Envision, Excite, Empower, Excel.

Is there a formula to get something done? I believe that there are many ways in which you can get something done. It all depends on what works best for you (which you may have figured out by now, or will need to figure out at some stage).

What I have used is this very simple approach, which I will share with you (while encouraging you to use these steps when you are looking at getting something done).
These four steps sound very simple, and they are. The key is to actually do them.

Let’s take a closer look at these four steps, and how they can work for you.

• Envision – it is said that every achievement (big or small) started off with a vision. In my opinion, everyone is a visionary. We all have our visions and we all do different things to turn our visions into reality. I would like you to start to envision. When I say “envision”, I mean, envision it in detail. What are your grand plans? Where do you want to be? What do you want to be doing? It is good to envision, as long as you envision things with a view to make it a reality. Author and speaker Mark Victor Hansen said “Visualising is realising. What you impress, you express”. While you envision, I want you to keep one word in mind – “possibility”. And when this thing called ‘possibility’ starts to revolve around your mind, you will start to look at life differently.

• Excite – once you have envisioned, get excited! Know that what you have envisioned has the possibility to turn into a reality. I get very, very excited when I envision my goals turning into a reality. If you do not get excited, you will keep that vision in its original form (a vision). Instead, that vision can turn into a reality. The excitement can give you more energy. The energy can propel you forward! I have said this before, and I will say it again – write down your goals. I write my goals every single morning. Why? Because they excite me! So, start getting excited about what you have envisioned.

• Empower – once you have envisioned and are gripped by excitement, I suggest that you work on empowerment. Why is empowerment important? Empowerment is important because it will help you sustain a mindset and an emotional state that will allow you to keep on keeping on, in the face of setbacks or adversity. Some of the simplest ways to build and maintain empowerment are:
- Make a list of your skills, talents, abilities.
- Make a list of all that you are grateful for.
- Make a list of the support that is available to you.
- Make a list of why you must turn your vision into reality.
Another very effective way to empowerment is to keep learning. Learn things that will help you to turn your vision into a reality. Acquire the right tools (tangible and intangible) that will support and enable you to turn your vision into a reality. Focus on what you can do, not what you cannot do. Focus on solutions, not problems. Focus on what is at the end of the line, not on what you have to go through before you get to the end of the line. When you are empowered, you see possibilities, not difficulties!

• Excel – this is the step where you have to be proactive, and take action! To excel at something, you must actually do it. All the theory in the world will not be enough. You must actually do it! Put into practise what you have learnt, use the excitement that you got from envisioning, use the empowerment that you have developed, and then take action. Your actions will serve you to excel! In a previous edition of Ideal Insights I mentioned “Motivation breeds motivation”. Likewise, excellence breeds excellence. Work with the aim to excel. Intend to excel. Whatever you have to do to turn your vision into a reality, do it with excellence. One of my favourite motivational speakers, Eric Thomas said “Do things in the spirit of excellence, and expect everything that comes as a result of being phenomenal”.

Please ponder on these four steps, and see if you can implement them into getting something done. At times you may not feel empowered or excited. During those times, keep envisioning and keep the picture of excellence in your mind. Aristotle said that excellence is a habit. That habit can take time to develop. Be persistent in developing that habit, and in developing yourself.

My belief is that each and every human being has something of value to offer (something that can create a positive impact). Envision, empower, excite, and excel in the process to offer that something of value to the world!

Quote: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle

I hope that I have given you a simple insight into how to use these four simple steps, and getting something done.

Inspiring you towards your excellence,
Ron Prasad (Author, Speaker, Life Coach & Executive Coach)