I'd been thinking about this more and more lately, and a text message today made it all clear.

My phone started chirping and I looked down and it said:

—–From —–
Jimmy
—-Message—-
I am a marathon finisher! 4 hours 29 minutes – woohoo!
—–End —–

I was beaming as if I'd run the darned thing. Why? Because Jimmy worked SO hard training to do it. He WANTED it so badly. And, I wanted it for him.

I think hard work should be rewarded. And, it oftentimes is.

But, there's more to it than that.

HOW did Jimmy do it?

1. LEARNING.
He read about marathons and studied up on what was necessary. What to do about stretching. What to wear. What to drink/eat. He didn't wing it.

I study and try to learn something every day from my mentors. I think the learning must continue. There's always something to gain, even if it's just a reminder of what you already know.

2. EXPERTS.
Not only did he read, he found information from people who had successfully run marathons. He didn't ask couch potatoes for advice. That would just be silly.

I've chosen to study people who walk the walk and don't just talk the talk.  (You might be amazed how many self-proclaimed experts there are out there struggling to get by.)

3. ACTION.
He didn't stop at reading. He *took action*. See where I'm going with this?

All the videos and audios in the world won't help your business until you ACT upon them. And act, and act, and act. Jimmy ran almost daily, whether it felt “fun” or not. Some days I don't want to come into my office, but I do it.

4. PERSEVERANCE.
He twisted his knee. He went through bouts of illness. And, he kept on going.

Wanna know how many times I've fallen on my face? More than I can count.

5. TELLING OTHERS.
He told other people what he was doing so it was harder to quit. He couldn't give up or else he'd have to explain to all of us why he wasn't going to do his marathon. He even told his lists! Talk about pressure. Those are some BIG lists.

I've told a few close friends the numbers that I hope to break this year. And, my husband does our books, so he knows all.

6. MILESTONES.
He set a schedule of things he wanted to accomplish along the way. 10 miles, 15 miles, etc.

My first goal years ago was the be able to pay the cable bill, then the car payment, then the kids tuition, then the mortgage. But, when I started earning more than hubby did — and then started paying my helpers more than I've ever made at a JOB — that's when I started to really feel successful. (Those were MY personal milestones for my situation. Thankfully I have set high goals, since hubby was laid off in May. My income has kept us afloat.) So, not bragging — just pointing out that setting milestones makes it very FUN to look back at how far you've come.

7. GOAL SETTING.
Jimmy didn't just say “I want to be able to run a marathon.” He chose one marathon and signed up. He couldn't postpone the marathon. It was a done deal.

Hmm… I'd better revisit this one.

And, so, he crossed that finish line. He did it.

You want to know what the first thing he probably did after he crossed the finish line was? Well, after he hugged and kissed his wife, Paula, of course?

I'm guessing that it was setting his next goal — even before got to the Gatorade stand.

Because THAT is what a successful person would do.

CONGRATS Jimmy!!!

Nicole

PS. Do you see how the list above also applies to your business? Many people don't set goals. They don't take action. They learn from the wrong people. Go through that list and see what you can apply to your business. If you need to publically set goals — write them below in the comments section. That's pretty public. We'll be sure to cheer you on!