SO hard to think of your long range goals!