Personal success is often less complication than we think, it boils down to three focal points that you need to succeed. All the podcasts, books, seminars, coaching sessions, in some way, all reference these three things. Remember them and heed to them and you will have a basic guideline for achieving all that you want without trying to find the next new, hot idea. To ensure long-term, sustainable success in your life, you must have 1) a vision for your future 2) energy to work towards achieving it and 3) the discipline to commit to fulfilling your vision. That’s it! Those three things: vision, energy, discipline.
Now, this doesn’t mean that I am telling you to stop investing in those resources that can further your development. I personally am constantly finding new perspectives to inspire me on my journey. My Amazon book library is full of personal development books and when I come across an intriguing book title or book description, it is hard not to click “Buy Now with One-Click”. The challenge is that many people stay in the “acquisition stage” of learning what they need to be successful and don’t transition to the “action stage”. Commit yourself to continuing education and acquiring knowledge, but the most important thing is to commit yourself to taking the necessary actions toward your future.
The idea of intentional personal success or personal development can be traced back to various ancient societies (from Africa, Greece and others). Socrates statement, “The unexamined life is not worth living”, connotes the priority of the quest for and exploration of life’s meaning.
Great companies deliberately determine and document their vision, purpose, values and then set goals to achieve them. For several years success literature and best-selling business books have placed a great deal of focus on the significance for individuals and companies to create mission or purpose statements, formulate a vision and write an action plan which includes goal-setting. Fortunately, many organizations spend a great deal of focus on vital topics such as purpose and vision. Unfortunately, most individuals do not.
Psychologist Viktor Frankl wrote that, “Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life. Everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.” Your vision once contemplated becomes a deep source of meaning. It describes both a short-term and long-term perspective of what you want your life to look like. I suggest you begin thinking of and planning your next year but more significantly, to create a vision of how you envision your life ten years from now.
Tony Robbins said it best, “Most people overestimate what they can do in a year and they underestimate what they can do in two or three decades”. Don’t try to accomplish all the unaccomplished goals that have been frustrating you in one year. Instead focus on immediate actions to fulfill long-term goals. For starters, spend regular time in quiet places, without distractions so that you can envision what your future looks like, what you will be doing with your time, how you can make a difference. Keep a journal and write your thoughts down on paper.
A clear personal vision generates energy and focuses your life in a specific direction. Your vision describes where you are going and where you want to go. It is how you see your life at some future point in time. It is a visual snapshot that, once you see, you can pursue.
Creating a vision in your mind for your future is an energizer. It captures who you want to be, what you want to accomplish and the contributions you want to make to your company, your community and/or to humanity. Many people’s energy is depleted because of procrastination, lack of ambition and spending time on unnecessary activities and/or spending their day at jobs that they do not like. Whether you spend significant time on an occupation (something you are doing for the income) or a vocation (something you feel deeply called to), make sure that you define what success means to you.
In addition, there are things that you must focus on that are physiologically proven to increase energy. Diet, exercise, and adequate sleep are important for people in general. They are especially important for people who are ambitious and spend many hours a week working. If you are or want to become a high achiever, make sure that you drink enough water, eat balanced meals with adequate nutrients, and the necessary calories (please consult your physician or another healthcare practitioner). It is also important that you exercise regularly and get adequate rest.
Once you take initiative and remain disciplined in fulfilling your purpose, you will be amazed at the people and resources that you attract that will help you achieve your vision and goals. The universe will comply when you have a vision and start moving in that direction. Having a sense of vision fires us up, having discipline encourages you to not waste significant time that can be used towards moving ahead in life and energy is your fuel to reach the finished line. Spend significant time on a vision for the future, creating and maintaining the necessary energy and the discipline to reach the finish line.
Cheers to your success.