Three S’s for Successful Living
by Kathleen Griffiths • Oyster Bay Cove

Most of us have had the satisfaction of setting and reaching a goal, so we realize that having goals leads to a full, rich and inspiring life. If your goals are well defined and written down, you have created a plan. Experts agree that a written plan is the best way to turn your dreams into reality. Recently, personal growth and leadership authors have espoused three new characteristics of what makes a plan work: Structure, Schedule and Support.

Structures are defined as any external system you put in place that enhances the likelihood of you taking the steps each day to reach your milestones, the markers that note your progress toward your goal. For example, how about your office environment– does it help to put your favorite music on? Is your desk clear?

What about dividing the preparation and the execution? If you set everything up the day before, you could get right into the flow of the calls the next morning. Often we avoid tasks because of the mental energy it takes to organize them– it’s not really the task itself we dislike. If we can get over the “set up” hurdle, we get into the flow of the task, whether it’s cold calling, financial control or any tedious but necessary project. Once we are into the flow of the task, it tends to become effortless and we lose the sense of time. We create positive feelings and are energized by our accomplishments.

You probably already use structures in your life right now– any practice that anchors your day is a structure, whether it’s online bill paying or organizing your desk. The idea is to consciously create structures that support you in the fulfillment of your current goals. Putting structures in place makes the execution of your plan and the attainment of your goal far easier.

Scheduling your plan is another critical element– it’s not just about having a dream– it’s about scheduling it into your calendar. Creating timelines for tasks with specific dates provides a road map for you to follow. Think about the simple act of scheduling a routine doctor’s appointment. Many times you don’t really feel like going when that day arrives– you might be too busy or too tired– but more often than not you go simply because you made the commitment. It’s the same with the tasks you need to take to reach your milestones and goals. If they are scheduled in, you are less likely to ask yourself if you feel like doing them that day. They are in your plan, so you just do them.

Secondly, scheduling your plan sends positive energy outward to support you in reaching your goals. A higher aspect of you created your plan to begin with– the part of you that wants more success in your life. Our higher selves are more connected to making our dreams a reality and more open to that journey being an effortless one. When we review our plan, even on unproductive, “off” days, we are reminded that our plan is who we really want to be. When we reconnect to our plan, it lifts our spirits and gives us the natural energy to go for our dreams.

Speaking of those unproductive days, it’s a good idea to schedule some down time into your plan. In her upcoming book, The Best Year of Your Life, author Debbie Ford addresses the importance of factoring in our “off” days: “Know that you are a human being and that there will be days when you just feel uninspired or too tired to go for your dreams.” She recommends that you listen closely to your emotional and physical needs on those days, as well as acknowledge yourself for what you have accomplished. She also suggests that you ask for external support.

For many of us, asking for support means “needing help,” and we equate that with dependency, weakness or inferiority. But have you ever noticed how much help the powerful, rich and famous have? Look at their entourages of Business Managers, Personal Assistants, Personal Coaches, Accountants, Agents, Personal Trainers, etc. Granted, they probably have more money than most of us, but what came first– the success and money or the helpers? Let’s face it, we all need help to reach our highest goals and lead our most extraordinary lives.

And support doesn’t have to cost anything. Each of us can look for support from our inner circle of friends and family. Sharing our goals and the details of our plan with our spouse, family and friends is positive and exciting. They are drawn to our enthusiasm and are happy to help us. By going for your dreams, you set an example that encourages them to go for theirs. So don’t be afraid to declare your commitment to your plan and to ask for specific support from key people around you.
If possible, also look at where it makes sense for you to pay for the support services of a professional. What parts of your plan are the most challenging? Would it make sense to pay for support and expertise in some of those areas? Would spending some money now make you a bigger success in the long run?

So get support– your life is happening now! Don’t wait for something to magically fall into place– choose to move forward. Identify and write down your plan, and then bring structure, scheduling and support into the equation– you’ll surely realize your dreams!

Kathleen Griffiths is a Master Integrative Coach, specializing in entrepre-neurs and small business owners, as well as a Registered Yoga Instructor. You can contact her at: kathleen@kathleengriffiths.com