When we leave school we got a vague understanding of how hard work in form of studying and organizing teaches you how to be successful. Our teachers tell us what to study, we get our act together and study like mad for success. A somewhat easy system. But what happens when we leave the safe tracks of school life? Suddenly you need to tell yourself what to do in order to get work done and be successful. These tips have helped me getting an understanding of how to direct yourself towards reaching your goals.
1. Get past your comfort zone. Working towards success isn’t comfortable.
It is 11pm already, you are tired but you should still be working on your project? Whatever it is: work, homework, an email, a call – it is damn tempting to simply postpone it till tomorrow and give in to your fatigue, turn netflix on and fall asleep.
This is where you need to be stronger than this need to give in. You know who ended up being successfull of my friends? Those who said no to afterwork drinks and long partynights in order to go home and work on their project. You can party later, when you have made it happen! Seriously, the more effort you put in the bigger the reward.
2. Don’t wait for the right moment to start. You will never feel ready.
I have this amazing friend who started this lovely vegan blog, but keeps postponing the launch. Her reasons? The website isn’t good enough, there is not enough content, she has too much work on my plate right now etc. I tell you what, in 2 months she will still feel that way, because it simply isn’t the right time ever.
You never feel good enough, or prepared enough, because you are just starting out and have little experience. And that’s perfectly fine and no one will laugh, because we all gotta start somewhere. Just do it. Juuuuuust do it. It’s all a big learning process.
3. Keep a journal in order to be successful.
I saw this with many badass women as I interned at a kick ass blog about Berlin. When you start your workday and all those tasks for the day got your head spinning, keep a bullet journal next to you and write them all down. Include important emails and meetings. This way you wont lose track of what needs to get done for the day. Sounds so simple but made chaos-me 150% more productive!
4. Be couragious. Go to to that event. Ask again for that job.
The only way I landed my dreamjob was by getting out of my comfort zone and bringing up some courage. When I got rejected the first time I applied, I kept asking politely, every following year, if they might need my support now. I just stayed in contact and made it obvious, that I am very passionate about this job.And now, two years later, they contacted me, offering me the position!
The same goes for networking events and promising meetings, bring up that extra courage and go. You can only thank yourself later. And if not, well, be amazed at yourself that you went!
5. Set weekly and monthly goals to help you keep your butt on track.
Something that I forced myself to do: Write up your monthly or weekly goals. Seems somewhat scary right? What if you don’t meet them, what if you end up being disappointed by yourself?
Well it’s exactly this fear that will get you to actually do something, in order to prevent yourself from being disappointed in the end. Write it on a clear piece of paper and stick it to your drawer or your bedroom door, where you can’t avoid seeing it. It keeps you updated and motivated!
6. Actually do work that gets you anywhere. Googling and planning is not work.
I know… reading blog post after blogpost on how to reach your goal might feel like it got you somewhere near it, but clearly, after 10 blog posts you are still in the same place.
Planning your way to success, mapping out your goals, organizing your day, plotting the tasks is great.. but dreaming of reaching our goal tricks our brain into sending out the same endorphins that would be released, when we actually achieve it. So for a lot of people, including me, planning used to be extremely rewarding.
Until I woke up one day and noticed that it didn’t get me anywhere. So realize the difference between dreaming/planning and actual WORK. Work is visible, work is trackable, work is ticking off difficult steps of your goal-list. Know the difference.
So..
If you want to be successful, be aware that the comfy life that you might know now needs to change in order to get you where you want to be. It takes a lot of hard work, long hours, little sleep, conscious breaks and dedication to reach your goals. But hey, when you are aware of this and ready to work hard, there is nothing in your way!
Good Luck loves!😊
