The Formula for Success Comes from Within

Only you can create your unique pathway toward success

Success looks different for everyone. One person’s goal may be to climb Mount Everest. Another, to build a nonprofit from the ground up, or to save $5,000 in a given year.

Because we measure success based on our own background, beliefs, talents, and ideals, there is no magic formula that can be applied to each situation. Understanding that is the first step. The second? Reaching within yourself to find your own “formula” for success.

Here’s how to start.

Take other people’s opinions lightly

When you decide to make a big life transition or take a big risk, other people will try to bring you down. Whether your mom worries you’ll go broke or coworkers respond with negativity out of their own jealousy, you have to start blocking out the noise.

If you continue to measure success, or your likelihood for failure, based on what other people think, you will never find success. Your goals and outcomes will only be influenced by what others say, and you’ll lose your purpose and your passion, both of which likely define the very success you’re trying to reach.

The next time someone gives you an unwelcome opinion about how improbable it is that you’ll succeed, thank them for their input and don’t think about it a second longer. While it would be very satisfying to reach your goal and tell them, “I told you so,” allowing that attitude to be the driving force toward your victory isn’t a great idea, either.

Just tune it out, all of it, and focus on creating a plan that will work for you.

Abundance may start small

Another thing to keep in mind in finding your own, unique formula for success is to remember that small steps make up big wins. True abundance has to start somewhere. One small win can lead to many more wins, but only when we recognize that small win, rather than letting the negatives overtake our thoughts and actions.

Failure is going to happen. We are only human. But it’s your perspective in dealing with it, your reaction to that failure and your ability to stay hopeful, that will continue to push you forward. Your bank account or a number of social media followers won’t triple in one week, so be patient.

One way to recognize small wins is to keep a journal of positive things each day. Remember the things you did right the first time, instead of only recognizing when you make a mistake. It’s easy for us to do this; we want to be perfect creatures, especially when working toward a goal, so when something goes right or as planned, we often don’t celebrate it since we feel it’s what was supposed to happen.

But those are no small feats. Bring all those wins into focus and you’ll realize that you’re already on your way to reaching the finish line.

Get on top of prioritizing

To give yourself some kind of tangible goal structure, start prioritizing. Prioritize everything, from your daily tasks to monthly business goals to financial goals to personal goals.

This puts the power of measurement in your hands, and no one else’s. You can measure your own success and your own ability to reach outcomes because you have set it all up yourself.

And be smart about prioritizing. Don’t put the tasks you dread at the end of the list. Instead, focus first on the more challenging items or goals, and you’ll reward yourself with leaving the simpler tasks for later.

Creating a priority chart for overall business goals is also a good way for you to stay on track. Post this list near your workspace so that you will be reminded each day of what your top priority is, which should also align with why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Trust your gut

Finally, remember to trust yourself. If you’re unsure about a new partnership or opportunity, and your gut is telling you something isn’t right, trust that feeling. Only say yes to opportunities that you are 100 percent invested in. You’ll start to say no to more things, once you recognize what that glorious, all-in feeling really feels like.

Because only you can create your formula for success, you have to start listening to yourself. Otherwise, you won’t have a clear direction, and your goals may become skewed based on other people’s expectations.

You know what it feels like when you are truly you. If you’ve never thought about this, take a moment and think about something that’s you to your core, whether an article of clothing, a decision you made, or a musician you love – something that you have no doubt represents you or excites you.

That same feeling, that feeling of authenticity, should be a driving force in the way you do things. In the way, you make daily decisions.

And most of all, in the way you define success.

Paper Napkin Wisdom provides tips and tricks in the form of podcasts, keynote sessions, workshops, and executive coaching. We were built by entrepreneurs to help other entrepreneurs take their vision to the next level. Get in touch with us today.