Wednesday Motivations! Success and Happiness

“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” (Dale Carnegie)

Friends, what gifts or talents do you possess that set you apart from other people?  Are you an amazing cook, or perhaps possess the ability to make anyone laugh until their belly aches? We all have unique gifts and talents but the question is, what is it that the most successful people have that the rest of us often don’t?

The fact is that truly successful people are not much different than you and me. Success can come for all of us by following some fairly simple guidelines. The first key to this success is to develop clarity. Those who have the most success in life are clear about what they want, and make specific goals and take intentional steps in order to achieve them.

It’s not enough to just say that you want to lose 25 pounds or develop a 6 figure income. You need a precise plan, a road map if you will, to achievement that weight loss or income goal.

For example, make a plan to exercise for 45 minutes 3 times a week, skip dessert, drink 8 glasses of water a day, and lose 12 pounds this month. The more specific and clear your goals are, the more likely you are to turn your plans into habits and attain those goals. I know this concept has been a game changer in my own journey.

You also have to be clear on why you have this goal in the first place.  Having a goal with a distinct purpose keeps you going even through the tough times. When it comes to weight loss, many people have their health on the line.  Setting specific goals beyond the number on a scale, such as being able to lower your blood pressure 20 points, or comfortably go on a hike with your kids, can aid in a more rapid and enjoyable journey. Ask yourself why? Why do I need to lose weight, why do I need to study for school, why do I need to have a business plan? When we know the “why” behind our actions, commitments, and goals, it becomes much easier to endure the difficulties and setbacks that we all will experience along the way.

Lastly, you can’t navigate through this world alone. Remarkable success and positive change typically doesn’t happen without the help of others. Just who those people turn out to be may be different for each one of us. I know for me personally, whether physically recovering from my illness, getting through school, or starting my own business, none of it could have been possible without the tremendous help of my family, certain friends, certain teachers, and a coach or two.

So don’t try to do it alone. Be willing to ask for help, look for an accountability partner, or perhaps join a small group. Through collaboration, we not only help ourselves, but help each other to become more successful. We all want more success in life, but what I have learned is that true happiness comes from learning to want what you have along the way.

When we can do this, the best is yet to come!

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