5 Easy Steps to Finding Your Success

Louisa May Alcott

One of my favorite authors, Louisa May Alcott, once said, "I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship."


Learning how to sail your own ship, but  also know how to chart a course that leads you to where you want to go requires some introspection. Taking the time to pull back, regroup, and determine where and how to spend your energies is always a smart move - especially when the winds begin to howl.


If you follow me on twitter or Facebook, you may have noticed a lot of quotes about thinking lately. I have just read the book How Successful People Think, Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by John C. Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell states "To become a good thinker, you must become intentional about the process. Regularly put yourself in the right place to think, shape, stretch, and land your thoughts. Make it a priority. Remember that thinking is a discipline." Now he tells me!


After a lot of thinking, this is what I came up with. Here are some simple steps that might help you setting your own course:

1. Clear Intentions: We need to know our true intentions before we can expect the universe to respond. What is our inner motivation? What do we really want? 
2. Chart a Path: What is the best way to accomplish and achieve what we desire? Start with the basics and then think outside the box. Brainstorm, then carefully select the path that feels right for you.
3. Know the Costs:What will this plan require of me? What sacrifices or prices must be paid physically, emotionally, mentally? Be realistic and brutally honest, now is not a time for spin. Are you willing to pay price and is it worth the cost? Saying yes to one thing, means saying no to something else. Best be clear with that at the start.
4. Set Boundaries: Know your limits. Work within a schedule, stay within a budget. Boundaries aren't fences, but are guard rails to keep you from going over the edge. If you do not protect your health, your checkbook and well-being - no one else will. Do not sacrifice what matters most for what matters right now.
5. Determine What Success Looks Like: If we don't know - how do we know when we get there? Is it a dollar amount? Is it getting published? Is it getting speaking engagements? Is it a Klout score or is it the family singing in a circle Kumbaya ? Whatever it is, we need to name it to claim it!

After going through this process, this is what I found:  Light bulb moment - I love connecting with people and personally helping them. I am passionate about helping people find their family history stories! 


Amazingly, I was contacted to speak after I made my intentions clear. The universe found me!


I will be speaking here:
Murray Family History Fair June 9th
UGA Cedar City Chapter Family History Fair Aug 18
UGA Family History Fair Sept 21-22


I was also asked to help at SCGS Jamboree's World on June 8th, answering questions for those interested in finding their ancestors in Japan. Yes, I will be flying in late Friday night to get back in time to speak in Murray on Saturday morning! Not good planning I know, but I really wanted to do both and am willing to pay the cost to do so this time. I am still a work in progress ok?


Knowing the costs, I realize that in order to make speaking profitable, I need to create products to sell. Which means that I am currently working on several instructional CDs and a book. To further reduce costs and to open other avenues, I will create a webinar and eliminate travel expenses. 


How about you? What is your happy thought? Is it researching, archiving, indexing, storytelling, speaking or writing? Knowing what you want, having a plan and determining the costs, setting limits will help you recognize success when you get there! Now, lets sing, kumbaya my brother....