3 Daily Steps for Success When the Count is Down

It’s here, the time of year for graduations and last week I had the joy of attending my Granddaughter’s high school graduation. Four years of hard work, commitment and focus were celebrated that day as we watched with joy as she received her diploma.

All around the world I am sure there are countless people crossing a finish-line of some sort. It might be a school term or an athlete competition, a job- training course or racing to reach a career deadline or challenge. You may find yourself at this moment dashing to a finish line but what Steps do You Take for Success When the COUNT is DOWN?

It’s easy to get behind on your target but just like a GPS we just RE-CALCULATE and keep going. For most, the reason for being off course might be in setting a DEADLINE not a SCHEDULE. Once a Goal is established and a date is set to reach it the next step should be to create a schedule to work your plan.

The SCHEDULE is the WHEN to Do it.

The DEADLINE is the Arrival Date

It’s like planning a vacation. You decide where you want to go, when you want to arrive and then schedule everything that has to be done (to make it happen) before the actual trip date. I schedule my nail and hair appointments, time to select my wardrobe and time to pack. Book the car service to take me to the airport and the list goes on. A goal is treated very much the same way as planning a trip.

• Decide where you want to go
• When you want to arrive.
• Plan out a strategy of everything you need to do before your deadline date.
• Create a schedule for your list of things to do and then begin doing it.

The most important way to boost your momentum is to Focus! Operate with Singleness of Purpose …. Make sure you are free to work daily towards accomplishing all you need to do so you can CROSS the FINISH-LINE.

3 DAILY STEPS FOR SUCCESS WHEN THE COUNT IS DOWN

1. Prioritize – Make the goal as easy as possible. Put first things first. Only do what is essential for a positive outcome.
2. Delegate – Yes, this is your goal and for you to accomplish but you need to create a support team to do all the things that have to be done but not necessarily by you. Your job is to stay focused and to do this you need to only do the vital things that are part of the achievement of the goal and assign everything else to your team. I always had a support team to help me with my home, childcare and office duties.
3. Start – Jump in with enthusiasm, commitment and the belief that you can and will finish your race.   Stick to your daily schedule and make it non-negotiable. As Jerry Seinfeld said in explaining his formula for success, “Don’t Break the Chain!” He took a calendar and each day that he stuck to his schedule he made a large RED X on the day on the calendar. After a while with all the X marks on the calendar looked like a chain. Thus, “Don’t break the chain!” Doing this turns your daily schedule into a routine and creates success habits.

Stick to your daily routine and keep your goal in clear sight. Be joyful in pursuit of crossing the finish line. You can do it!

Don’t waste life in Doubts and Fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

P. S. Are you coming to my Fall Retreat? Early Bird Discount is available for a limited number of registrations RIGHT NOW!