6 Steps for Epic Success in 2017

Our results are only as good as our plan.

When you take on a particular project, you meet with your team to strategize. Formulating the steps and methods you need to follow to realize your intended goal keeps your “eyes on the prize,” and having a roadmap to keep you in check along the way helps steer the course.

Success in life works the same way. To create and live the life you desire, you need to take the time to develop a plan. According to the late motivational speaker, author, and entrepreneur, Jim Rohn, the difference between success and failure is subtle. Rohn, defines failure as “a few judgment errors repeated every day” and goes on to give the example of the man who decides not walking around the block didn’t kill him, so it must be ok. After years of not walking around the block, he is out of breath and unhealthy. His error in judgment cost him.

On the flip side of the coin, Rohn defines success as “a few simple disciplines practiced every day.” Had that same man committed to walking around the block each day, he would’ve become healthier, instead of panting on his way from his car to the office. These small disciplines, or habits, when put into a plan for success, keep you on your intended path. Just as in business, strategy and growth go hand in hand. Having a well-developed plan to achieve any type of success is necessary. Here are six steps to help you achieve EPIC SUCCESS in 2017!

Develop Your Personal Plan

There is no particular template to help you develop the plan that’s right for you. For some of us, the devil is in the details, and we need to dot every “i” and cross every “t,” while others of us get lost in details and prefer a less elaborate plan. Create the plan that works best for you.

Remember, however, that for some who are easily distracted, the less detailed plan may appeal, but to stay on task, you may actually need the details. You must have a plan, and an outline of your goals need to be in that plan, in order to stay motivated and to move forward.

Know yourself and don’t plan too far out of your comfort zone. For instance, if you are less-than-disciplined already, planning to spend a few hours each day reading, reflecting, and journaling probably isn’t the best idea. You may be setting yourself up to feel discouraged and unmotivated, and feel as though following your plan is just too big a challenge. Be realistic about yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses and create your plan accordingly. Bottom line make a plan and work the plan. What’s not written down doesn’t happen.

Establish Times to Devote to Your Plan

Set and honor the time you want to spend on your plan and again, be realistic, but committed. You might spend some time each day listening to podcasts in your car, or on your daily walk, or you may spend one day a week completely devoted to your plan. Whatever time you choose, set it in stone and do it. In your plan, create bullet points that you’re able to meet each week. Make them specific and achievable. Not only are you setting your goals toward success, but you’re becoming more disciplined by taking steps each day, without fail, to move you closer to your goal.

Journal Your Way Toward Success

Record your thoughts, inspirations, ideas, and information in one place. Don’t rely on your memory. We’ve all experienced waking from a dream, or having a truly life-changing idea at 4:00 am, not writing it down and by the time your alarm goes off the thought is lost. We have several thoughts, ideas, and inspirations throughout our day. They may not be the epiphany or “aha!” type ideas, but enough to reflect on later, when there’s more time.

Keep a record of these thoughts and inspirations by having your journal with you. It can be as lavish as a leather bound, monogrammed book or as simple as a spiral notebook. Take notes on those ideas which make an impression. Use the time you have to reflect on your dreams and ambitions. Use your written word to form your goals, review what impacts and affects change in your life, for the better. Learn what you value deep inside.

Pause and Reflect

Make time to be alone with your thoughts and reflect on that which you’ve learned and done every day. How did you spend your day? Rohn calls this “running the tapes again” and just like a team’s game tapes; you can use these moments to lock in and review. Who made an impact? Where did you go? What kinds of things did you do? How would you change your day to realize your plan for success? Reflection is a powerful tool.

In addition to your daily reflection, make time weekly to review your past seven days. How can you apply what you’ve learned? Where are you on your journey toward success? Monthly reflection is valuable in affecting change as you can see how far you’ve come. And hosting your very own “Year in Review,” audience of one (you) can be a strong motivator. You’ll see how valuable the past can be, and how you can use it to shape your future.

Set Your Goals

Obviously, you’ll need to create concrete goals, so you know exactly where you want to be at any given time on your road to success. It may sound simple enough, but learning how to set goals can be life-changing. Goals can help define your view of your future. Goals help us keep focused. Or, as Napoleon Hill put it,

Setting goals keeps you moving in the right direction, toward achievement. Break big goals into smaller attainable goals, and you will continue to stay motivated, driven by your successful attainment of those goals. Creating a plan must involve concrete, specific goals, no matter how intricately precise they are.

Act

In order to succeed and achieve your goals, you must act. There’s a famous Zig Ziglar quote “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”, that sums up the path to success. Although a bit simplified, the quote states the obvious; once you have an action plan, you must take action.

The best time to begin is when your emotions are high. Any delay will prove the Law of Diminished Intent. You intend to act on the idea as it strikes, but if you don’t move quickly, your intention will start to diminish. In a few days, it doesn’t seem as urgent, and a week goes by, and you still plan to ‘get around to it.’ After too much time, the intent is long gone, and your opportunity has fled along with it.

Discipline yourself to act when your idea is strong, clear and emotionally compelling. Acting on, and achieving this goal will help you see the value of discipline. Beginning your plan for personal development takes action. Just do it! As Rohn puts it “the miracle process of personal development transforms our very nature and our lives.”