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Critical Success Factors |
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Critical success factors
cannot be specifically defined for the masses because success can be
defined quite differently by each individual, and for the goal at
hand. Therefore, in order to identify critical success factors, it
is first necessary to come to terms with your own personal
definition of success. Each individual’s own definition of will be
influenced by several key factors:
- Success is subject to individual interpretation based on
upbringing, past experiences, role models, personal motivations
and goals. For some it might be to own a home in an upscale
neighborhood, while for others it might be a career in the Peace
Corps. Carefully contemplate your definition of success based on
your values—not what your brother-in-law or Madison Avenue tells
you it is. Your own definition of personal success directly
influences critical factors leading to that success.
- Your view of success will change at various times throughout
your life. For example, what might be deemed successful in college
or on your first job is very different from successfully raising a
family or comfortably retiring in the Caribbean. Your definition
of success will continue to change, so don’t make the error of
pursuing an outdated version of it. Success factors will change
over time.
- Personal success is sometimes measurable and sometimes not.
Accumulating a certain amount of wealth is one way to measure
success, but it is not the only way; a successful marriage may be
far more meaningful to many people and can only be measured by how
the two partners feel about each other as the years go by.
- Very few people achieve success accidentally. Most people who
achieve success first defined it then planned for it; they set a
goal to achieve it. Critical success factors change with the goal.
Once you have defined personal success for
yourself, your next step is to set goals that will lead you to your
definition of success. You must create realistic, viable plans to
achieve those goals. Follow your plans, be flexible, and enjoy the
process. It’s not about keeping up with the Joneses. Here are five
success factors that will directly affect your success in achieving
any goal:
Critical Success Factor #1: Clearly
Identify your Goal
Clearly determine what the goal is. Be
specific.
- “To lose weight”
- “To lose 10 lbs. in a healthy way”
Critical
Success Factor #2: Identify the Obstacles
List all the
obstacles standing between you and the goal. Identify resources,
assistance, information or anything else that might be needed to
reach the goal. As you're writing, don’t get discouraged by the
obstacles– they’re absolutely necessary to help you with the next
step in completing your plan.
Critical Success Factor
#3: Know the Tasks Necessary to Overcome Each
Obstacle
Taking each obstacle one at a time, write one or
more ways the obstacle could be overcome. These are tasks that will
comprise your to-do list. Expect to have several tasks per obstacle.
Critical Success Factor #4: Assign
Deadlines
Assign a start and completion date to each task
in the plan. It’s ok to be working on several different tasks at the
same time, but don’t over do it. Be realistic.
Critical Success Factor #5: Follow the
Plan
If you use myGoals.com, by the time to you've
reached this step, you will have defined a GoalPlanTM.
Complete each task in succession. Revisit your GoalPlan often and
make sure to use your reminder system to keep you on track.
Additional Suggestions:
- If your success plan is too long or complicated, try breaking
it into several smaller, more manageable plans.
- Don’t rely on luck or things outside your control as part of
your success plan.
- Be flexible–expect your success plan to change before you
complete it. Circumstances change, unexpected events occur, and
your plan should be updated to adapt to changes. Use planning
software such as myGoals.com
to help construct your plan and modify it regularly.
- Seek the input of others who have expertise in the area or who
have completed a similar goal.
- Reward yourself for partial success as significant milestones
are accomplished.
Critical Success Factors: Tools &
ResourcesmyGoals.com (this Web site) was designed to
help you achieve personal success, regardless of how you chose to
define it. By helping you select and pursue personally fulfilling
goals, you create a clear, defined path to your own personal
success. myGoals.com's pre-made GoalPlans®, goal-setting
wizard, and email reminders are extremely effective tools for
creating viable plans and keeping you on track.
As
priorities change (and circumstances change), goals will change as
well. myGoals.com provides a convenient, flexible, and easy way to
manage your path to personal success. We encourage everyone to
pursue their goals with passion. Personal success is yours alone to
define, pursue, and achieve. We are here to help.
To learn more or sign up for a free
trial, visit our goal-setting homepage.
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