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4 Steps to a Successful New Life

Written by: Anne Bachrach

Article Overview: It’s time to turn the page and accept this as Chapter Two in your life! If you want to make a change and start living a higher quality of life, then you must take decisive action. Success is whatever you make it. Never believe that you are destined for failure while others are just “lucky” in all their endeavors. Everyone has control over his or her destiny. Some people are unwilling to go the distance to achieve their dreams. What is success? Is success the same thing as money, fame, or power? Is it influence over other people? Is it being the best parent possible? Or is success really what you leave behind in this world when your legacy ends?

4 Steps to a Successful New Life

What is the key to success? Before you answer this question, you have to first consider what success means to you. Step 1: What does Success Mean to YOU?

The definition of success depends entirely upon you. Success doesn't have a definition in exact parameters; rather it is defined as "an event that accomplishes its intended purpose". That intended purpose belongs to you. Many people are unsure of what they want or what success means to them. They may define success the way that famous people describe their lifestyle. You've heard that Donald Trump is rich and so you may assume that he is the embodiment of success. You've seen your favorite movie stars perform and the wild adulation of their fans, and so might assume that scenario is successful living. This is not true! In this case, you are visualizing success based on the activities of other people, not your own. You have to first determine what you want out of life and what makes you feel complete. Success is nothing, unless you define it for yourself.

Step 2: Focus on a Broad Goal, then Create Simpler Goals

You decide what success is and how you will achieve it. This is the vision that you set for yourself. Start by focusing on a future image. How do you see yourself? Are you actively involved in a career? Are you a family person, or just filthy rich? This is your broad goal, your long-term vision - your primary direction. This is something that you want and that you are willing to work hard to achieve.

Now that you have decided on a long-term destination, it's time to create a "path" to this destination made up of short-term goals. Make "SMART" goals instead of entertaining vague fantasies. Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timed. Don't worry about making your goals too easy at first. Simple goals develop your confidence and will help you tackle the harder ones. After you create your set of goals attach a specific time frame to each one. This helps in motivating you to get started because you now have a specific date you ideally want to achieve each one.

Step 3: Take Action!

Now you must take decisive action. Have a sense of responsibility for your list of goals. Resist putting the blame on anyone else, including "this cruel world" that makes dreams impossible. It may help to say your goals out loud, "affirming" your resolve to carry them out. Some procrastinators have broken their habit of putting things off by rewarding themselves for every step achieved. Other people have enlisted the help of a friend to act as a source of positive peer pressure. Some people hire a coach to help them stay focused on the activities required to achieve their goals. When you have to report your progress or lack thereof to someone, you have a higher probability to do the work required for goal achievement.

You must be committed to this task and take seriously the steps you laid out for yourself. Try and think of these commitments, not as personal wishes, but as unbreakable plans that you have made with someone else (the future you). You would be disappointed if you didn't follow through with your plans.

Step 4: Know the Importance of Persistence and Belief

Persistence is another important principle to keep in mind, as you will need to cultivate this quality when the going gets tough. Persistence is slightly different from commitment. Persistence is known as "continuing or repeating behavior." Persistence helps you keep progressing in life, even when obstacles arise and even when you are at your lowest. Can you learn persistence? Is it a learnable quality or is it a genetic gift?

Persistence is closely linked with belief. When you believe in something, or are passionate about something, you are willing to fight for that belief. You talk enthusiastically to others about this belief. You will travel across the world for this belief. You may even be willing to die for this belief. This confidence is what allows you to stay persistent even in the worst of times. Continue to pursue positive influences in your life, like supporters who say you can do it! Meanwhile, avoid sources of negativity rob you of these positive feelings.

Adhering to these principles will make you even more successful. You can believe that because, again, you determine your success.

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Article Tags: belief, decisive action, definition of success, persistence, quality of life, setting goals, SMART goals, success



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