Painting by Francoise Nielly

I’ve been re-reading one of my favorite books of all time, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and in the second chapter on desire, there is a method called Six Ways to Turn Desires into Gold. As I was reading, I realized that replacing the word money with success made a compelling plan to achieve the goals you set forth. See for yourself:

Fix in your mind the exact amount of success you desire. It is not sufficient merely to say “I want plenty of success.” Be definite as to the amount.

Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the success you desire. (There is no such reality as “something for nothing.”)

Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the success you desire.

Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.

Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of success you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the success, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.

Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read – see and feel and believe yourself already in the possession of the success.

These steps are so basic and really are the basis for achieving any goal. Yet, we so often make excuses and claim that we are too busy. Today is the day to define the path that you’d like to take and outline a concrete plan to make it happen.