Does Your Path to Success Feel One-Dimensional?

Do your dreams feel out of reach? Does your path to success feel one-dimensional? Are you climbing a path to success defined by someone else? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to take a step back and define your own unique 4-dimensional path to success.

Let’s start with “Success”. It’s a big word, a loaded word. Cambridge Dictionary defines success as: achieving results wanted or hoped for. Merriam-Webster defines success as: a favorable or desired outcome. Neither of these reputable sources say success is about making the most money, being the most famous or having the most power. Society created those interpretations of the definition for success. I challenge you to go back to the true definition of success and define your own unique vision for success. (In my recent blog post Are You Living Your Best Life I talked about steps you can take to create your vision for your ideal life design)

As you’re defining your personal definition for success it’s important to consider all dimensions of your life. We often think of success and career going hand in hand, but your career is only part of who you are. It’s only part of your success story. Who are you as a person, a parent, a son or daughter, a community leader, a role model?

Think of your life in 4 big picture dimensions:

• Personal / Individual
  
• Professional
• Family
• Community

Take a few minutes to define what each of these means to you. What is most important to you in each of these categories? How satisfied are you with each of these aspects of your life currently? What would you like each of these areas to look like? What would it take to get there?

Now let’s get into action planning. What goals do you have in each of the 4 Dimensions? What are the key milestones you want to capture? Remember some of these may be defined milestones such as graduation, or running a marathon on a set date. Others may be milestones that you put in place, such as going for a walk every day for the next 14 days. The key is to set SMART goals for each dimension:

• Specific – What exactly do you plan to do?
  
• Measurable – How will you measure your progress?
  
• Attainable – Is the goal realistic?
  
• Relevant – How is this goal connected to your life and big picture dreams?
  
• Time-bound – What time frame is realistic to achieve this goal?
  

Some of the dimensions may be easier for you to define and build goals for than others. You’ve likely set goals at work, but may not have spent time goal setting for your family or community. Remember there are no good or bad goals. These are YOUR goals; it’s what’s important to you!

“A goal without a plan is just a wish” – Jeff Rich. Make sure you take the time to build out a realistic action plan. The first step should be something you can do within the next week, ideally within the next day or two. Think about the domino effect; the first domino sets everything else in motion.

What first step will you take to set your life goals in motion?

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you create your unique vision for success and your personal 4-dimensional path to success, Click here.