PLANNING SUCCESS

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Success and failure are two sides of the same coin.  However, we need to look at both with a positive frame of mind.  As they say, failure is the stepping stone for success. Greater learning occurs from failure provided we can view it positively rather than blaming someone or something for our failure.

Success does not happen overnight.  We need to go through a series of pre-determined steps to achieve success.  Instead of dreaming about the outcome, desiring it, or fighting for it, all we need is to plan for it. The following pointers will help you in your planning for success.

Measure your Performance

All our activities are measurable. If any given activity is not measured, then it fails to become a goal. Success doesn’t come without achieving goals.

Whatever you do, do not go by what others tell you.  Be objective in your approach and measure your performance.

All performances can be measured through speed and accuracy.  Increase your accuracy in each trial and then try to reduce time to the minimum.  Suppose you are practicing to participate in a debate competition, see how many ideas you can put forth in five minutes.  First, work on the accuracy of your presentation of ideas and then try to reduce the time taken.

Set Realistic Aspirations

Set targets based on your performance.  Do not be too confident in setting goals nor be diffident. Be realistic.

Do not set goals based on someone else’s yardstick.  Set reachable targets.  For instance, if you can present five ideas in five minutes, see if you can increase it to six ideas in five minutes.

Improve your performance stage by stage

Work systematically so that you can reach the target.  Each time you practice you should be able to measure your performance.  Keep increasing your targets in small stages so that you can identify the mistakes and correct them.

In each stage, try to minimize as many mistakes as possible. The idea of practice is to eliminate errors and bring in 100% efficiency. Your success is highly dependent on your effectiveness.

Acknowledge your Achievement

Whatever you achieve, try to give credit for it.  Do not compare yourself with anyone else but yourself.  Your goal is to do better than what you did earlier and never better than someone else.  You are your competitor.

For instance, a person who gets second prize is disappointed. He or she is better than almost everyone except one. So, instead, s/he should take it as a great achievement and keep this performance as a springboard for further improvement.

Reward Yourself

Each time you achieve your target reward yourself.  You can generate a point system and you can keep giving points to yourself for each small achievement.  Keep track of the points and you will know how much you have improved your performance.

The reward need not be expensive. Just treating yourself to an enjoyable meal or going to a movie will also work well.

Obtain Satisfaction

Be happy that you can do something.  If you had not made any attempt, probably, you would not have done anything.  At least now you have been able to be proactive and it is in itself a joyful occasion.

Irrespective of whether someone else praises you or not, be satisfied that you have attempted and achieved something. This is far better than not doing anything at all. So, just ignore what others may say to you.

In short, by measuring your performance, setting realistic aspirations, improving stage by stage, acknowledging your achievement, rewarding yourself, and obtaining satisfaction you will be able to plan for your success.