I have contributed to the success of major corporations, and run my own successful companies in the field of commercial and residential finance, software and new technologies, and employer solutions. I have successfully lead departments comprised of hundreds of team members. I have learned over the years that, success in business depends on the very same principles as does success in life.
In fact, business can be metaphorically likened to the microcosmic model of which life is the macrocosmic, outer manifestation. In other words, business is like a highly focused small scale unit of which life is a vast and open ended reflection on a much larger scale.
Here are the three top ways to succeed in business and in life. I have found that if you do nothing else but these three things, you will exponentially increase the effectiveness and overall enjoyment of your business growth and your growth and development in your personal life.
- Set Goals
If you think back upon the many achievements in your life, even as recently as the most current win, you will recall that it was the culmination of much and many efforts all directed by a single unifying goal or objective which you were able to hold firmly in mind.
This is the nature of the mind that once you impress, strongly and clearly enough, a prime objective or key goal, the universe seems to open opportunities and resources which will make it possible for you to apprehend and actualize that goal.
I believe that the RAS (reticular activating system) is the reason for this seemingly metaphysical response pattern wherein, you establish a goal firmly in mind, and then opportunity after opportunity seems to present themselves so that you can with rapidity and efficiency take all steps necessary to attain that very goal.
So, in short, set goals for yourself. Set large goals that may at firm seem unattainable, and then set smaller, stepping stone goals live pavers which will lead you toward the larger more important goals. Be sure to make the goals S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time specific).
- Activities Toward Attainment
As mentioned earlier in this writing, once you have set your goal[s], you must now take the steps toward attainment of the goal[s].
When I was a kid, a friend from church said he was questioning his faith in God. When I asked him why, he reported that, whenever he would pray, God would never answer him. Upon closer examination, I noticed that I had the exact opposite experience. Basically, what it came down to was the fact that when I prayed for something – like a new bike – I would then take the appropriate steps to gain the goal I had prayed for. I prayed for a bike, and then stumbled across a paper route for the local newspaper. Because the route required a bicycle, the manager bought me the bike of my dreams and deducted the cost out of the route he had me running for him. This was my first experience with goals and life and the understanding that, just as “God helps those who help themselves”, our goals are best attained through our efforts and actualizing them through exertion of well planned efforts.
Select a goal, and then reverse engineer what you must do every month, every week, ever day and even every hour of every day to attain that goal. Then, you will find it very helpful to pad that plan of action so that, if due to circumstances beyond your control, you should fall short, you will still hit your desired mark.
- Test and Measure
How can you know if your goal is big enough? How can you tell if the goals you are setting are getting accomplished in the first place? And if they are getting accomplished, are they happening at an efficient pace? This speaks to the need to test and measure all along the way.
As I hinted at, earlier in this writing, your goals should be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Specific). This is because; you cannot improve what you cannot measure.
When you set a goal, and keep it specific, you focus your mind and provide it with the clarity necessary to succeed. When you keep it measurable (charting timelines, accurate levels of activity versus attainment, return on investment, etc.), whether in business or in life, you can correctly track success and what leads to success, and you can avoid pitfalls.
When you select goals that are achievable, or a better way of saying it might be, when you take a realistic and achievable approach to your goals and goal setting, you amplify your enthusiasm by experiencing a greater number of wins.
Realistic refers to being honest with yourself about what you are setting out to accomplish and why. After all, if you are working toward something which your hyper-conscious mind knows is in your best interest, and is in alignment with your ethical and moral standards, you place yourself in greater harmony with your goals and their attainment, and in this you have already secured your success.
Time specific refers to a way of keeping yourself honest with yourself. If you set the goal to increase production by 30% by May 15th, then you can more easily track your success, than if you were to set the goal of merely increasing profits based on more efficient production. If you set the goal of losing 30 pounds by June 12th, you stand a greater chance of hitting that goal than leaving it open ended with something like a plan to lose weight “this summer”. The mind responds to positive, constructive commands, and the world around you will conform to what the mind holds strong as a goal.
The best suggestion I could think to offer anyone seeking to put my recommendation to the test would be to first begin keeping a journal. Write down everything in that journal: First: Top 10 Goals in order of priority. Next time you wake up, first steps in the morning, time and contents of breakfast, plan for day ahead, work day, time and contents of lunch, time leaving work, time and contents of dinner, account of the day and strategy to tomorrow.
Start blending into your journal entries thoughts and ideas about how to attain your top 10 goals, and activities to get from A. to Z. and a timeframe to do so.
Definitely include critical things which must get done every day, I call them the most important things (usually 5 in number), and then I cross them off as I accomplish them throughout the day.
Remember to include your wins, and to update your goals according to your attainment of them. And also, remember to include celebration of your wins and time for family and friends.
90 days of this sort of goal setting, time management, and self assessment, will create a more confident, happier you – and will accelerate the enjoyment you get out of the greater accomplishments you beginning to enjoy in your work and personal life.
I guarantee it.
James Chamberlain is a sales and business development professional who helps Tampa Bay businesses grow through dynamic strategic initiatives and campaigns and increase of new business revenue. James is responsible for building relationships with businesses throughout Florida and the US. Contact James at: 727.316.5997 james.chamberlain@consultant.com or http://www.twitter.com/JDC352
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