Let me ask, what is success to you? To understand the meaning of success, I like to think of success as a journey.

If you would you like to know how to succeed in life, why not imagine going on a trip? Picture yourself at the wheel of your car. You’re packed, ready and raring to make a start. Now where would you like to go?

You can go for a drive just for the sake of it. You can enjoy the scenery. Or get a buzz out of travelling fast. I find that taking long drives on empty roads often clears my head. However, in order to make your journey worthwhile, it’s advisable that you decide on a destination. A destination gives you direction. It provides you with a goal, a target or an aim. And depending on where you ultimately want to end up, you plan your journey accordingly.

Planning is the key that will take you on your journey to your destination.

Now we’re all different, so it follows that we have our own style of doing things. If you were the adventurous sort, you would probably grab a few things, bring some cash and hop in your car. I admire adventurous people. They have such confidence. They trust that they would find whatever they need along the way. While the minimum of planning can be exciting, it can also be frightening and foolish. There is a greater possibility of getting lost. Of hitting dead ends. Or going around in circles. If you are the adventurous sort, don’t worry. I don’t doubt that as long as you keep your ultimate goal in mind, you will arrive safe and in one piece.

On the other hand, if you were wise, you would do more careful planning. You might take out a map and plot your route. You would check the news for the latest report on the weather, traffic and road conditions. And you will certainly make sure that your car is in top condition. Maybe fill up the tank with gas and monitor the engine oil levels. This way you’re less likely to get lost. And if you get a flat, you would have the tools and the spare to replace it.

Those who plan have the best chance of getting to their destination. That’s because when wise people plan, they usually plan for success.

Want to know how to succeed in life? Determine what type of planner you are. Do you set goals and make a step-by-step action plan? Have you ever thought of making a personal development plan? Or do you jump right into it and hope for the best? Most of us are somewhere in between being adventurous and being wise.

Planning keeps you on the right track. It helps you make the most efficient use of your time and resources. But even the best planners cannot always predict everything. Accidents happen. Roads get blocked. And detours are sometimes inevitable.

What do we do?

Simple. Focus on your destination.

Most of us use our cars every day. We drive to work, to the grocery or to pick up the kids. And every day, we come across obstacles such as traffic jams, flooding or dangerous drivers. In dealing with those day-to-day set-backs, we try to be pragmatic. As good citizens, we obey the law. We follow signs and speed limits. We give way and strive to drive safely. If the road is being fixed, we take a detour. And if we are lost, we ask for directions. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Little do we know that we also apply those practical skills for bigger things.

I find that as long as we keep our focus on our goals and dreams, we zoom in on a way to get them. And as long as we’re patient and resourceful, we will overcome all obstacles.

What is success? It’s just like taking a trip—an important trip. That’s because the kind of success you achieve will depend on the destination you choose and the detail of your personal development plan. Your goal or dream must be worthy of your investment of time and resources. It must be big enough to warrant going through the tough times and heartache along the road. So the next time you plan on taking a nice long trip, ask yourself: where are you going? What does this trip mean to you? Then plan it, persevere because, before you know it, you’re already there.

Hope you enjoyed this!

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