How to Develop the Mindset for Success

Why do we often have great intentions of reaching our goals but don't quite get there? Even when we have a strong desire to get what we want, why do we still not manage to get it?

Lack of knowledge or resources is often the cause behind unrealized goals. Not knowing how to get started or feeling as if the goal is too big are very common road blocks. Many people will simply give up because the goal seems too overwhelming to tackle. Frustration and a lack of confidence are then by-products of unrealized dreams and goals.

Developing the mindset for success is crucial to realizing your dreams and goals. It means making a commitment to yourself to do whatever it takes to get there. It also means getting clear on what you want. Once you become clear on your outcome or end result, you'll be in a better position to determine what it takes to get the job done. The key is to look at what steps need to be taken and do whatever it takes (keeping integrity in tact) to get the job done.

I recently had a client who wanted coaching for help in achieving her goal of passing the veterinarian exam. She had taken the exam twice before and failed, so it was vitally important that she pass the next time. When we first met she was depressed, not only from failing the exams, but also from dealing with a nasty divorce. The following demonstrates what steps were taken for her to achieve her goal:

1. We first examined the area of self-care and how she was taking care of herself with regard to nutrition, sleep, her environment and stress level. She was on anti-depressants that weren't working and wanted off. We created a plan to increase her energy level and reduce stress so that it fit her hectic schedule of work and study.

2. We worked on strategies and solutions to deal with some of the emotional blocks that kept coming up for her. One of the key steps I teach my clients is to focus on their internal dialog so that it can be redirected to the positive.

3. I asked her about others she knew who had passed the exam. In doing so, we examined their behaviors and habits, all the way down to their body posture while studying.

4. We examined how much material needed to be covered so she could create a timeline to determine how much time would be required to cover all the material.

5. We worked on patterns of behavior that involved getting sidetracked and making excuses for the work not getting done.

6. We worked on developing the mentality of "doing whatever it takes" to get the job done. This is where most people give up because they are not focusing on the end result but rather the unpleasant task in the present. Sometimes it means pulling an all-nighter or giving up a social event in order to get the job done.

7. We incorporated visualization exercises so that she could "see" herself as a successful veterinarian.

8. And, finally, we worked on relaxation techniques so that her mind could easily retrieve the answers while taking the test.

About two months after my client took the veterinarian exam, I received a call from her minutes after she received her test results. She elatedly told me she finally passed the veterinarian exam!

My client passed the exam because she came to a turning point in our coaching sessions when she realized that if she continued her pattern of letting roadblocks get in the way, she would never achieve her goal. When she came to the realization that she would have to do things differently, she changed her mindset. When she made the decision to do whatever it took to realize her goal, she succeeded.

For information on how to get a free video that goes into more detail about achieving your goals, visit http://www.coachbeverly.com/Success-Gift.php or email Beverly at beverly@coachbeverly.com.