Success In Coaching: July 2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The Question of Purpose

“An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding; and it is not to be found in foreign lands, but in the heart itself.”

– Robert Louis Stevenson

(1850-1894) Author

"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

- God Almighty

Jeremiah 29:11 / NASV

It is deep within the human heart to have a purpose. Everyone needs to know that their life has some meaning and there is a reason for them to be on this planet. A good example of this happened a few years ago when Pastor Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life was released. Published in 2002, in just five years it sold over 30 million copies. What was the reason for this amazing interest in this book? People need a purpose.

Those who do not believe they have a purpose soon become self-destructive, and empty. Many will take their own life because without a purpose, there is no reason to live. Success-minded people know they have a purpose and that it is good. They understand that they were created to achieve and to fulfill a unique and wonderful destiny. That is not only reason to live, but reason to excel in life.

The question of purpose

This sense of purpose is why I have found the most common question asked by those who come for coaching or after I speak about achieving dreams is, "What is my purpose in life?" I am asked that more than any other question. "What am I here to do?" And my answer is often the same, "What do you want to do?"

Purpose is not a secret

I do not believe that our purpose is a secret that we have to try and discover, nor do I believe that it is something that we will hate and suffer with. I have found many people who cannot believe that God would create them to do something they love. In fact, many will not follow God in fear that if they do He will send them to the deepest parts of the jungle to be a missionary. If God sends you to be a missionary, He will first make being a missionary the thing you want most in the world.

What do you want to be?

This same principle applies to all areas of life. What is your dream? Is it to be a life coach, to own your own coaching practice perhaps? Maybe you have a burning passion to be a writer, teacher, doctor, lawyer or athlete. When you find that desire you will find your purpose. "But how can being a business person be a purpose? Isn't that self-centered and shallow?" Absolutely not. Where would the world be without those who create, develop, and conduct business? Everyone has the opportunity to make the world a better place, to do the impossible and change it all.

Never put limits on purpose

Never sell yourself or others short with limited thinking. I believe we all have a purpose that fits into God's great plan for mankind. What is that plan? I have no idea. I am not God nor can I even attempt to understand Him. Anyone who says they can or that they know the plan of God is lying or delusional. I do know this, God is good and He loves us more than we could ever deserve. I do not need to know or understand His plan to trust Him in it.

What is your dream? What is your purpose in life? You do not have to go all over the world to find it. You do not have to look to others to tell you what it is (in fact, that is the one thing you do not want to do). It is where it always has been, in your heart. Ask yourself, "If I can do anything, what would it be?" Then do that thing! Your life will have meaning, drive and purpose. What a wonderful life you will have!

You matter to the world. You are here to make a difference and that difference is good. Remember the qualities of a real success-minded person: Be your best. Love God. Have good manners. Discover the unknown. Change the world.

John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, and Life Coach. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com. © 2014 John Patrick Hickey

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

To Do or Not To Do What Your are Told

“The two kinds of people who never get ahead are those who will not do what they are told and those who do only what they are told.”

– Napoleon Hill

(1883-1970) Author/Speaker

"A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will

acquire wise counsel."

- Solomon

The Book of Proverbs 1:5 / NASV

Let me make a wild guess. If you are reading this , you are human. I do not believe that any other creatures on the planet will be pulling blogs up on their computer and reading them. Having guessed that correctly, now let me make some assumptions about you. You are most likely a life coach or have an interest in coaching. Many or your clients, as well as yourself, consider themselves success-minded people. I think that you are all creative, goal driven and able to achieve the things you want. At the same time, you and your clients may fall into one of the two categories that Hill mentions in the quote above. You are obedient and do just what you are told or you are defiant and do not do what you are told.

So why are these two conditions a disaster for success? Let's look at them one at a time and see some very obvious flaws that show up.

1) Those who do not do what they are told

Those who do not do what they are told may see themselves as independent thinkers but they tend to prove themselves to be foolish. For one, if someone has come for coaching, and they show a lack of willingness to follow the directions that you are giving, they show themselves to be defiant, untrustworthy and unreliable. All are not qualities of a successful person. Those who always think they know best are those who usually know the least and therefore never achieve the success they seek. Of course, they are also the ones who believe their lack of success is everyone else's fault. These are the ones who will claim you are a poor coach rather than they are a poor client.

2) Those who only do what they are told

Those who do only what they are told show that they do not think for themselves, are not creative and will never give more than they have to. Total obedience is often as much a sign of rebellion as those who never do what they are told. It is a way of saying that you only get what you ask me to do; no more. These people are expecting the coach to do all the work for them and are unwilling to think for themselves. Their work tends to be nothing short of mediocre; and no one pays for mediocre.

3) Those who achieve success

A truly success-minded person understands that it is a sign of good workmanship and faithfulness to do what their coach has asked them to do. When given an assignment to carry out, they do it to the letter and do it the best that they can. They also know that good work does not stop with doing what you are told. Success-minded people understand the principle of going the extra mile. That is when you use your creative thinking to do even more than you are asked. You do the extra, the better job, not for a reward (although they do come to those who show they earn them) but because you strive for excellence in all you do.

Help your clients to be the person who knows how to follow direction and how to do what is asked of them. Add to that their creative thinking and abilities that will give the end product as something far beyond what was expected. The task is done, but it is done with excellence and skill, every time. You will find that the success of your clients, and yourself will be in greater amounts than what was expected. This is a principle that always works both ways. Try it and see if I am wrong.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Five Keys to Move from Fussing to Doing

“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do.”

– Dale Carnegie

(1888-1955) Author/Speaker

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world."

- Saint Paul

Philippians 2:14-15 / NASV

Here is a fact that most life coaches have learned to be true: The people who complain the most do the least to make things better. It is just a hard fact. I think this is best proven by one look at social media. Every day we are blasted with people complaining about the government, social conditions, the economy and about other people. The complaints may even be legitimate, but they offer no answers.

I believe that it was Henry Ford who said, "If something is wrong, fix it. Don't complain." It does no good to constantly be telling folks what is wrong in your life if you will not do something to make it better. So as not to be guilty of the same wrong I am now pointing out - allow me to help you give your clients an alternative to complaining.

1) Think before you complain

Some people complain just because they want something to say. In fear that no one will notice them they think up all the problems they see and give them out like gifts. Well, if you want to give a gift, give one that will matter in someone's life. Try encouragement. Ask your client to look around and list what is being done right. There is a lot of good stuff out there. Let people know that you appreciate the good job they are doing or the pleasant attitude they have. Your clients will find that the more they encourage others the more they will feel encouraged.

2) Do something to make a difference

Do not fall into the old trap of thinking, "There is nothing I can do." There is always something you can do. I love the thinking of American writer, Anthony D'Angelo who said, "Realize that if you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." By just being a better human being you make society better. Help your client to be creative and think of what they do that can make the life of those around them better, more comfortable or safer.

3) Make an immediate effect - stop complaining

Ask your client to think of how their day would go if in the morning they clicked on to their favorite social media site and found nothing but good news! No complaints of how bad things are getting or pictures of the dead and dying. Rather they see words of encouragement. Words that encourage them to live well, be safe, help others, do good deeds and change the world.

4) Make a difference

I am not saying we need to bury our heads and ignore the wrong or injustice in the world. I am saying that complaining about it does absolutely no good at all. Do something! Be an active person and give all you have to make the world better. Be a light in the darkness, don't just complain that it is dark. You and your clients must understand that you can make a difference. You just may be the person that will change it all. You may be the one to come up with the thinking we have all been waiting for. Someone has to do it, why not you?

5) Make an effort to make things better, not to point out the obvious

Help you clients see that they must start with the only thing they have the power to change - themselves. Be positive. Be productive. Be an example of goodness and right living. Be a giver. Make people laugh and smile. Care for those who need care and be willing to give a loving kick in the butt to those who need one. I believe that Billy Graham summed it up perfectly when he said, "Read the Bible. Work hard and honestly. And don't complain."

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Understanding Responsibility

“We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”

– Ronald Reagan

(1911-2004) Former U.S. President

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

- Saint Paul

2 Corinthians 5:10 / NASV

I have written before about my young friend who I would go visit in the state prison. He made many foolish and destructive decisions in his youth and did much wrong. However, one day he became a Christian. This was not a jailhouse conversion. In fact, he became a Christian before his arrest for crimes he did earlier that caught up to him. He was tried, found guilty and sent to prison. He was also the first to tell you, he did the crimes and deserved what he got. That is not such a common story in prison.

I talked with him for many years and saw in him a quality that I do not always see in people who enjoy full freedom. For one, he was one of the most grateful people I have ever known. Truly grateful for every kindness shown him, for the sun coming up in the morning, a cool breeze or a walk in the prison yard. He was also one of the most responsible people I have known. He did not blame his misfortune on society, others or the God he loved dearly. He knew he was the one who did wrong and he was the one who must pay for it.

You do not have to go to prison to learn responsibility for your actions. I believe it does make the consequences of our action a bit more real, but I would not recommend it to your coaching clients. All it really takes is a bit of thinking and common sense. It is realizing that everything you do, good or bad, has a consequence. To every action there is an equal reaction. Nothing is without some kind of effect. It is like dropping a stone in a pond, it will always cause ripples.

Help your clients - and yourself - ask the all important question, "Am I willing to live with the consequences of my action?" If you really think about that before you act you will many times make better decisions. Responsibility is not for the weak or cowardly. Responsibility means that I understand that the action I take will have an effect and I am willing to make that a good effect by making a good decision. People who are responsible understand that they have much more to gain in life than to lose.

Responsible people do make mistakes. However, they learn from them, take ownership of them and turn them into victories in life. Being responsible is an act of courage. It take a brave heart to be willing to own their actions. Responsible people can be trusted and therefore tend to succeed in all they do.

Responsible people are people who are in control. They do not have to fear being caught, looking over their shoulder to see who is watching them or create lies to cover bad decisions. They know that they own their actions and therefore they are in control of their own life and that life is good.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

4 Things Never to Tell a Young Person

“Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing.”

– G.M. Trevelyan

(1876-1962) English Historian

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

- Saint Paul

1 Timothy 4:12 / NASV

I would honestly say that some of the best experiences I have had as a life coach has been coaching the young. When I was a Pastor, I often had the young people from our youth group come and talk with me. It started with one or two and then the word got out that I listened and did not control them, and soon more and more decided to trust me. When it come to coaching young people, trust is everything.

Teens and young adults have a hard time of things in this world we live in. They are told to pursue their dreams and by the same people, told they need to be practical and realistic. They are give answers in school, church and at home to questions they never ask. The questions they do have are often considered unimportant, silly or needless.

I have learned that there are really four things that we, as coaches, pastors or adults in general, should never tell young people.

1) They must abandoned their dreams

I have talked with enough young people to know that some of their dreams can seem pretty far out there. However, I also know that they can be the seeds to great things in their lives. Right now, being a rock star may seem like a real dream for them, however this can lead to many other important destinations. God has placed in each of us our purpose in life from birth. When we are young we do not really understand what our dreams mean, but we know they do mean something. Never discourage or degrade the dreams of the young.

2) They cannot do the impossible

As the English historian, G.M. Trevelyan said in our opening quote, "God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible..." Everything we have and see was once considered impossible. What would have happened if young men and women like the Wright brothers, Ford, Edison, Curie, Meir and thousands of others were convinced that their belief in the impossible was foolish? You do not know what God will do in the life of another person. I would rather encourage a foolish dream and be a part of something great than to bring a young person back to reality and be a part of nothing at all.

3) They need to grow up

When an adult tells a young person that they need to grow up, they are really saying they should be like them. I can tell you with all certainty that is outside of the will of God for them. If God intended them to be you they would be you. They have their own path to discover and that discovery comes when we are young. Don't be in such a hurry to rob youth of their youthfulness. There is a reason after all why we grow the way we do.

4) They are too young to understand

The witty Irish writer, Oscar Wilde said, "I am not young enough to know everything." I know that the young often seem to think that they do know everything, however, they do know more than you think they know. When we tell a young person that they are too young to understand, they hear, "You are too stupid to get it." Rather than telling a young person they don't understand, help them to understand. Give them the guidance and encouragement to see life as it is and as it could be. Paul did not tell a young Timothy to learn from all the adults around him, rather he told Timothy to be the example.

Our youth will one day run this crazy world we live in. It is up to those of us who can touch young lives and pour into them the encouragement and values that will make it a good change. Believe in the young. Believe in their dreams and help them to find "their" way in the purpose God has given "them" to do.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Set Up for Success, Never for Failure

“You cannot coach a player to achieve something that he or she isn't committed to achieving.”

– Germaine Porche' & Jed Niederer

Authors

"...On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

- Saint Paul

1 Timothy 4:7-8 / NASV

Life coaching can be one of the most satisfying professions in the world. You are allowed to come alongside people who have dreams and desires and help them find ways to make those dreams and desires become reality.

Life coaching can also be one of the most frustrating and thankless jobs that one could choose to follow. You invest time and energy into people who do not listen to your advice; who make the same mistakes over and over again; and who have no intention of every really succeeding at anything. They are willing to pay you for your service, but they are not willing to actually follow the advice they pay for.

So where is the balance for the life coach? At what point do you see your work as a way to earn a living and when do you see it as a waste of time and energy. This question seems easy to answer, but hold on. For the person who have launched out into coaching and it is their livelihood, the bold statement of "I do not do this for the money" takes on a who different perspective.

Money Has It's Part

Don't get me wrong here. I do not believe that most coaches are in this for the money. Most have a deep desire to help people and feel this is what God has called them to do. I also don't believe that people who seek coaching desire just to give their money away and get nothing back for it. Most who seek out a Life Coach desire to move forward and expect to do so. What I am saying however is that we all are faced with those who do not follow advice, who do not intend to succeed in life and who do pay our salaries.

Getting To Know You

One of the best things any coach can do for themselves and for their clients is to cover this issue before there is any agreement to coach and before any money or time is spent. When I have a new client I always allow our first meeting to be free. They know when they come to me that this meeting is just a "get to know you" time. I am not there to coach, advise or give assignment. We talk for only 30 minutes so I know if I can help them and they know if they want me to.

What Are The Expectations

Let your perspective client know that you have no desire to waste their time or money. You will not be doing the work for them, but will coach them along the way to achieve their dreams and desires. Let them know that you will be giving them work to do and that you expect them to do it if they want to make this relationship successful. This way you have stated your expectations and they have also allowed you to know what they expect from you.

Never Set Up For Failure

Never fear or hesitate to let a perspective client know that you do not believe you will be a good match. If you expect that they do not intend to follow you help, or that it is just not a good match, do not agree to coach them. Help them find another coach that can help them or even let them know that they are not ready for coaching at this time and look you up later.

You will save yourself a lot of trouble, time and energy by just being a bit more selective in your clients. Yes this is your business and it is always hard to turn business away, however, the price you pay now is nothing compared to what it would cost you to have a stream of failed clients. Author and speaker Zig Ziglar wisely said, "You don't pay the price for success - you pay the price for failure. You enjoy the benefits of success."

Thursday, July 10, 2014

A Little Help Makes A Big Change

“All coaching is, is taking a player where he can't take himself.”

– Bill McCartney

Coach

I have to admit, there are some books I have read on coaching that were excellent and extremely helpful. There were others that, frankly, made the whole process so completed and involved that I just wanted to give up all together. Have you faced that dilemma? Have there been times that you find the coaching process so complicated that you know you are not ready for this and it might be best to seek another profession?

I have good news for you. Life Coaching is not that complicated. In fact, it is a very natural process. Coaching is just a case of helping people achieve things in their lives they cannot seem to do on their own. We all need help from time to time. Even the coach needs help. Coaches are just people who have a passion to help other people. They are the ones who give that little push some need to get things going. They are not therapists, prophets or police. They are not telling people what to do, they are helping them do what most already know to do.

This is not saying that coaching is so simple anyone can do it and there is no need for training. Believe me, and I know you are well aware of this, not anyone can coach. There are people who may have great knowledge, but no compassion or desire to work with others. Since coaching is helping people to do for themselves what needs to be done, it takes very special people to do it. Good coaches have two very special qualities.

1) Coaches desire to help others succeed Studies have shown that Life Coaching is very effective in giving those who wish to make a change in their lives the needed backing to move forward. We all know that there are many things that we do not understand or even know about in life. Take being a coach for example. When coaches call me for help it is usually in how to develop and build their coaching practice. Why do they need help? Many know how to help others and how to be a good coach, what they do not know is how to build a business. They need help in that area. Many others just need a bit of confidence building to help them venture off into that very scary frontier of self-employment.

2) Coaches are there to support, not do the job As a coach, your job is not to fill out their paperwork, develop their business plan or set their goals. Your job is to help them organize their thoughts and develop their habits to do all this themselves and still enjoy the process. That is what a coach does. We do not have to have all the answers, only the right questions to get all the answers. People are usually amazed on just how much they already knew, they just needed help in seeing it.

As you develop your coaching practice, remember that you are there to help, not to know it all. If you have a heart for others and desire to help them succeed; if you trust in God for direction and keep your heart and mind open to Him, you will be a great coach.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

5 Goodies to Feed a Creative Mind

“Since new developments are the products of a creative mind, we must therefore stimulate and encourage that type of mind in every way possible.”

– George Washington Carver

(1864-1943) Educator

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things .”

– Saint Paul

Philippians 4:8 / NASV

Every living thing needs to be fed. What does not get fed, dies. Simple truth, but very important to know. You have to feed your dog, your kids, yourself and your gold fish. However, it is not just giving things something to eat, it is giving the right things to eat. We do not feed our pets the garbage (unless you are raising pigs and then you may). You feed your children and yourself good food because you know that will keep you healthy. Well what about your mind? What do you feed your brain?

In coaching, if you had a client who was living off Twinkies and sick all the time you would quickly tell them to change their eating habits. Well what about the client who's thinking is sick? The best thing you can do for them is get them on a healthy thought diet. One that will make them strong, healthy and full of energy. Here are five things that are fun and healthy for anyone's brain.

1) Encourage lots of positive thoughts

If you want to feel good you need to think good. Positive thinking is more than just thinking you can make it and a goal can be reached. It is the things that St. Paul recommended when he said to think about things that are good, lovely, or good repute, wholesome and kind. How do you find this nourishing menu? Listen to positive and up lifting music, speakers and watch healthy shows and movies. Read the Bible and inspiring quotes and blogs. The more good and positive stuff you feed your mind the more positive and good your thought will be.

2) Encourage having lots of ideas

People do not always think much about ideas. That is because they are so common. You will have hundreds of ideas in the course of the day. The best way to use ideas to help and strengthen you is to start paying attention to them. If you get an idea, no matter how wacky it may seem, write it down and think about it. Many times these wacky ideas become the foundation for some great, life changing ideas. Remember the words of Albert Einstein who said, "If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it."

3) Encourage lots of reading

Great thinkers are great readers. Reading is the best food we can get into our heads. It is tragic that so many people never bother to pick up a book. I once heard a man say that he got his college degree and now he doesn't need to read. That shows he may have a degree but he is far from educated. You have access to more great material than anyone, no matter how great and powerful, has ever had in the history of mankind. Use it. Make reading a daily activity.

4) Encourage lots of exposure to beauty.

Beauty has a way of inspiring, motivation and calming us. We were created to respond to beauty. The thirteenth century Italian poet, Dante Alighieri wrote, "Beauty awakens the soul to act." Success-minded people should have a regular and healthy diet of beauty in their life. Go for walks in the woods or in the country. Visit art galleries and museums. Listen to beautiful music and read poetry along with great works of literature. Beauty is all around us so you never need to be without it as part of your daily life.

5) Encourage lots of thinking

"Thinking is the hardest work there is," said Henry Ford, "which is probably the reason why so few engage in it." Thinking is not some involuntary act that the body does without effort on your part, like breathing and digesting food. Thinking, real, productive, thinking, is a deliberate act and you must make it happen. Take time to think. Go for a walk, sit in a quiet room or engage in an activity that stimulates your brain - like taking a shower. The more you think the better your thoughts will be. Work things out in your mind. Keep it positive, productive and never fear adventure.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Making Hard Decisions

“In our day, it is considered worse to judge evil than to do evil.”

– Os Guiness

Author

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”

– Saint Paul

Romans 12:9 / NASV

We live in a day when we are faced with decisions and choices that, at least for some of us, we never thought would be an issue. As coaches, we have many different people come to us for help. Some are a joy to work with and some a real challenge. The struggle comes when we have to take a stand over social issues that we cannot, and really should not avoid.

Even as Christian coaches we must deal with homosexuality and gay marriage, addictions of all kind, dishonesty, abuse and more. These are the issues that face people today, and even though they may not be the reason they seek a coach, these issues effect their lives and therefore must be dealt with. Here are a few of the ways that I have deal with these issues over the years.

Be open, up front and solid about your faith

I always let people know that I am a Christian and that my faith will direct all I have to say to them. I do not accept the idea that if they are not a believer in Jesus, that I need to respect that and not bring my faith into it. If my faith is a problem for them then I suggest they find a coach who they can work with. I respect all people and I do not insist that they believe as I do, however, I am a Christian coach and if I give them anything less I am not doing them the service they are paying for.

Stand on right and wrong

No matter what the popular opinion may be, there is absolute truth, absolute right and absolute wrong. Truth does not change because the ideas of a society changes. Right is never wrong and wrong is never right - never. You will find that many feel very comfortable when they know that they can trust where you stand. If you are willing to allow wrong to have a foot hold you are disserving your clients. A coach cannot allow someone to guilt or pressure them into compromise.

Love people and help them all you can

I want my clients to know that I really do care about them, no matter who they are, what they have done, or what they are dealing with. I want to help them to succeed and achieve their goals. This means that is they are a prisoner to sin, I will let them know how to find freedom, I will not ignore it. As Christians we know the answer to these difficult and troubling issues. May we be free to share them and to help others find the freedom we have in Christ.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Four Ways to Bring an Idea to Life

“A good idea is like a wheelbarrow; it will go nowhere unless you push it.”

– Unknown

“Then the Lord answered me and said, 'Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.”

– Habakkuk the Prophet

Habakkuk 2:2 / NASV

You may have had clients, or even yourself, who have ideas that seem to burst inside them. We have all experienced it. We are walking along, sitting in a room, taking a shower or even sleeping when all of a sudden you come up with a really great idea. You just know inside that this is the big idea you have waited for all your life. What happens? Most likely, if you are like most of us, you put it off and say you will deal with it later; however, later never comes and soon you forget it all together.

What makes this most frustrating for most of us is that it never returns to us again. It is lost and gone and we missed the big one - again. So how do we keep this sad occurrence from happening again and again? I have four simple, yet vital, steps to capture and bring those ideas to life.

1) Write it down right away

Do not wait till later or till morning or till you are done with what you are doing. Right now, this minute, write it down in as much detail as you can. I never go anywhere without a pen and some paper in my pocket. Of course, now we are all equipped with phones and tablets that will do the job for us. No matter what it is, write it down right away.

When we write an idea down we are breathing life into it and giving it substance. It is no longer just a thought but it has become a real live idea that can grow and develop. There is nothing more important that a person can do than to write down their ideas while they are still fresh.

2) Take action

Once you have written the idea down, do something, anything, within 24 hours of the idea. Do not wait any longer than 24 hours or you will miss it all together. This step is as vital to your success as is writing the idea down. Find something to do and do it right away.

3) Take more action

Now that you have things moving forward from the first action step you took, keep it moving and do the next thing. There is always a next thing. Again, it does not matter how small or large it is, the point is that you are still taking action and getting this idea going.

4) Take even more action

By now you are well on your way on a journey to achievement. You have started the process of success and didn't even realize it. You cannot stop now. You have to keep following the steps all the way to the achievement of the goal.

You will find that following these steps will breathe life into your idea. You will feel the fires of passion that come from a worthy goal and desire and you will achieve things you never even thought you could.