But success usually doesn’t just happen. It’s a process, sometimes a painstaking one, that can take weeks, months or even years to complete, depending on what you want to accomplish.
Whether you’re striving to achieve success through a 10-year plan or hoping to accomplish something that won’t take quite as long, here are five steps that will help you get there.
1. Set a Measurable Goal
Everybody’s definition of success can be different. This is why it’s important to decide on your own version of success, and set specific goals to achieve your own visual of success. Decide what it is you want to pursue and the path ahead may become clearer.
For example:
Weak goal: “I want to grow my business.”
Strong goal: “I want to grow my business by 30 percent this year.”
If you set the first goal and add one more client this year compared to last, you technically hit your goal. But would you truly consider that success?
Also, be realistic. Everyone wants to be the top-selling agent in thier market or niche. But is doing so truly attainable? If so, shoot for the moon.
If not, set a realistic – yet still challenging – short-term goal so that you can better position yourself for long-term success.
2. Be Strategic
How are you going to grow your business by 30 percent this year?
Is the growth going to come by relying on your sphere of influence? By growing your network? Using technology and social media to help you leverage your time?
Choosing any of those routes can work, but you need to research which one makes the most sense for you. Once you decide on a direction, create a detailed marketing and business plan that can help you stay on track toward your goal – but don’t be afraid to make slight changes as you learn what works and what doesn’t.
3. Stay Organized and Better Manage Your Time
Do you struggle to stay organized and manage your time? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Just Google “time management.” Usually Google’s first page of search results for words or phrases are definitions. In this case, it’s loaded with tips and how-to guides.
Everyone is different and, just as there’s no one-size-fits-all plan for success, there’s no universal cure for time management woes.
Our advice? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether that comes from hiring a personal assistant, relying more on technology or using an appointment center to manage showing calls, shortening your daily task list can help put you in a better position to focus on the bigger picture – your ultimate goal.
4. Remain Focused
Warning: The path to reaching your goal likely won’t be easy.
There will be road bumps in the form of a slow month or a nightmarish listing. How you respond to such adversity is a key trait in discovering who you are and what you’re made of.
The important thing is to maintain a good attitude and clear mind. Also, be honest and introspective during tough moments.
Was that slow month a result of the market, or because you didn’t work as hard at marketing and networking? Did you set a seller’s sights too high by not properly consulting statistics and knowing your market before setting the list price you had to drop?
It’s easy to play the blame game, but sometimes the path to success can’t be completed until you look inward.
5. Rejoice … or Revise
The final step of achieving success is … achieving it! So, once you do, congratulate yourself for a job well done.
If you fail to reach your goal, it’s time to once again look yourself in the mirror and ask why. Maybe you didn’t quite put forth the effort you should have. Or, perhaps the market really was that bad. Give yourself a hard critique, but also be reasonable.
Success doesn’t come easy. For some, it never comes at all. But that’s why so many people revel in the joy of chasing it.
Are you looking for products and services that will help make your business a success? Learn more about how ShowingTime can help advance your business this year.
