Matt Clark Unplugged

Plan for your success

// September 9th, 2008 // Home Business Systems, Success Tips

The house is a mess, the kids need a ride somewhere, you haven’t sat down in hours, and you have 10 minutes to eat something.

It’s 1 p.m., you’ve been working non-stop to finish a project because your boss is breathing down your neck, and it’s time for a quick, 20-minute lunch before getting back to the grind.

We often face situations similar to these two. Normally, we choose to think one step ahead. “I am tired, hungry and stressed out. I need to eat something quick. I don’t care what it is!” Unfortunately, those decisions come back to haunt us in the future, only adding to the stress already in our lives.

Many people come to me to learn about running a home business in these situations. They take the first action step to change the life they are living to move towards the life they want to live. However, most only think of that one step they look at what could be the solution they are looking for. Only looking one step ahead, it only gets you to one place-one step ahead. You get what you focus on and if you only look one step ahead you will always get that step.

Before you look into getting into a home business, you must look at why you are looking. What do you want to create? Do you want more time freedom? Do you want more money, both? Ask yourself these simple questions and write down what you want, plan ahead plan two steps ahead, maybe three. Live with intent, make a decision of want you want then make a plan to get it.

After a long day at the office, a longer commute, doing laundry, reading books, and working on night school homework, you might have to decide between the life you want and a couch that is screaming your name. Another difficult decision we face on a regular basis, and once again we often choose to think one step ahead. “I need to rest – I’m so drained!”

The difference between one step ahead and two steps ahead can mean the difference between achieving your goals, creating the lifestyle you want. Starting a business part-time and moving to that second step which is the freedom you seek. Two steps ahead, we are still tired, stressed and cranky, BUT also determined, committed and able to see the big picture.

What is the BIG PICTURE? It’s different for everyone. Having a few thoughts that motivate and inspire you will help fight through step one and see that vision. Here are a few:

• “My self-confidence is going to be so much higher because I’ve struggled through a difficult situation and found a way to conquer it!”
• “I’ve had to find a way to deal with things during a very stressful time in my life. I can’t wait to see what I can do without all the stress!”
• “I’m going to be able to keep up with my kids and be a part of their lives for a long time!”
• “Why shouldn’t my health be the most important thing in my life – it doesn’t make me selfish, just smart!”
• “If there is one thing I have complete control over, it’s my health and wealth. I am going to do whatever it takes to figure out a way because I have pride in who I am!”

“Step Two” reminds us how important consistency is in reaching our goals and helps us envision that beautiful feeling you get when you work hard to achieve something. What would it be like if you could have a home business that you put 10-15 hours a week into while working your other job and by the end of your first year you are able to walk away from the Boss breathing down your neck, the commute in traffic and live the life you planned, that second step! Where will you go now?

Start practicing now. Step One – “Oh, what a great idea. I should try that sometime, but I really have to go clean my oven.” Step Two – “What a great idea. I’m going to come up with three things that will motivate and inspire me each time I have to choose between a healthy and unhealthy decision, and I’m going to write them down so I see them on a regular basis! Now, I’m going to go clean my oven!”