Regardless of age, place of residence, and career goals, many of us long for a happy and successful life. The meaning of success is more than just having money and achieving goals. A successful life means living your day by doing the things you love, making good use of your time, and enjoying the present.
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Part 1 of 4: Determining How to Achieve Success
Step 1. Determine the things you are interested in
In order to be successful, first determine what success means to you. While it may take many people years to discover what kind of life they desire, you can define a goal that makes life feel meaningful by defining your passions, interests, and core values that you believe in. If you're having trouble deciding on any of these, ask a friend or family member for help. To make it easier, reflect by asking yourself the following questions:
- What legacy can you give to your loved ones?
- If people remember you one day, what do you expect them to say about you?
- What do you do to improve community life?
- What are your favorite subjects that you enjoy? Decide on a subject that you enjoyed in school and then find out why you like that subject.
- For example, you like opera activities. Think about whether the motive is because you love music or because you enjoy working together in large groups to achieve a common goal?
Step 2. Write down all the goals you want to achieve and how to achieve them
Set short-term and long-term goals in terms of finances, work, personal relationships, self-development, new things you want to experience or learn. Determine the time limit when the goal must be achieved by making a schedule.
- Define goals according to SMART criteria. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound. So, SMART goals are goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, useful, and scheduled.
- Break down the main goal into several intermediate goals. For example, if your main goal is to travel the world, saving money and visiting certain countries can be intermediate goals to achieving your main goal.
Step 3. Live life in a way that helps you achieve your goals
To achieve the goals you dream of and become the person you want to be, focus on your actions. Ask yourself, "Are the actions I take able to support the achievement of my life goals that I aspire to?"
- If you're always feeling bored, daydreaming about the future, regretting the past, or counting down the minutes until you fall asleep, then maybe the activity you're doing isn't what you're interested in.
- Make the most of your time. Use your free time to do the things you love and don't waste time. For example, instead of spending your weekends watching TV, take the time to enjoy hobbies, hang out with loved ones, or make new friends.
- Measure productivity by how you feel, not by the results you get. Do interesting and fun activities because not all activities have to provide benefits in the conventional sense.
- You can spend time doing nothing and just lazing around all day. Take the time to imagine and reflect. Find a balance between doing the things you want and being yourself.
Step 4. Keep the promise
It's not enough just to make a plan because you also have to make it happen. If you ever tell someone you will do something, do it. Don't promise to do something for someone else if you can't fulfill it. Acknowledge your limitations.
- Don't cancel the appointment. Do not let you cancel the appointment twice to the same person.
- Make a promise to yourself and do it. Write a commitment to yourself on a piece of paper and stick it in a visible place.
- Make sure the commitment is able to direct you to the achievement of goals. Review your goals regularly to make sure you're moving in the right direction.
Part 2 of 4: Achieving External Success
Step 1. Be an educated person
Education is a source of knowledge, skills and credibility needed to develop to the highest potential. To measure success in the financial aspect, statistical data shows that the higher a person's education (eg higher degree), the higher his income.
- As per 2011 US statistics, the median weekly earnings for high school graduates is USD638, undergraduates are USD1,053, postgraduates are USD1,263, and USD1,551 for PhDs.
- You don't need to take formal education. Internships and long-term training programs are also positively correlated with higher earnings. Having a certificate from an educational institution is beneficial in increasing income.
- Take education while having fun. The more knowledge about life, the more questions that arise so that you are more interested in continuing to learn.
Step 2. Do good financial management
Whatever your income, financial stability will be maintained if you are able to manage your finances well.
- Record every payment transaction. Make a financial budget by subtracting monthly receipts from monthly expenses to estimate the amount of funds available at the end of each month. In addition, check your bank account regularly to monitor the use of money. This step is useful for preventing waste and ensuring that there are no transaction errors in bank accounts.
- Calculate the amount of net income. To determine the amount of net income, don't forget to take into account the amount of taxes and other deductions that will be deducted from your salary, such as insurance premiums, debt installments, etc. The figure obtained is the net salary that you will receive at the end of each month.
- Make savings. If the net income is not enough to pay the monthly expenses, determine the expenses that can be deducted.
- Start saving. Make sure you save money in a savings account every month. Suggest to the employer that he take a pay cut and deposit it directly into your account.
- Make an investment. If the employer enrolls the employee in a retirement savings program, deposit any surplus funds into the program.
Step 3. Manage time by creating a work schedule
The habit of delaying the completion of important tasks until time runs out is one of the causes of stress that increases the likelihood of mistakes and carelessness. Manage your time as best you can so that you are able to complete tasks effectively.
- Use the agenda to create daily, weekly, and monthly schedules.
- Set reminders on your phone and set up electronic alarms as a way to manage your time well.
- List all the things that need to be done on a given day and tick each completed task. This way, you can work on a schedule and stay motivated.
Part 3 of 4: Achieving Internal Success
Step 1. Enjoy the moment
You can't enjoy the things that are happening if you keep regretting the past or daydreaming about the future. Remember that things that have and will happen are only illusions. Real life is what is happening here right now.
- Monitor negative thoughts so that you are free from them and can enjoy the present. Whenever a negative thought comes up, you just have to admit it, label it as a negative thought, then let it pass by itself. The practice of meditation or concentration is beneficial in controlling the mind naturally.
- Get in the habit of paying attention to the little things around you. Enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin, feel the sensation on the soles of your feet when they hit the floor, admire the artwork in the restaurant as you dine. Paying attention to things like this helps you to calm your constant thoughts and enjoy every moment of life.
Step 2. Don't compare yourself to others
Unfortunately, there are still many people who feel the need to compare themselves to others as a way of measuring success. If you want to enjoy success and happiness, learn to respect yourself for who you are.
- Many people have a tendency to compare their weaknesses with the strengths of others. Remember that behind the seemingly perfect lives of others, lies tragedy, worries, and difficulties. Limit the use of social media so that you are not influenced and can focus your attention on more useful things.
- Instead of comparing yourself to people who seem "greater" than you, think of the homeless, chronically ill, or people living in poverty so you can appreciate what you have instead of feeling sorry for yourself. Take concrete action by engaging in social activities as a volunteer. This step can increase happiness and self-confidence.
Step 3. Count the blessings you have received
No matter how many achievements you have achieved, you will always feel dissatisfied if you keep thinking about the things you don't have. Instead, set aside time each day to appreciate what you have. Think of things that are more valuable than material things, such as appreciating loved ones and being grateful for happy moments with them.
Part 4 of 4: Achieving Success in Every Aspect of Life
Step 1. Take care of your health.
A healthy body is an important aspect of having a healthy mind. Therefore, apply a healthy and balanced diet so that the body gets the nutrients it needs. If you experience problems with your daily activities, such as lack of energy or difficulty concentrating, consult a doctor, nutritionist, or therapist to find out and treat the cause. Exercise regularly by choosing a physical activity that interests you.
Step 2. Take advantage of the available opportunities
If there is an opportunity to excel, make the most of it. If you're worried that you're running out of time and energy, ask yourself: does this auspicious opportunity support the achievement of my life goals? If the answer is yes, try to make the most of the opportunities that exist.
- Remember that opportunity comes only once and will never come back.
- Don't spend all your savings or quit your job right away. You only need to commit to it when you get the chance to be successful.
Step 3. Interact only with positive people
Make sure you make friends with people who are worthy of admiration because they are happy, kind, generous, successful in their careers, or successful in other fields. Join a community whose members have already achieved what you aspire to or are trying to achieve the same goal. Don't let envy get in your way because other people's success is not a threat to yours.
- When you want to befriend someone, consider whether it makes you motivated, positive, and confident or makes you feel tired, overwhelmed, and incompetent. Spend time only with positive people, not with energy draining people.
- Limit interactions with friends or family members that you're always bothered by. Don't be in relationships with people who hold you back, create stress, or take up a lot of your time and energy for your own self-interest.
- Look for mentors among people worthy of emulation. Ask for advice or advice from community members who are willing to share knowledge.
Step 4. Set boundaries when interacting with other people
Respect your privacy. Show concern for others, but don't want to be mistreated. Being a good person doesn't mean taking it for granted when others are violent or disrespectful to you.
In return, respect the boundaries that other people place on you. If those closest to you say they need privacy or want to be alone, fulfill their wish
Tips
- Look for inspiration through inspiring things, such as music, photography, fashion styles, current events, etc. The right source of inspiration is the most useful motivator.
- Having a positive personality that is worthy of imitation can be a source of motivation that keeps you focused on the goals you want to achieve. You can choose people you know personally or other people you don't know as role models. Take advantage of his life experience as a learning material and model his work ethic.
