Dan Lillpop's Page

We live in an amazing time! Remember when it took hours and even weeks to get what we can now have in a matter of seconds or minutes? All of that is good and a tremendous blessing, but it has also conditioned us to want "instant" everything - even success.

Genuine success cannot be achieved with a "snap of the finger," or in an instant. True success takes time and requires effort - there is a price to be paid. But many don't want to pay that price and so they are constantly searching for shortcuts to the top. Take my word for it - there are no shortcuts that work. If you want genuine success, you have climb the Ladder to Success. Each of the rungs are important. Be patient and you will reach the top if you follow the plan.

Step 1 - What's Your Why? It's important that you identify and clarify your reason for desiring success in this area of your life. If your "why" is big enough you will find a way to overcome any obstacles (challenges) you will certainly face in your journey.

Step 2 - What's Your Dream? What is it that you really want to do? It has to be your dream. Be as specific as possible. When you reach the top, where will you be? What will you have? See it and feel it! Bring your emotions into play. Visualize your dream.

Step 3 - What's Your Goal(s)? Without definite goals, your dream will be nothing more than an idle wish. If you are to achieve your dream, what needs to happen? What steps do you need to take? Do your research and be specific.

Step 4 - What's Your Timetable? Take your goals and put them on a timetable. A failure to put deadlines and target dates for your goals will almost guarantee they won't be reached. Look at each of your goals and say to yourself, "Achieving my dream means I must do this by this date."

Step 5 - What's Your Plan of Action? What is it that you need to do every day if your dreams are to become a reality? What do you need to give up? What immediate sacrifices do you need to make for long-term satisfaction? Develop a clear and concrete plan of action for achieving your dreams.

One day Charlie Brown was in his backyard having target practice with his bow and arrows. He would pull the bow string back and let the arrow fly into the fence. Then he would go to where the arrow had landed and draw a target around it. Several arrows and targets later, Lucy said to Charlie Brown, "You don't have target practice that way! You draw the target and then shoot the arrow." Charlie responded by saying, "I know that, but if you do it my way - you never miss!"

Are you living your life like Charlie Brown - without definite direction and purpose, or have you taken aim at some definite and clearly defined targets? Focus your attention on genuine success with your life and begin climbing the ladder that will take you there.