3 Steps to Success!

What does success look, feel, sound like or mean to you? What is the benchmark you use to determine your success? When we set an intention, it's for the end result we want to achieve. It's that big audacious goal out in the future someplace. Success, however, happens all along our path to the end result. For example, I set a goal last year to have a sexy, lean, fit body. That meant I had some weight to lose. My benchmarks were fit, lovely women in magazines. With a lifestyle change of eating less and exercising more, it was doable. All those photos are airbrushed anyway. As a life-long emotional eater, I shoveled down food to numb my stress. That created an unhealthy habit that needed to change if I was to meet my goal. I'm happy to say that I lost over ninety pounds and got down to a size 6. Was I happy? You bet I was happy! As the pounds came off, the stuffed down emotional baggage came up. Moving through those emotions required courage to continue rather than inhale a box of my favorite ice cream bars or cookies. I'm thrilled to say that my reason for losing the weight became more important to me than an immediate tasty pacifier. Did I feel like a success? Apparently not, since I ended up gaining ten pounds after keeping the weight off for almost a year. This is unfortunately quite common. Not just with a weight goal, but with any goal in life. I gained ten pounds because my body image did not line up with my benchmark. In the back of my mind I saw the picture of who I used to be rather than who I was becoming. Well, in this world of yo-yo dieting which is so bad for our bodies, I'm here to tell you the secrets to success – for any goal! 1.Set your intention. You must decide that not only is your goal attainable and you deserve it, but you must decide that you want it more than whatever has kept you from it in the past. If you are unable to do this, you will not be able to own your success. You have two options here: A.) pare back your goal into bite-size chunks that are believable for you or B.) get determined enough to make the changes in yourself and your life to achieve your goal. Remember to make your intention very specific and measurable so you'll know when you've achieved success.
2.You must trust that the moment you decide your intention is what you want, it is actually placed on your path in the future. Challenges that happen between now and the fruition of your intention are just things that, once you move through them, will transform you into the person you need to be to own your success. Keep your focus on the end result. Move through challenges with trust. Be wise enough to seek support if you need a helping hand through the process.
3.Take consistent inspired action to achieve your intention. When you're in action, your mind doesn't have time to analyze, doubt, worry, fear or help you procrastinate – all of which fall under the umbrella of perfectionism or self-esteem. Action calms doubt and fear. Inspired action means checking in with your higher self in meditation or whatever calming practice works for you to find the best actions that will move you toward your intention. It's a great idea to ask the following question before you take action: "Will this take me in the direction of my dreams, intentions and vision?" Then just listen, or get a feeling in your gut if it's the right thing to do or not. Check in with your intuition and follow it! It's easy to fall prey and chase time-wasters because "they" say a particular action is the best thing to do. Your inner guidance knows better than anyone what will get you to your intention in the best way possible for you. In what area of your life would success make the most positive impact? That's where I recommend you start. I invite you to celebrate your mini-successes along the path to your intentions. The celebration will boost your confidence and fuel your desire for more. Enjoy and celebrate the journey as well as your ultimate success!