A Plan for Success

​Thinking and acting in a positive manner becomes part of training yourself to feel and believe you are positive in your approach to things, and that you are going to be successful. It is self-fulfilling prophecy! However it only works if you make it work!
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​To start with, you do need to plan things. First, you have to plan your long-term goals. Decide where you want to be, and after that you need to choose your strategy and have an action plan with target achievements and time frame.
This plan needs to be a visible part of your life every day. Every morning you need to review your goals, and review how you are going to obtain them. Everyday you need to have at least one thing to achieve that takes you nearer your long-term goal. If you fail to keep sight of your goals, you won't get to obtain them.


A way of helping you believe in yourself, and in reaching your goals, is to imagine yourself in the position you wish to achieve.
For example, you can, in your mind, see yourself in the conference room, or receiving that wished for award, or sailing that fabulous boat in fantastic warm blue seas. You can see yourself residing in that terrific penthouse, with a huge balcony, wonderful views and a sauna bath. Or maybe you see yourself as an acclaimed musician and performer, golfer, or artist. It doesn't matter what your dream is-- what matters is that you work at obtaining it.
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LIFE MANTRA QUOTE positive typography pastel color Poster
by simplysweetPAPERIE

​Make the absolute most of your time.

If you let your emotional fear hold you up, you will postpone starting the important things you have to do. And if you start, you will prevaricate and find distractions-- anything to avoid actually doing what you have to do. This is something you have to overcome to become successful.
Acknowledge the fear, and work out short periods of time to do at least a part of a task. Don't allow yourself to become distracted. Ensure you have peace and quiet, and make sure you take your water or coffee with you.
This way you wont be tempted to just 'put the kettle on while thinking of task A', and wont just wander off to the fridge when you should be concentrating on task B'


Students particularly suffer from the procrastination syndrome. It's easy to say 'oh well, I work much better under pressure', but, in fact, it's rarely true, and most people just make life harder by postponing the moment.
So learn to work to the plan, live with the plan, and see the plan as your route to success. Don't treat it as an enemy-- actually it is your best friend.
Make sure your plan allows time for you to think about where you wish to go, and why. Thinking about your future is a good way to keep your goals in sight, and to adapt them if need be. It is worth dreaming a little about how it will feel when you achieve your goals.


Make sure your goals are not too easy, or way too difficult. The long-term goals may be a real stretch, and you know you have to work on progress in a realistic manner.
So set your interim goals, but review them on a regular basis. Your 'next' goal should always be just a bit harder than you think you can manage. Always ensure you have to aim a tad higher than you think you can reasonably get to at every stage.
Review your progression and goals at appropriate times. Build in your reviews to your critical path.

Goal Getter | Pink Polka Dots and Typography Coffee Mug
by christine592

​Yes, you should have a critical path plan. By doing this, you can save time instead of constantly thinking of what you should do next. The plan should show each task in a style that tracks the sequence of your goals and tasks.
A critical path also enables you to build in flexibility and potential for change. It doesn't mean you are absolutely tied to each goal, each date and each vision. It should enable you to see how well you are doing at meeting your targets, though.
You can build almost anything into your critical path. If you need to get your diet right, then you can build in targets for reducing your dependence on sugary foods.
You can have a time frame for stopping smoking and weaning yourself off that bad old nicotine. You can build in the need on a regular basis to examine your attitudes, feelings and self-esteem.

​Further reading: Top personal Growth Tips
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