Take stock and plan ahead

Compare
Now compare your assessment of where you are now with where you want to be. Are they close, or miles apart? Don’t be disconcerted if there’s a big gap. Remember that big gaps can be crossed in a remarkably short space of time.

Plan
Time to draw up a list of goals, to get you from where you are now to where you want to be this time next year. Work out what you’ll need to do and then break it down into smaller steps. For instance, if you want a promotion, do you need more training or to be brave enough to apply for it in the first place. Don’t put things like ‘work harder’, which are too general. Be specific – do you mean, put in more hours? How many? On which days?

Act
Now you’ve got the goals it’s time to act on them. Do this immediately. First of all you’ll be fired up with enthusiasm right after making your plan and realising what you truly want. Secondly you’ll be able to use the momentum to get your plan underway.

Keep going
The secret of success is to keep going – no matter what. Don’t let anything put you off. If you fail at first then get back up again and carry on. This is what successful people do and it works!

Don’t tell everyone your plans – some people may discourage you, and that won’t help. If you believe you can do it then you will do it.

Here's to your future!