Becoming Successful Isn’t as Hard as You May Think

 

SUCCESS

 

How do successful people really become successful? Is it a secret that’s not shared with the rest of the society, but instead kept within a “special club” in which you must pay some sort of fee to get admittance? It’s quite normal to inquire into this information, especially when you feel that you are not where you want to be within your life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that my strength derives from staying committed to whatever journey I’m on within that moment; eliminating all distractions, and simply getting it done. In this blog, I will break down the definitions of goals; motivation; diversity; dreams; and potential, and how adopting an understanding of these life changing key definitions will propel you to success.

 

 

GOALS

 

Many times, during your lifetime, you may have set certain types of goals for yourself. These goals could have been anywhere from weight loss to achieving a high-test score, winning first place in a competition, or even saving up a certain amount of money by a specific time. But what is the exact definition of a goal? What does it mean? Based on Merriam-Webster’s definition, a goal is something that you are trying to do or achieve; an area or object into which a ball or puck must be hit, kicked, etc., to score points in various games; or the act of hitting, kicking, etc., a ball or puck into a goal or the score that results from doing this. (www.merriam-webster.com) Quite interesting definitions, wouldn’t you say? As you can see goals can mean different things, depending on the activity. But the one thing that all three of the mentioned definitions have in common, is that an “action” is being taken. You cannot achieve a goal unless you are acting on the plan. In our younger years it may have been easier to reach simple goals, but as we age and mature through life, our goals become bigger and much more challenging. This can be due to our careers, school, family, health, or just overall personal matters that

arise in our lifetime. Whatever your case may be, it will benefit you to reach the goal that you have set, because it attributes to feeling better about oneself. Reaching goals can also be extremely discouraging, especially when you are not seeing immediate results. Therefore, it’s important to categorize your goals as either short term or long term, so that you don’t have unrealistic expectations of your performance. I recall a goal that I started about nine years ago and expected it to be completed within five. However, due to life’s unexpected events, I had to rearrange my deadline expectation. Many, times with goals, we may have to move the mark back a bit, but just remember not to erase the mark.

 

 

 

MOTIVATION

 

Have you ever gone to bed the night before with such excitement, with the intention on waking up early the next morning to finally get started on your new workout routine? Or better yet, have you ever subconsciously spoken to yourself about needing to change your eating habits and planning to start down the road of healthy eating, but as soon as your stomach growls, you’re thinking about a high calorie fast food meal, and then, you’re acting on that thought and buying a high calorie fast food meal? Well, don’t feel bad, we all go through this subconscious pull and tug continuously in our lives. It’s very common. As a matter of fact, this is what you call lack of motivation. Motivation is the reason that we have for acting in a particular way or the general desire or willingness for someone to do something. Everyone has their own reasons for why they do what they do, and this is what will drive results. If you don’t have a personal reason as to why you are pursuing something, you will be like a wild animal in the free field, lost. Have you ever analyzed an old friend or family member and wondered why they are still doing what they were doing ten years ago? Or this person could even be you, but hopefully it’s not. However, whether it’s you or a close friend or family member who has remained stagnant in their status in life, the reason behind this stagnation is all connected to lack of motivation to pursue something. Don’t get me wrong, it’s easy to fall into this rabbit whole of stillness, especially when you consider others’ personal situations, challenges, families, upbringings, or support, but these are not excuses to remain in a hole of darkness. Analyze why you’re choosing to go after change for yourself, and this will help you begin the understanding of the importance of motivation. Here’s an introduction to just one of our awesome motivational sessions: Keynote Speaking – America Equals.

 

 

DIVERSITY

 

It has always been my desire to include a variety of ethnicities and cultures in group projects, whether that be at work or school. I believe that its’ important for colleagues and classmates to interact with a diversified selection of individuals, depending on the duty. The United States is one of the most diverse countries, a country that some would even call a melting pot. One of the best ways to learn and appreciate the different races and cultures that reside in this country is to work beside them. Another way is to do business with a variety of cultures and races, such as not targeting a specific race, but targeting a specific market, that could be composed of a variety of cultures within that market. Not only does this allow you to expand your understanding of different cultures, but you become an interesting citizen with a positive reputation that is open to meeting new people in your community. This article, How Diversity & Inclusion Matter | McKinsey discusses the power of diversity and inclusion, specifically in business. So, if you’re lacking personally, within the diversity area, invite an individual of a different race to the conversation and see what you learn! Check out this workshop 1-Hour Energizer – America Equals that will award you an opportunity to collaborate with a diverse set of individuals within a workshop setting.

 

DREAMS

 

Unfortunately, there are many people in this world that have passed on, that never pursued their dreams. When you think about it, this is quite sad, because life is about living out your dreams and passions. This article talks about the importance of having a dream and the comparisons to those who don’t. People Who Live Without Dreams. Insights of the people who don’t have… | by Vinod Sharma | Live Your Life On Purpose | Medium. Having a dream can start as early as a toddler or as old as whenever one gets the vision of the dream throughout their life. This article News Coverage — Honor Loan® highlights what dreams children can follow. Dreaming is important, as it connects to goals and motivation, and allows you to manifest a thought or imagination that has only lived in your mind. No one can put a limit on your dream, nor can they judge the type of dream you have, because these are internal visions that only the person with the vision can see. I know for me personally, I’ve had a recurring dream throughout my life that began when I was a little girl, however, over the years friends and family diminished my belief that my dream could come to past. This is not uncommon, but very common, therefore, one must become strategic with whom they discuss their dream with. Genesis 37:11-35 Genesis 37:11-36 NIV - His brothers were jealous of him, but - Bible Gateway from the Holy Bible is about the story of Joseph and how his brothers became jealous of him, threw him into a pit, and later into slavery, all over the fact that he shared the vision of his dream with them. This is an extreme example, but it’s also quite relevant to the topic of dreams and how important it is to be mindful of whom you’re sharing them with. Some people in your life, may not understand your vision and unintentionally or intentionally may speak discouraging words that cause you to develop doubt in your own dream. Just remember, your dream is your dream, and it’s up to you to protect it and make sure that it manifests into reality.

 

 

POTENTIAL

 

Taking all the above topics into consideration, do you think you have the potential to go after your goals, your dreams, and to motivate yourself? Would you consider yourself an individual with an open mind, willing to get to know the unique and interesting ethnicities, races, and cultures of individuals around you? If you answered no, to any of the above questions, I’d like to remind you that you do have the potential, as we all do. The question is, how bad do you want it? As we grow throughout our lives, there are certain milestones that we should be hitting along the way. If you’re not hitting those milestones, then you’re not growing. Growth is believing that you have the potential to achieve certain things in your life.

To conclude this blog, I’d like to share some tips from an article by National Reach Your Potential Month: Overcoming Obstacles to Reach Your Potential | WVU News | thedaonline.com on how to reach your potential:

 

· Stay organized

· Don’t procrastinate

· Avoid negativity

· Realize perfectionism is impossible

· Seek guidance and ask questions

 

Also, remember that life is rollercoaster of ups and downs, but the joy of living is making it through each obstacle and finding a way to navigate back on track. Understanding your own goals, motivation, dreams, potential, and keeping an open mind and appreciating the value that people of various diverse backgrounds can bring to the table, will ultimately help you in becoming a balanced individual. Additionally, these actions will cause you to reap a reputation of being quite interesting, and will allow you to contribute to society in a very impactful way. Remember, these words are not just definitions, their key strategies that will guide you to into your successful future. Don’t give up!

Check out some awesome resources at America Equals | Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship that America Equals can offer you in your quest for a satisfied life.

 

 

Blog written by Desiree Taylor.

Desiree is a senior college student at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Virginia, majoring in a bachelor’s degree of Science in Strategic Communications. She overcome various adversities during her personal and professional life, that have awarded her clear insight and strategic alternatives to navigate life’s challenges. She enjoys singing, writing music, cooking, volunteering and helping others reach their dreams.