Success can be financial like making that first million before turning 21 or retiring at 30. Finally, it can be something altruistic like starting a foundation or a non-profit organisation for some worthy cause.

Fortunately, there’s no better time than now to learn how to be successful. However, the steps to follow are pretty much standard, if one wants to win in life.

1. Think BIG

The bigger the dream, the greater the chance of success. So be ambitious! Dare to aim for something that might seem out of your grasp now. Do you have what it takes to be a manager at the firm you’re working for? Make that a stepping stone towards something much greater, like being the CEO of your company.

By thinking big, you’re allowing yourself to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to attain something grand yet meaningful.

2. Plan

Success never just luck. Achieving that big dream requires careful thought and planning. You need to map out your end-goal into manageable chunks that you can tick off your list over a period of time.

Think of where you want to be in terms of that end-goal three, five, and then ten years down the line. Then list down the specific objectives you have for each stage.

If you’re still studying for that business degree, graduating and getting a good-paying job with advancement opportunities can be part of your three-year plan.

3. Build your expertise

Formal education is the most common means for building your expertise in any field. However, it’s not the only way to do it.

Internships, seminars, or even just scouring the inter webs for online courses related to your field can help you gain the necessary knowledge to perform the work that needs to be done. Experience will then teach you how to excel at this work, be recognised and move up the ranks.

4. Cultivate positive relationships

Never underestimate the value of networking. Expand your professional and personal circle as applies to your ultimate goal. Build relationships with people who will open your mind and introduce you to a new way of looking at things.

Seek out mentors, particularly those who’ve achieved the same things you’re working towards,

5. Do the work

Now that you’ve laid out your plan and learned as much as you can, start! Begin with the first item on your list and work your way down. If you came up with a detailed goal map, you shouldn’t be overwhelmed like you’re racing against the clock or have to do a million things all at once.

Ease into it and continue at a pace that won’t compromise your health or your sanity.

6. Rely on yourself the most

No man is an island so ask for help when you need it. But always remember that you alone are the author of your own success. Others may be there to provide a suggestion or two, but it is you who will fill those pages.

So be prepared to put in those long hours and make sacrifices for the sake of achieving your own version of success.

7. Focus on commitment, not motivation

A lot of people get sidetracked on the road to success because they constantly seek that which can motivate them. Don’t make this mistake.

Instead, commit to doing what you need to in order to complete the little goals you’ve set for yourself at different stages of the journey. Being committed to achieving that big goal at the end will help you stay on track, especially on those days where you want to throw in the towel.

8. Follow your intuition

Going with your gut is important when working towards being a successful version of yourself. The months and even years of building your expertise would have provided you with a compass embedded in your subconscious.

Allow your intuition to guide you. If a decision feels like the wrong one, don’t act on it.

9. Don’t fear failure

The road to success is not straight and paved. More often than not, it’s riddled with potholes. You will stumble along the way and that’s okay. Remember, it isn’t about the mistakes you made and or that time you failed at something. What matters is how you pull yourself back up at move forward after these setbacks.

10. Stay positive

A positive attitude and a grateful heart will get you places. When you are optimistic, you’ll learn to see failure as stepping stones instead of roadblocks. Be your own cheerleader. Have a mantra to start your day with or say positive affirmations in front of the mirror.

Lastly, find joy in whatever it is you’re doing. The most successful people are those who work hard and yet find it in them to enjoy what it is that they do.

11. Start living your dreams

Chase after that one big dream, but don’t forget to live. You don’t have to achieve that end-goal to start living your dreams. Take that vacation when you get that promotion.

Buy that car after your investments have tripled in value. Rewarding yourself after accomplishing some part of your plan will motivate you, get you more excited to reach that ultimate goal that you’ve set for yourself.

Conclusion

Success might mean different things for different people.

It can be professional like becoming a manager or a VP.  Personal success, on the other hand, could be marked in milestones like buying that first home, starting a family, or having kids graduate from university.

But the things that need to be done in order to achieve success are the same all throughout.

The willingness to learn and improve, work hard, and plan carefully separates those who make it who stay put and those who made it all the way to the top.

What are the 5 keys to success?

They are: Determination, Skill, Passion, Discipline And Luck. Determination is necessary but, like each of the 5 keys, not sufficient for success.

What are the six steps to success in life?

It is the ability to reach your goals in life, whatever those goals may be.

Develop Mental Toughness

  1. Believe in yourself. Cut out negative self-talk and look for ways to stay positive and self-encouraging.
  2. Keep trying.
  3. Set goals.
  4. Find support.

How can I improve my life in 7 days?

7 Ways to Improve Your Life in 7 Days
  1. Begin learning a new skill.
  2. Give yourself a reward every day.
  3. Start an exercise program.
  4. Declutter your environment.
  5. Make a bucket list.
  6. Confront a fear.
  7. Reconnect with an old friend.

How can I change my life in 100 days?

To change your life in 100 days, you need to know what your goal is and then decide when you’re going to achieve it. In this case, its within 100 days. You might also want to set some deadlines for smaller tasks you need to do to achieve that goal. Deadlines are very important because they spur you into action.

How can teens improve their lives?

Here are my tips to improve your life as a teenager and how to be a better person as a teenager:
  1. Stop Complaining.
  2. Develop a Thick Skin.
  3. Resist Catching up with the Joneses.
  4. Embrace that Failing is Normal.
  5. Enforce Health & Avoid Bad Habits.
  6. Invest in Better Relationships.
  7. Choose Kindness Over Being Right.
  8. Respect Yourself.

What are the 7 areas of life?

To recap, these areas are: Physical Body, Emotions and Meaning, Relationships, Time, Career, Finances and Contribution and Spirituality. Each of these areas requires focus – neglecting any one of them can cause massive pain in your life. To create a life of true fulfillment, you must master all seven areas.

What are 5 habits that can improve my life?

Try These 5 Daily Habits to Improve Your Life This Year
  • Eat the Same Thing Every Day for Breakfast. It’s estimated that the average human makes 35,000 decisions every day, including more than 200 decisions about food alone.
  • Schedule Some Standing Time.
  • Take a Meditation Break.