When baking something for the first time, it's often important to have a recipe handy to give you some idea of what ingredients are needed and in what quantities. When working on something new and perhaps bigger than what you've done in the past, there are some essential ingredients to include as well:
INNER DRIVE
Your desire and motivation form the basis of your recipe. Only your decision and your choice will allow you to make the necessary changes and/or take the necessary steps. Why would you push yourself to achieve something that doesn't really matter to you or that you don't really care about that much? So before you go any further, focus on getting clear on what you want, deep down, and what makes it so important to you. It's important here to pay attention to what's important to YOU - not the goals that other people will set for you since they won't be nearly as captivating.
STRUCTURE & ACCOUNTABILITY
Many people have goals that they would like to achieve, but without taking purposeful and persistent action, the likelihood of reaching them isn't likely. And just having the "necessary" information may not always be enough. For example, personal trainers know how to exercise. When they would like an extra push, they will sometimes work with other personal trainers. Coaches also often work with other coaches for motivation, intensity and accountability. It's also very helpful to have someone paying attention to the areas you may be blind to in order to draw attention to areas where you might be sabotaging your success.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
As discussed earlier, your own motivation is the biggest factor of your success. But what about those days when you are tempted to give up? When the challenges threaten to push your motivation aside and you just don't feel like doing anything? What or who will push you to do what you need to do in those moments? Having positive people to turn to who can empathize with you but not buy in to your doubts and negative moments can be enormously successful. Having a personal library with inspirational books, images, newsletters and quotes that you can turn to is also a key factor. Relying on your initial motivation alone is not sufficient.
OPEN MIND
If you keep doing what you've always done and cling to it even when it's not working for you, nothing is going to change. On the other hand, If you really, really want to change things, open yourself up to the possibilities of doing different things and doing things differently. This means not automatically dismissing ideas that don't fit with the way you've always done things. This means not assuming that the way you've always done things is the best way. It means paying attention to your blind spot. You can do this through journaling or speaking with a close friend, coach or mentor who might be able to help you see what you are unable to see on your own. By its very definition, seeing what's in your blind spot can be very difficult to do on your own.
PERSONAL AWARENESS
Building on the previous point, each person learns and is motivated differently. What works best for someone else may not be the right choice for you. Pay attention to where you excel and where you find yourself challenged. Set up the structure and system that works best for you, often a process that is developed through some trial and error. Look at where you are holding yourself back, and try to figure out the real reasons for this so that you can address them and move forward.
With the key ingredients of strong personal motivation + structure & accountability + positive reinforcement + an open mind + personal awareness = increased likelihood of true personal and inner success.
What other ingredients for success would you add?
Visit http://www.heartandsoulliving.com to sign up for your complimentary booklet, "9 strategies to break free of the anxiety that drains your soul - and become the person you were meant to be".
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