Tweet

8 Steps to SUCCESS by Taking Charge of Your Life: Part 2 of 2

Guest post by: Kris Cavanaugh

Article Overview: In the following segment, we'll go through the final four steps that will help you "take off" in the right direction now that you've done your work in the "Pre-Flight Check." Make no mistake - if you are completely serious about taking charge of your life, and finding the success you're looking for, the tips presented in our series will put you on the right path.

8 Steps to SUCCESS by Taking Charge of Your Life: Part 2 of 2

Part 2 - All Engines "GO" In our previous article we discussed the first four steps in our two-part series on "8 Steps to SUCCESS by Taking Charge of Your Life." In the following segment, we'll go through the final four steps that will help you "take off" in the right direction now that you've done your work in the "Pre-Flight Check." Make no mistake - if you are completely serious about taking charge of your life, and finding the success you're looking for, the tips presented in our series will put you on the right path.

So, let's get started!

Step 5: Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Now that you have acquired clarity of vision and purpose, the next step to achieving success is to specifically define S.M.A.R.T. goals. The acronym ‘SMART' stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive. Identifying what you want and determining S.M.A.R.T. goals as benchmarks is another key to achieving success.

If you don't have a clear roadmap of where you're going, you're likely to end up anywhere BUT your intended destination!

Step 6: Defer, Delegate, or Delete

In addition to making your plan, you also need to develop a direction to your action plan. This will keep you motivated to keep going forward at all times. Although you may need some self-discipline to accomplish this, it is a vital aspect of any kind of achievement. Before beginning any new activity, examine it to see if it will help in moving you closer to the goals you have in mind. If it doesn't, you may need to put it aside for another time.

Deferring, delegating, or to deleting are the 3 D's taught by many personal and business coaches. If a certain activity can be put away for a later time, defer it. If that activity can be done by somebody else, delegate it. If it does not really need to be done at all, delete it. This kind of examination of each activity will help keep you focused on the things that are really important.

Step 7: Decide on the Course of Action

One of the first steps in the process of successfully taking control of your life is to make the decision to move from where you are now to where you want to be, personally and professionally. All of us know that nothing happens until that first decision is made. Acknowledging your decision is a basic step, but often one many people tend to overlook. So, decide you will move forward, put your decision in writing to keep it in focus, and then continue in a positive direction from there.

Step 8: Take Action

The first seven steps we covered were 1) deciding on a course of action, 2) having clarity of vision and purpose, 3) setting goals, 4) making plans, 5) staying focused, 6) being committed, and 7) creating self-belief. The eighth and final step is the catalyst to transforming your personal or professional life into whatever you want it to be. Absolutely nothing can be attained or achieved until action is taken. By putting your plan of action into motion, you will gain control over your own life and confidently headed down your road of success!

It's a wonderful feeling when you know you are becoming a successful "C.E.O. of Your Life" and are finally back in the driver's seat. Print out the 8 steps we covered and tape them to your bathroom mirror or your computer screen so you can review them daily as you journey forward towards the personal and professional results you're seeking in your life.

Related Articles
  Successful People Make Their Own Luck
  Taking Charge of Your Life
  Personal Responsibility, Self Confidence and Success
  Life Happens Through Small Steps
  You’re In Charge of Your Career
  Take Time To Celebrate Your Achievements In Your Computer Home Business
  Confusion - Time to Refocus
  Are you Positive or Negative
  Success or Failure Sequence
  Poor Credit But Still Need Business Finance? Are You a Homeowner? Consider a Charge Deal
  Is Taking Online Surveys A Legitimate Way To Earn Extra Income?
  Achieving Work Life Balance Doesnt Have to be Hard
  Smart Women Understand “Life is an Occasion”
  Consistency is Key
  If You Know What You Want Out Of Life, You Are Half Way There
  3 Practical Steps to Achieve Success
  What Fork Will You Take to Increase Sales?
  The Infinite Loop to Nowhere
  When Free Is Just Too Expensive
  Mentoring, An Essential Part Of Forex Success

Article Tags: goal achievement, self improvement, stuck to ceo, success principles



Related Forum Posts
The Second Life Platform - Greetings! I'm not sure how many of you have heard of or are sensitive to Second Life and its related entities. However, Second Life is a fantastic platform to mimmick real life business operations in a real currency based economy. There are plenty of successful stories for creative individuals, but I'd highly suggest doing your research and appreciating Second Life for what it is, and what it isn't.
Re: New Video - Should I Get A Job Or Start A Business? - Hi Evan, I was curious to know what you'd suggest and I think you gave excellent advice. Taking a year out to try and start your own business is a great idea. Taking a year out after college is a well established option so I guess it doesn't prejudice your chances of getting a job should you wish to do so later on; it probably improves your chances if you've been getting valuable experience of managing a business and of course, if all goes well, you won't need to find out. Definitely a video for my website. Thanks! David
Seminar attendance - I read through most of these posts and the first thought that popped into my head Andy already posted. Charge a fee to register, that will be refundable at the end of the seminar. This will ensure they show up and STAY for it.
Offer Credit instead - I'm not sure if ChrisH was referring to this but i'll state it more expicitly .. Charge upfront and offer a refund of double the value back in "Credit" towards your Product or Service you have for sale at the end of the event.
Re: The Second Life Platform - [quote="JBunion":fhe23fsu]Greetings! I'm not sure how many of you have heard of or are sensitive to Second Life and its related entities. However, Second Life is a fantastic platform to mimmick real life business operations in a real currency based economy. There are plenty of successful stories for creative individuals, but I'd highly suggest doing your research and appreciating Second Life for what it is, and what it isn't.[/quote:fhe23fsu] Hi JBunion, I've heard about the site. So are you currently a member? And more importantly, have you tried to open a store front in that virtual world?


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Coaching Tip: Identify Your Core Values

Five keys to business success

Why Small Businesses Don't Survive

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.