What Is the Most Important Step You’ll Take to Achieve Success?

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” ~ Robert Collier

When a baby takes her first step, are the parents overjoyed because she traveled to a marvelous destination? Not at all! That first step means the baby is beginning to master a new skill she’ll use throughout her life. And when the baby plops down on her bottom, does she give up? No. Up she struggles and laughingly takes another step. How can reflecting on this help you determine what the most important step is for you to achieve success in your family, community, business, and life?

We all were like that baby…determined to take a step. We didn’t worry about where we were going or when we’d get there. That’s how we mastered so many complex skills and concepts. Then somewhere along the way we became insecure and impatient. We wanted instant success, without any hiccups. Fear of failure, perfectionism and thoughts of our own mortality started creating imaginary boundaries for our comfort zone, which effectively limited us.

The key to success is to start with your first step and consistently keep moving forward, as they build upon each other. In the big picture, your most important step is ALL of them combined! However, for today’s consideration, it’s the step that gets you started or keeps you going.

Difficulties in life can make us doubt ourselves. How can you rekindle your desire and courage to boldly step forward? Here are six different mindsets that can help:

1. Adopt the mindset that the journey is your life. Many say that life is a journey, but that implies there is a definite destination to be reached to achieve success and that there are difficult parts to be hurried through or avoided. Our definition of success is always changing. Otherwise, once we reach success, there’s nowhere else to go. We can get into trouble if we think one accomplishment, one job title, or one life choice is our entire identity. I suggest it’s good to have a desired vision in mind, but that you mindfully embrace the entirety of each day, whatever it brings and be thankful for it. This gives you the ability to be open to new opportunities.

2. Build a growth mindset. Become mindfully aware of the choices you make every day. Do they make you happy because they’re in alignment with your values and vision? Or are they draining, because you intuitively know that they’re leading you away from your dreams? Be willing to sacrifice for your personal growth, financially and otherwise. I encourage you to involve yourself in all forms of personal development, including emotional intelligence, physical fitness, and mental agility. Because what good is it to finally obtain a skill, but you’re in no shape to use it.

3. Create a proactive mindset. Be someone who makes things happen for you, rather than passively letting things happen to you. I encourage you to specifically list the action steps you need to take to get to where you want to go and then mindfully acknowledge your gratitude for each step, as it provides some knowledge and direction you need.

4. Develop an accountability mindset. An accountant tracks money coming in and going out. You are the accountant for something much more valuable than money. You are accounting for how you spend each precious day of your life. I encourage you to religiously keep a written record of progress and setbacks in key areas in your life, so you can celebrate the wins and make course corrections as needed.

5. Embrace a collaborative mindset. When you’re stepping forward in harmony with your vision, you naturally attract like-minded individuals. By joining forces with them, through partnerships, mentoring, or social interaction, you create a stronger energy that propels you forward. I encourage you to reach out to someone influential in your area of interest and make a meaningful connection.

6. Feed your focused mindset. Consistently bring your thoughts, words and actions back to your vision. Even with a clear vision, not knowing how the details will unfold feels uncomfortable. I encourage you to find the courage to follow your intuition and take each step, without needing to control or know exactly what’s going to happen.

I’d like to share a profound poem from my favorite poet, David Whyte.

 

start close in ~ david whyte

Start close in,

don’t take the second step

or the third,

start with the first

thing

close in,

the step

you don’t want to take.

Start with

the ground

you know,

the pale ground

beneath your feet,

your own

way of starting

the conversation…

If you’d like to expand and deepen your ability to keep taking your next most important step, consider joining our 3^rd annual Bring Forth the Leader Within Retreat. We’re gathering an intimate, like-minded group of women who are passionate about stepping forward into the life they envision for themselves