The road to success means getting from point A (where we are now) to point B (where we want to get to, what we want to become).
Point B is usually far away, and getting there takes sacrifice, a strategy, a clear plan and, of course, a series of stages that we cannot skip under any circumstances.
Stage 1: Survey the terrain
We need to know ourselves, with our strengths and limitations, our current situation, the potholes along the road, and what we are and are not willing to do. We should study the people who set out on that journey and failed, so as not to take the roads they chose, and learn from those who made it to the finish, some very slowly and others very fast. When you are young, many people will tell you that you are very clever and can become anything you want. The problem is that very few people know what they want to be (read: How to choose what to do). In other words, they don’t know where point B is (they don’t know where they want to get to).
Stage 2: Plan the route
Once we know where point B is and are clear that we want to get there, even if it is really far away, we need to plan the route and the vehicles we want to travel in. On some stretches you can take the car; on others you will have to park it and get on a bike. On other stretches you will have to choose whether to take the boat, even though it is slower than the plane, because you can see turbulence ahead that could put the success of your journey at risk, or you may be willing to put up with that turbulence in order to go faster.
You need a perfectly defined plan and very specific, realistic goals. Do you want to make €300,000 by next week? So do I, but it is going to be very difficult. Maybe it would be better to aim to make €100,000 in 3 years. That would give us more room to manoeuvre, and although it looks very hard to us, the truth is that this goal is achievable. (Read: How to make $1 million, or One Thousand Ways to Make $1000)
Stage 3: Prepare for success
We know where point B is, we have mapped out the route and we are even clear about the vehicles we are going to choose. Preparing is easier today than ever. The internet is full of blogs about these subjects, including this one. We have very good books that can open our minds, by authors such as Robert Kiyosaki, Warren Buffett, Donald Trump… (Read: The best books on financial education). Many people will think a book cannot help you build wealth, and that is true, but it can open your mind if you know how to read it properly.
When it comes to finances, we know what to do and what not to do, based on the mistakes others have made, which gives us the chance to be forewarned. (Read: The 6 most common bad financial habits).
Let me be clear: many people want to make large amounts of money and become investors or big business owners, but anything to do with business, finance and so on bores them. You will hardly get there that way, because in these cases passion is not optional but compulsory, unless you live in the culture of the quick windfall, with all the risks that come with it.
See also: Oprah Winfrey quotes on overcoming adversity in life and business
Stage 4: Time to set off… but STOP!
We almost forgot. We cannot leave without supplies and with too much luggage. Before setting off, we need to save and get rid of our debts (if we have any). This may be the least fun and hardest part: you are clear about what you want to be and how you want to get there, but at the same time you know you will have to postpone the journey.
We need to save, and one way to do it quickly would be to go into what we call the financial prison. Others have no income at all, so obviously they cannot save. They need to look for hundreds of ways to get some money, and with jobs scarce, the way will probably be through a business of their own. In practice, this already means we are setting out on the journey, because whether you succeed or fail in your first attempts, they will be part of your learning.
We have shared some ideas for starting a business with no money, and our blog is full of ideas for starting businesses from home without commercial premises, from the most basic to the most complex. Just browse our business ideas section. We have also published some rather more extreme ways to make money with your home or online, and so on.
As for debt, we have also set out some simple, theoretical steps to get rid of our debts.
When you start doing all this, paying off debts, earning some extra money here, setting up a small business there, before you know it you will already be on your way.
In fact, as you keep saving, you will keep preparing and learning. The secret is to become smarter, not dumber, because only then will your savings multiply more easily.
The road won’t be easy; it takes effort and sacrifice. That effort and sacrifice is what sets winners apart from losers. That is why I always recommend the piece by Jim Rohn: success was easy for me; for others, letting things slide was easier.
Ready to set off on the journey?
Featured image: Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
