“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”
– Arthur Ashe
True success requires more than just a brilliant idea. There are wildly ingenious people who have new ideas or ambitious goals every day, but they never see results! The key factor that separates successful individuals or corporations from the rest is preparation.
Results are the byproduct of careful planning and intentionality. This applies to any goal. For example, Olympic runners don’t simply go for the occasional jog before showing up at the Olympic qualifiers. It takes years of regular training to achieve that level of success. Likewise, businesses won’t have a successful product launch without carefully planning, market research, and marketing campaigns.
Preparation is the key to success.
Think about your own goals. What are you doing to prepare for your success? It’s important to begin by defining your goals and creating a plan for achievement. A critical aspect of this planning process is evaluating the resources you need to achieve the goal.
Every goal, big or small, has certain resource requirements that can make or break success. Consider these important resources when making your personal achievement plan:
Time
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Time is your most valuable asset?” There’s truth in this idea. You can only achieve what you have time to achieve. As you consider your goals, ask yourself:
- What time in my schedule can I devote to working on my goal?
- Are there current activities or habits that need to be removed from my life in order to have the time and space to achieve my goals?
- What is my deadline for completing my goal?
- Is this a realistic timeline?
Money
Just about every goal you could have will require some sort of monetary investment. Too often, people jump headfirst into working on a particular project without taking time to analyze the investment costs and create a reasonable budget. When this critical step is overlooked, you risk running out of funds to continue working. As you consider the monetary requirements for your goals, it’s time to ask and answer::
- What are the expenses required to achieve my goal?
- Where will these funds come from?
- What is my plan for unexpected expenditures, should they arise?
People
Who will help you along the journey? Whether you are working as part of a team or pursuing an individual goal, I guarantee there are other important key players that you will need in order to be successful.
- Does my goal require a team? Who are they? What are their roles?
- Which individuals can serve as a source of accountability for me?
- Who are the mentors I can talk to when I have questions or need help?
Materials
Create a list of important materials or tools you will need to be successful. Think about:
- Are there pieces of equipment I will need to be successful? (Ex: Computer)
- Does my goal have any software needs? (Ex: Accounting software or calorie counting app)
- Can I save on costs by borrowing or renting any of these materials? If so, from who?
- If I need to purchase tools or materials, where will I get them?
Are you well prepared for success? Take this 8 Question Quiz to learn your Strategic Vision Mastery score today!
