Dr. Jo's Articles

Four Action Steps to Speed Up Your Success Journey

by Dr. Jo Ann Piña

If striving for success seems like an uphill climb, you may be overlooking a shortcut that successful people apply to their personal and professional goals. They understand that success is a journey - not a destination. Their road to success is paved with specific actions that propel them towards their ultimate goals. The following F-A-S-T guidelines can be applied to both personal and professional goals to speed up your success journey.

ACTION: FOCUS - The starting point of your journey is to focus yourself by creating your vision and defining your purpose in life and/or business.

A vision statement is short, perhaps 4-10 words. Create your vision by asking yourself, "How do I or my business, service or product make a significant difference in other people's lives?"

Now design your purpose or mission. Interestingly, the most powerful purpose focuses on the spirit of service and the contribution that you make to others.

For example, an insurance agent may design his/her mission to "ensure people are taken care of in sickness and health." The mission of a telecommunications sales rep may be to "help people keep in touch with each other." A real estate agent may create his/her mission to "creatively match people with their dream home." It is important to be aware that when your vision includes a higher purpose, the rewards -- ¬money, fame, recognition, and success - follow in natural progression. Think of the successful people you know who are focused on taking a personal interest in their clients and building partnerships.

ACTION: ATTITUDE - Your attitude almost always determines the altitude of your success. This awareness is critical because what the mind thinks about, the body acts on. While this relationship sounds simple, the results can be either self-motivating or devastating to an individual.

You may be sabotaging yourself by engaging in negative self-talk and negative self-suggestions. Many negative influences come from the negative hypnotists you have in your life - parents, friends, significant others, and colleagues. A successful person takes responsibility for choosing the positive hypnotists he or she allows into his or her life. It is important to eliminate dream busters and negative hypnotists and surround yourself with positive hypnotists, optimistic goal setters and coaches.

ACTION: STRATEGIES - Your success journey becomes easier when you know what to expect ¬and expect what you get. It is critical that you design a positive belief in yourself and expect it. First, develop your dream list of your five most important dreams and goals: three professional and two personal. You can start the process of defining your dreams by asking "in an ideal world how would I like to spend my time?" Or, fill in the statement "I would love to expand..." or "I would love to take myself to the next level by..." Next, list the benefits (the difference it makes in the other person's life) or personal payoffs (your intrinsic value) when you achieve it.

In addition, write down the negative conversations you have regarding your dreams and goals. Then, reword them as a positive in the present tense - as if you were already where you want to be.

For example: transform "I don have enough money" into "I live in abundance" or "I have prosperity in my life." The rationale is that you are giving yourself the positive suggestion; and your dominant thought is what your body acts on.

ACTION: TACTICS - Your journey wouldn't be complete without daily success tactics: visualization, positive images and an action plan.

Visualization - For 15-20 minutes each day imagine yourself living and enjoying your dream. This preview of a coming attraction helps you develop a positive self-image. Visualize yourself experiencing the following: 1) a professional success; 2) family success; 3) you alone relishing a personal victory.

Reinforce Positive Images -- ¬Expose yourself to inspirational material each day. Listen to motivational or inspirational audio tapes and quotes. Read biographies of people you admire. Read articles about those who have

Action Plan - Develop your daily, weekly, monthly action plan as it relates to your overall vision and purpose. Work backwards from your ultimate dream plotting the actions needed to reach each successive level until you arrive at the target actions for this month, this week and today. This approach keeps your vision present while keeping your eye on the target. Share your goals only with other positive goal setters and supportive coaches. This positive self-direction is what successful people use to translate imagination into reality.

There is no time like the present to start your success journey. What's the shortcut? Take the FAST success journey:

• FOCUS -clear focus;

• ATTITUDE - positive attitude;

• STRATEGIES – positive expectations;

• TACTICS - daily reinforcement with success tactics.

As you navigate towards your dreams and goals, remember to take time to enjoy the trip. Getting there is half the fun - and who knows what will happen along the way.

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Dr Jo Ann Piña is an internationally recognized professional speaker, consultant and author with expertise in cross-cultural communication, cultural values, communication, diversity and leadership skills. Dr. Jo works with leaders and business owners to expand their ability to influence and get their message across cultures. She also assists companies and associations capture their share of the Hispanic market. You can reach Dr. Jo at 626-437-4814 or by e-mail at DrJo@drjoannpina.com or www.DrJoAnnPina.com.

© Dr. Jo Ann Piña All Rights Reserved.

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