Achieving success in any endeavor requires vision, commitment, planning and follow through. Let’s focus on follow through, or what can also be called personal integrity.
Will you hold yourself accountable? Will you do what you say you will do? Most people do not and that is what separates the truly successful from the dreamers and schemers. One of the best methods I have found to help you hit your targets is to voice them out loud – let people know what you are going to do. That raises the stakes quite a bit. If you keep your plans and goals locked in your head no one knows if you stopped trying or missed your mark. BUT – if you announce to family, co-workers and friends you now have your integrity on the line. You told them you were going to do it. You’ll look pretty foolish if you stop trying after stating the plan out load.
You also benefit from telling others about your plans because you now have a cheering section. Your friends and family will want you to succeed (if they do not have your best interests in mind that’s a whole different issue to deal with). They naturally inquire as to what is going on and how you are progressing. This puts pressure (a good pressure) on you to keep moving forward and having something to tell/show them. You need to keep moving down the path you set out or you are going to feel a bit embarrassed.
When I decided to run my first marathon I told everyone I knew about it. I knew I needed the pressure to make sure I put in the miles and other training every day. I knew if I skipped day I would quite possibly skip another and then another (life has a way of getting in the way if you do not prioritize and stick to a plan). By announcing my plan I put my personal integrity on the line, I followed the training schedule and I completed the race five months later.
Let people know your BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). Establish your goals and get moving. Success does not happen without a little sweat and a little pressure. Set yourself up for a win by putting your integrity on the line. You never know what you can accomplish if you do not try, and you’ll find that you can accomplish quite a lot more than you think possible.
I started talking about Personal and Professional Development (PPD) with my employees and colleagues several years ago. This blog is a collection point for some of the basic information I have collected and developed, and for the further development of strategies for personal success. Dreaming about success will not make it happen. Taking action will. This blog is not a step by step guide to success, but rather a starting point for your own personal development journey.
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Great post. So, so true. I truly believe that dreams don't come to you, you have to go after your dreams. If you want success, you have to keep your eyes on the prize.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. I could not agree more.
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