The Success Formula: Creating Your Plan

Last week, we looked at the critical first part of The Success Formula - how to establish a winning goal. Now, we're taking things a step further and discussing how to create the plan that will help us accomplish our goals. A plan should encompass each of the "mini-goals" you need to achieve in order to reach the ultimate goal. I recommend breaking the whole process down into bite-sized pieces - little baby steps. If you try to jump in all at once, you might find yourself overwhelmed and frustrated.

Think of something big you've already achieved. Do you remember how huge it seemed at first? And remember how maybe, you even considered giving up once or twice...Then, remember how the project seemed to take on a life of its own after a while, the momentum building up until you felt that success was the only possible outcome. Do you remember that feeling of pure energy?

A well-crafted plan can indeed become a living, breathing thing. But remember that a plan is more than just the steps it takes to accomplish a goal. A plan is a roadmap. It's a mindset that guides you through every peak and valley in the process. A strong plan must embrace the understanding that getting from "here" to "there" is not always a straight path. The road may be full of potholes and sudden, unexpected curves but a strong plan will help keep you on track no matter what.

1. Plan for Flexibility. Nothing is ever as smooth and straight-forward as we'd like it to be. If we try to remain rigid and glued to one set of ideas or plans, we'll quickly find ourselves stuck and unable to move forward. In every plan, there must be an element of flexibility. Always keep your eyes open for opportunities. Don't let your plan get in the way of other doors opening. For the last year or so, I've had a very serious plan about my future and what I believed I wanted it to look like. Everything I did was basically an effort to get me closer to that ultimate goal. Then, very suddenly, an opportunity fell out of the sky and into my lap. It wasn't at all what I had been expecting but it was something that ultimately would help me achieve the same goal. The path was shifting and taking a form I hadn't planned on, but it was still leading me to the same destination. More on this later, I promise...but for now, let me just say that had I been rigid in my plan, I never would have been open to this opportunity. I would have simply looked past it and said, "No thank you, that's not what I was expecting." Plans are a necessary, important part of The Success Formula. But don't let a plan hold you hostage. You are in control of your plan and it can change anytime you want it to.

2. Plan to Take Risk. Don't expect to get anywhere without risking something. It's the basic principle of investing: the expected reward is directly related to the risk you are willing to take. Without taking the risk, you'll never know what could have been. When I started this blog, I thought it was kind of risky - putting myself out there for the world to see and judge. What if people hated it? What if they said my idea was silly, my writing boring? Then where would I be? I came to the conclusion that I would be no worse off than if I hadn't tried it at all. So I took the plunge and accepted that risk. Without it, I wouldn't have accomplished some of the things I consider my greatest achievements: writing an e-book, building a community of professionals, establishing a brand, and generating a modest but inspiring side income.

3. Plan on Success. Approach your plan with the belief that success is inevitable. Assume that you have everything you need to make it happen. Remember that once you have your mind set on something, the universe conspires to help you achieve it. Things will fall into place if you move with confidence and trust in yourself. Remember, even things that appear on the surface to be "failures" may only be opportunities in disguise. Keep a positive attitude in each step along the way. I've always been a strong believer in the idea of Karma and the Law of Attraction. I believe that what you put out into the universe comes back to you tenfold. Unfortunately, I've also learned that sometimes, there's no rhyme or reason to the universe. Negative people can still win the lottery. Greedy, mean-spirited people can still get the promotion at work and win the beautiful girl. "Fair" is a relative term.Don't expect that you deserve success simply because you believe in the power of the universe. But have faith in yourself and your own abilities and I believe everything else will support you. Remember that anything is possible...

4. Plan to Go Slow. While it may be tempting to dive in head first when you're really excited about something, do your best to keep an even hand. Moving slow will help prevent burnout. All too often people get really jazzed on something and they go all out trying to get everything done right away. What's the rush? Slow cook your success and you'll find the process much more enjoyable. This is a piece of advice I often have to remind myself of. When I have a great idea or a big goal I want to achieve, I tend to get really pumped up and feel a great sense of urgency to constantly be moving forward. Then, I suddenly hit a brick wall and either lose interest or feel completely overwhelmed by the project. I am constantly telling myself to slow down and enjoy the process. If you're like me, try not to let your anxiety and excitement get the best of you. Relax and take it one step at a time.

5. Plan to Work. If success was easy, every Joe-Schmo would be a millionaire. It isn't just something that happens. All the visualizations and affirmations in the world won't replace good old-fashioned hard work. Be prepared to make sacrifices along the way. You may have to spend hours of personal time working toward your goals. You may need to research and study and read books while others are watching the game and drinking beers at the bar. At the end of the day, what you choose to do is up to you. Just don't be fooled by these people who are out there saying that success is easy if you use this technique or that technique. It's not easy. It takes serious effort. And that's what makes it so rewarding and worthwhile. Be sure to keep your eye out for the next part of The Success Formula Series: Making the Commitment.