A Roadmap to Success: Three Key Principles

Develop a Strategic Plan

Imagine receiving a letter from your future self, dated three years from today. In it, you vividly describe the life you're living: the place you call home, the adventures you've embarked on, the clients you've served, and the financial abundance you've achieved. Every detail, from the sights and sounds to the emotions you experience, paints a picture of your ideal future.

Now, take a moment to write that letter to yourself. Envision where you want to be three years from now and let your imagination run wild. Describe the milestones you've reached, the challenges you've overcome, and the successes you've celebrated. Be as specific as possible, allowing yourself to dream without limitations.

Once you've painted this picture of your future, it's time to chart the course to get there. Break down your long-term goals into actionable steps, starting with what you can accomplish in the next year. Then, break it down further into quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily tasks. By knowing exactly what needs to be done each day, you'll set yourself on the path to realizing your vision.

Think strategically about how you'll achieve your goals. Whether it's reaching out to potential clients, honing your skills, or building meaningful relationships, every action should bring you closer to your desired future. Stay focused, stay committed, and watch as your dreams become reality.

Stay Focused

I didn’t coin the phrase “shiny squirrel,” but when I wasn’t sure which word was a more accurate reflection of my uncanny ability for distraction, I combined the two to emphasize that fact. As a solopreneur, I am responsible for 100% of my actions and 100% of my results. Distractions can mean the difference between moving my business forward and getting stuck.

One way I’ve found to help overcome distractions is absolute focus. This means I shut my office door, put away my phone, remove all programs and images from my second screen, and focus on a single key project. I learned about the Pomodoro Technique of focus a few years ago, and it is a great tool to keep myself on track.

The Pomodoro Technique was born in the 1980s when many home cooks used a timer shaped like a tomato, a pomodoro tomato to be exact. Francesco Cirillo used such a timer to help himself study at his university. The idea is you set the timer for 25 minutes of uninterrupted time with no distractions. After 25 minutes, you take a five-minute break, then begin again, until your task is completed, or you’ve finished a scheduled amount of focus time.

When I am disciplined enough to set the timer, I’m always surprised how much I can accomplish in as little as 25 minutes.

Be intentional

"Be Patient, but Intentional" – this mantra guides my approach in 2024. Launching a business takes time, and success doesn't happen overnight. Each day, I prioritize intentionality, aligning my actions with my business plans. My calendar reflects scheduled client meetings and focused work sessions dedicated to specific tasks. Additionally, I carve out time for personal growth activities, such as reading, writing, and research, essential for achieving my long-term goals of podcasting, writing a book, and public speaking engagements, along with building a thriving coaching business.