by Kathy Gates
Haven’t you often wondered why some people are able to transform
their lives and move from one success to another, while other people’s lives
never seem to change?
Studies show that the difference is not intelligence, education,
or family background. And we all seem to know people who have tremendous
advantages and throw them away, and others who start with nothing and then go on
to achieve great things.
So what is it? Here’s the secret: People who are successful at
getting what they want out of life-- big or small-- are able to hold two very
different images in their minds at the same time.
They are able to clearly see a long-term goal that is important
and exciting to them (aka "the pull").
And based on that picture, they focus on the daily steps and
tasks that are immediately in front of them.
Benjamin Franklin said, "Motivation is when your dreams put on
work clothes". Without putting "work clothes" on your dreams, they just stay a
nice thought, a wish.
To achieve great things, you must be able to have a long term
perspective and a short term focus. That combination can be found in a success
formula that is common in Life Coaching: SUCCESS = DESIRE + DECISIONS +
DEDICATION.
Putting work clothes on your dreams includes:
* Identify your goal clearly and specifically -- DESIRE *Assign
a time frame for achieving it -- DECISIONS * Measure your progress regularly and
record your progress -- DEDICATION
Let’s look at those a little closer.
First of all, think about kids who want to drive, or when they
want to go on a ski trip with their friends. They don’t stop trying, begging,
working, learning, planning, pursuing, arguing, even demanding until they get
it. That’s incredible DESIRE.
What is your heart’s desire?
Second, people who are successful at getting what they want are
also willing to make tough decisions. They commit their time, resources, and
energy. They learn new methods, and apply what they learn.
Consider the Olympic athletes who make a clear decision, and
then work tirelessly on making it happen. They willingly decide to postpone
sleep, give up time with friends and family, hold off on vacations or
relationships.
In contrast, how often do you just hope and wish and wonder -
and maybe even plan -- but never really DECIDE to make it happen? Put some work
clothes on your dreams by deciding that you’ll do whatever it takes to make it
happen.
Finally, people who are successful in getting what they want in
the long term are completely focused on the short-term actions. They are totally
committed to today, the present. They are reading books, practicing, trying,
adapting, always ready to take the next step. They practice daily DEDICATION,
moving one step at a time toward their goal.
The power comes from the actions you are willing to take. Put
some work clothes on your dreams by taking daily actions that lead you toward
the life that you want to live.
The key to your future is a long term perspective, combined with
a dedicated, short term focus on ACTION! Put some work clothes on your dreams by
writing your own Success Formula. Get started today!
Kathy Gates is a Professional Life Coach in Scottsdale Arizona. What is Life
Coaching? I help people
become better satisfied with their lives by making some changes, or pursuing a
goal. Visit www.reallifecoach.com
for information, products and services and sign up for her free newsletter.