Article Presented by:
Bruce Elkin
Tony came to me because he was stuck. Nan came because she was drifting.
Both had potential and tried hard. But neither could pull the pieces together to create success. Each made progress, then fell back, stuck or drifting again.
Both spent too much time and money trying to figure out "how" to create success.
Sound like you? If so, perhaps you, too, ask the wrong questions.
To create success, start with WHAT and WHY. HOW is important, but comes later, when "what" and "why" are clear.
These seven questions have helped thousands jumpstart success, and keep it jumping. They can help you, too.
Question 1: What Makes You Come Most Fully Alive?
What excites you? What energizes you at a deep level? What truly matters?
Research on Harvard grads found those who organized their lives and work around passions were MUCH more likely to succeed (AND become millionaires) than those who focused on making $1,000,000.
So what do YOU love? What are you passionate about? Not sure? Try this.
Think about the best things you have done or imagined you could do. Write them down. Keep writing until you hit something that makes you shiver with emotion.
Do not worry if it is possible, realistic, or possible. (We look at reality in # 3.)
And do not confuse "lust" with "love." Most people do not love money; they love what they can do or create with money. Write about that.
Keep writing until you hit something that makes you feel like crying for joy.
Identifying your true passion opens a huge source of power. It is a major step toward creating success.
Question 2: What Do You Want To Create? What Would It Look Like?
Next, focus passion into specific results.
If your passion is food, focus on becoming a chef, opening a gourmet shop, or writing a best selling book about organic hot dogs.
Tony was passionate about skiing, but could not see how to build a "respectable" career around it. Because he had a flare for design, his father pushed him toward architecture, but that felt "too mainstream."
With help, Tony combined his skiing passion with his design talent. He became a successful ski area designer. He made great money, skied 5 days a week, and felt deeply fulfilled. Even his father was impressed!
A writer might envision, "My recipe book about organic hot dogs is #1 on the Amazon, Times, and Oprah bestseller lists."
Making vision clear and compelling translates passion into power.
Question 3: What Is The Current State Of Your Result?
Ever asked directions when you did not know where you were? Not easy, is it?
To turn vision into a successful result, you need to know where you are and what you have: strengths, assets, experience, contacts, etc.
The key is to "describe" reality, not "judge" it.
If you, like Nan, know a lot about organic hot dogs, but have no experience writing, do not judge "I cannot write a word." Describe: "I cannot write well, yet."
Reality is your ally, not enemy. So be honest--objective--about it.
To ensure a statement is objective, ask, "Is this true? Absolutely true?" If it is not true, it is a judgment.
Nan also told me, "I have no skills." But, when we applied the test questions, she agreed that was untrue. When we listed her skills, she was shocked at how many she had.
Current Reality includes problems or obstacles, as well as fears, doubts, and uncertainties. Acknowledge these, but do not dwell on them. Focus instead on what you want, what works, and what is already in place.
Focusing on what you want and what you already have energizes you. It makes you feel optimistic. It builds momentum and moves you toward your dream.
Question 4: What Are Your "Next Steps"?
When you hold a compelling vision in mind with a clear description of reality, a gap appears between them.
Accept that gap. Use the energy that arises out of. Build a bridge across that gap with two kinds of actions-strategies and tactics.
Strategies are large, often general actions such as "develop a marketing plan," or "design promotional materials." They include sub-results ("a draft marketing plan, rough promo materials) that, when added together, lead to larger results.
But, you do not do strategies; you do tactics that support strategies.
Question 5: How Do I Get To Small, Doable Actions?
Once your strategic steps are roughed out, ask, "What smaller steps support this large step?"
Tactics are small steps such as, "research market," "clarify offerings," and "develop a hook." Taken together, they yield "a marketing plan."
Starting with the smallest, easiest steps builds a pattern of successes. This gives you confidence and momentum, which helps you take larger steps. Success leads to success.
You do not need to know all your steps, just your most promising next 2 or 3 steps. Taking them changes current reality. New steps become obvious. Take them, note results, and ask again, "What are my next steps?"
This plan-as-you-go process honours vision and reality. It integrates rationality and intuition. It taps your natural creativity.
There is no failure, only feedback. Your actions teach you what to do next. You make up your path as you go.
Question 6: What About Setbacks, Problems, And Adversity?
Martin Seligman showed that successful people in all areas are those who deal best with adversity. They turn obstacles into opportunity. How?
First, they see adversity as temporary. "This too will pass," they say. They accept problems as part of reality, and move on by focusing on desired results.
They take ownership for results they want, regardless of what happens, or who is to blame. Blame is for losers. Ownership is key to success.
Third, successful people see adversity as limited to specific situations. They do not let it, or feelings about it bleed over into other areas of life and work.
Finally, they focus on what they can control, and take appropriate action. As an old saying goes, "We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust our sails."
By accepting adversity and focusing on results, successes use setbacks as "creative moments". They re-establish the vision-reality gap, learn from the situation, and take action toward results. And it pays off!
Question 7: How Do I Know I'm Done?
A clear vision includes success criteria. Our writer who wanted to be on the bestseller lists will know he has succeeded when he achieves those goals.
Some people set financial criteria. Some set quality criteria. Others set both. For many it is just a deep sense that, "this is it--reality matches my vision.
Celebrate success and use the energy of completion to start on your next creation. Keep the energy flowing.
These 7 questions helped Tony and Nan jumpstart success and keep it jumping. They can help you, too. Of course, the key is to ask them, and keep asking them. Start small, stick with it, and remember-success leads to success.
About the Author:
Bruce Elkin is a writer and internationally acclaimed Personal/Professional Success Coach. Get his eNewsletter at http://www.bruceelkin.com/free.html Visit www.BruceElkin.com and http://createwhatmattersmost.blogspot.com
