virgin islands scene

Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
-- Alexander Pope
 

 

Tuesday, March 19, 1996

Taking stock of your progress

Success is a very personal thing. The only way you can measure your success is to look at the progress you’ve made toward your own goals. Your success is not defined by someone else’s goals, or by what other people think. It is measured by your own progress toward your own goals.

How do you know if you are successful? How do you know if what you are doing is working? You have to take stock on a regular basis. How often should you evaluate your progress? At the end of each day. If you’re going through the day and not making any progress, then you’ll need to change your approach. You also need to evaluate your progress on a weekly and monthly basis.

Success is a numbers game. And to succeed, you need to know your numbers. How much money are you making? How many people are you influencing? What’s your weight? Your cholesterol count? How much time do you have to spend with your family? How is your investment portfolio? You need to keep up with the numbers that define your goals. It’s the only way you’ll know if you’re on the right track.

If you’re not happy with the numbers, what then? What if your results aren’t up to your expectations? If you are truly committed to your goals, then the realization that you’re not making progress toward them will further strengthen your resolve. You’ll be disgusted and determined and that will inspire you to do whatever it takes. You can make adversity work for you. Make your disgust lead to inspiration, not depression, and you’ll have a powerful force on your side.

Remember that the world doesn’t care what happens to you. So you have to care. You have to know where you are, and where you want to go. Only then can you take responsibility for your own fate.

— Ralph Marston

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Copyright ©1996 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.