The following article first appeared on Girls Guide to Swagger and is posted here with permission by author Cynthia Brown.
Have you noticed that while some people seem to achieve their goals and live their dreams, others who appear equally talented do not?
In my life working with non-profit and for-profit agencies, as well as college students, I have watched many people advance in their careers and seem fulfilled in their lives, while others are left behind wondering what happened. As I think about the reason for the differences, I remembered something a work colleague once said to me. “Those who succeed have the will to complete what they start.”
So here are my suggestions for how to be someone who completes a project they begin and succeeds!
Have a big vision – learn how to tap into your inner voice for guidance
Look inside and see your particular talents and gifts. What are your deepest dreams? How would you like to be part of making the world a better place? Ask yourself these questions and take some time to write down your answers and come back to them, as your life evolves.
Make goals and work on them every week
After you are clear on your big vision, note the steps you will need to take this year and next year, in order to reach your goals. Then schedule small steps on your calendar, starting now. Every week, take some time to plan your time and be sure to note the steps you completed last week and what you want to accomplish in the coming week.
Keep your word and do what you say you will, especially when it is hard
I know so many people who respond with enthusiasm, but don’t follow through. They may say “Sure, I would love to write a guest post for your website or interview you for mine.” But when you send a time to talk, there is no reply or worse yet, they schedule a time and then are not there when you call. Sometimes it is hard to keep your word. It is nice outside and you would rather go out for a walk or you feel tired or overwhelmed. It happens to all of us. If you can find the discipline to keep your word, especially when you don’t feel like it, you will find that it energizes you and opens doors for you. Follow through. If someone offers you an opportunity, respond! You never know which opportunity will lead you to the right connection with the right person who helps move your project forward.
Finish. The will to complete
There is a joke in the construction world that the last 10% of the job takes 90% of the time. Beware of the approaching end of the project when your energy seems to evaporate and there seems to be too many obstacles to finish. I know so many people who became discouraged part way through writing a book and starting a business. We all get discouraged and may find we need a break or some help. But don’t let a slow down or a series of obstacles become the end of your project. Break the steps down so that they become feasible and then keep doing! Keep your eye on the goal and surround yourself with those people who energize and support you. Feel your swagger rise and keep going. You’ll see your dreams become reality!
As Christopher Reeve said:
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”
