Small Steps

Do you want to be successful, enjoying a happy and fulfilled life? I think it would be safe to answer 'yes' to this question. Perhaps you just want to live a modest comfortable life somewhere in the middle of classes. Perhaps you are just happy getting by, to follow the same daily routine, not creating any ripples. But if you choose not to create ripples, what do you get back in return? Probably not so much, right?

Perhaps we live this simplier way just because we do not know how to begin to go after our dreams. We often seek ways to shortcut directly to prosperity, only to fail with great discouragement to try again. Why bother in the first place?

But what is truly ironic is the fact that we already know how to succeed. We are all born with the basic need to survive right from the time we take our first small steps, when we begin to form the ability to make decisions based on a successful outcome.

The mothers and fathers of newborns witness as their babies begin to grow, eventally crawl and walk, small steps, slow but surely.

The lesson that we should learn is to simply take small steps towards achieving our goals. Think of these smaller steps as the achievement of a number of small, realistic and obtainable goals. When we reach each of these smaller goals we ultimately will successfully achieve the ultimate goal.

There is magic when we achieve each smaller goal. This magic is called confidence. Our confidence continues to grow with each success.

We develop a true since of accomplishment if we set a timeframe for ourselves as to when each goal should be achieved. Setting a timeframe sets our minds to 'drive'. Undefined or unrealistic timeframes creates discouragement when we do not succeed. We remain in Neutral.

Write down your goals. Then using as much creativity as you wish, write down all of the ways that you could achieve your goal. For example, in order to achieve a goal, you may need to obtain certain financial or material resources. You may need to take courses to learn something new or upgrade yourself. You may need to secure the help of others. You may need to develop a formal plan required to secure bank funding. You may need to obtain special licences.

After you have written down your goal. Read it to yourself. Let other people read it. Let your teacher or banker read it. Talk to people that have reached the same or similar goal. Listen to their suggestions. Thank your supporters; place value on their time and advice.

Welcome both negative and positive feedback.

Next, take a look at the list you have created on ways to accomplish this goal. Remove all of the unrealistic suggestions. What remains is your primary list of smaller steps or goals. You may need to break down some of these small steps into even smaller components. But this is a very good practice. You want your steps to be very small, very achievable, very doable.

As you achieve each smaller step, cross it off your list. Give yourself reasonable time to complete each step. Don't give yourself too much time. Just know that when you begin to achieve each of the smaller steps your confidence begins to grow... and so does your excitement! You are on your way!

It is very important to reward yourself for each small achievement. You will most certainly run into some snags. But this is normal. Learn from these situations, and continue.

Start Now.... Small Steps.