Be Prepared: 3rd Key to Unlocking Your Potential and Achieving Success

The third key to success is to be prepared. I think that way too often we are so consumed with ‘doing,’ that we forget what it is that we really want. We engage in relationships when what we really want is security. We settle for jobs we no longer love, when what we really want is to be independent. In order to reach more, it is important that every day, we show up prepared.

In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill describes the importance of knowing what we want in order to achieve it. Clearly, the key is to have a very specific and clear picture of what we want. As we pursue goals that are in line with our purpose, then it is expected that ‘all your thoughts break bounds; and your mind transcends limitations.’ Napoleon Hill is one of the leaders of the ‘thoughts become things’ mentality. You may have seen the website “tut.com” in which you can sign up for daily messages from the Universe. Nonetheless, there too you will see the message of ‘thoughts become things, choose the good ones.’

The power behind this message is comprised of three elements: 1. clear definition of purpose, 2. persistence and 3. burning desire. It is said that success is an attitude and that as you think and act success; you will attract success. Here too is important to mention that even ‘perceived’ failures bring opportunities with them, hence we should not be afraid of failing. I know that that particular frame of mind requires a lot of work at least to get it going, nonetheless, I am convinced that no one is ready to accept anything from life, until she believes she can acquire it. There has to be a true sense of belief and not mere wish or hope, which as described earlier, represent a status of victim and hopelessness. Remember, every failure provides the potential opportunity of an equivalent success.

So, having said that how do you go about being prepared? One of the quickest ways to achieve, is to set goals. I know that much has been said about setting goals and you have probably heard tons on this subject. My approach to setting goals is to shoot high. My coach told me once that there is magic in going for the greater goals; she said that there is plenty of competition and focus on the little ones, so she told me, go high; higher than you think you can.

In reality, we all set goals to some extent; the problem is twofold: first, we don’t stick with them because we don’t think about them long enough, I ask my clients to write them down. When you see them in writing and you revisit them often, it is higher level commitment. The other issue with goals is that give up too quickly. Nobody said that it will be easy; again requires commitment, dedication, passion….that is why it is important that you shoot for what you really want. Every time you make a decision to go deeper into your definition of what ‘you want’ or as you go about exploring what will it take, you are moving forward to being prepared. Prepared to achieve, prepare to receive and this is a key to unlocking your potential.

With your goals set up; with that clarity and determination; you must trust yourself. You need to know that each day you are moving in the direction of achievement. You should stop and celebrate each victory and remind yourself that no matter how difficult; you can do it.

‘Before something happens in the world, it must happen in your mind’ ~Anthony Robbins

See? When you set out your goals (yes, I live by goals- I’m a coach!) you are setting out your road map. All the possibilities are part of that map, all the alternatives, all the shortcuts and the rest areas, all the scenery and all the traffic jams. It is all taken into account and your plan is set knowing that you have what it takes to get there. That is what I call being prepared.

As you see your own success grow, with every little baby step and victory, goal setting will becomes a habit …and little by little your life gains momentum and goes from strength to strength….increasing your reaching muscles and at the same time giving you greater levels of confidence. Being prepared is paramount before taking any new responsibility; before making any new decisions; and the best part is that you can start where you are now as long as you have clarity, purpose and passion. Continue on your quest to discovery of ways to unlocking your potential. When you discover all you have within you and start using those assets as means to get you to your destination; you will experience success in everything you do. But if you are stuck and uncertain on how to unlock your potential, life coaching might be for you.

© 2010 Maria Martinez