As you read the word SUCCESS, what comes to mind? MONEY, FAME, STATUS? Probably yes. It is normal for you to associate those terms with this word, because we have been led to believe that to be successful we must have a university degree, work in a large company with a very good salary, and, if you want to be even more successful, you must own great properties, having millions in your bank account, and being a celebrity.
What have we accomplished with all this? Stay paralyzed, stagnant and away from our true dreams! It is unfortunate to say it, but that is why there are so many unhappy people in the world. They are so because they cannot fit in a place where they are required to be something they do not want, or they become frustrated and martyred overwhelmed by the idea that what they want is wrong or they do not deserve to achieve it.
So today my purpose is to help you recognize what the true meaning of success is for you, and what mistakes you should avoid to achieve it:
1.- Not knowing what success means to you, what you want it for and what is your purpose
For the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, SUCCESS is:
- Happy result of a business, performance, etc. Good acceptance that someone or something has. End or termination of a business or matter.
It does not claim to have x amount in your bank account, nor x amount of university degrees. So, on your own terms: what does SUCCESS mean to you? You need to answer this question, so that you can move forward with confidence and clarity, because only in this way will you ensure that nobody ever puts their wishes before yours.
What do you want it for? What is your purpose?
If you are not clear why you want what you want, it will be more difficult for you to stay firm when things do not seem to be going well, because you will feel that you are wasting your time, and you will want to give up. On the other hand, if you have defined your purpose, you will stay focused and motivated, and you will act in spite of the obstacles that come your way.
2.- Not having a plan that helps you get what you want
A plan helps you trace the route or map that will take you to what you want. And for this it is necessary to define what those detailed actions will be that will bring you closer to your goals: how you will do it, when, where, who can help you, what resources you have. With all this clear, you can already start taking your first steps and validate your progress.
3.- Let yourself be carried away by impatience and perfection
If you wait for everything to be perfect, you will never act, because things are done on the go. You will never know what you need to improve until you start doing what you want. If the first time everything didn't go well, it doesn't matter; the next you will do better, because now you already know what you need to improve.
Impatience is another habit that doesn't help you, because you get desperate if you don't see your results right away, and you could fail on the first try. You need to be patient, no matter how long it takes; If your desire is so great, whatever happens you will achieve. The important thing is that you keep moving, that you act.
4.-Do not recognize or celebrate your achievements, stop living in the present
However small it may be, you must celebrate it, recognize that you did it. Until yesterday you only lived thinking about that which one day you wanted and you had not done anything; Today you already got moving, you took action, and you already have a small result. Celebrate it! That is a sign that you are getting closer to the goal!
Learn to live in the present. If you become obsessed with the result and stop living in the present, your journey will be longer, and when you have achieved your purpose you will not be able to enjoy it. You need to stay focused on that purpose, but it's also important that you enjoy the process while living in the present.
Now that you know what success means to you, what your purpose is, and what you should not do, what will be the first steps you will take to achieve it?
