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When I think back to my own journey through rebuilding my life, I often remember a few keys I did naturally that took my skills and talents to the next level. It definitely wasn't always easy, but there was one thing I always possessed that helped me keep going and make it to the next stage. That quality is a burning desire to succeed.
While at the time I didn't realize this was an extremely important quality to have, it turns out, it was one of the main ingredients to personal success (or in this case starting a business with purpose.) As I have talked about in my last two articles (The Foundation to a Meaningful Business and Step Outside Your Comfort Zone), getting clear about what inspires you, satisfies you spiritually, and how to step into the fear of the unknown, truly is the secret to success, but there are two characteristics you absolutely MUST have in order to achieve your goals:
1) You must have a burning desire to achieve your goals. There is nothing more distracting than pursuing something half-fasted or lacking enthusiasm. Those characteristics will definitely set you up for failure--or worse--getting fed up, which results in you giving up. A burning desire is that excited anticipation. It is the butterflies in your stomach, that pang in your heart, or that feeling of wanting to run when the signs says, "don't walk." It's that skip in your step and that magnetism that people feel when they are around you. You'll know when you have a burning desire--EVERYONE will know.
2) You must have confidence. You could be the best chef in your circle of friends, but when someone compliments your tasty delights, you shrug it off. Confidence is knowing you are good at something without being arrogant or conceited. When you know something it's not about showing off or throwing facts in people's faces all day. Confidence is light, direct, and polished. I'm a firm believer in the consistency of refining skills, but don't ever take them for granted. Holding your head up high, speaking up when you have something to say, stating your expertise with verve and conviction, and sharing about what you know are true signs of a confident person. A person who knows something but chooses NOT to share is not confident, in fact, they are very insecure. A person who knows a lot, speaks up and dominates the conversation is not confident, they are also insecure. Confidence has nothing to prove and everything to share.
Here are three very important questions to answer that will increase your burning desire to achieve your goals and the confidence to pursue them:
What are your skills? This might seem like a no brainer of a question, but skills are directed related to your competence. Competence is the KEY to success. When you have skills (you have a ton of them) that means you have something to teach. When you have something to teach, other people want to learn it too. No skill is too small or insignificant. I don't care if one of your skills is grooming your dog and giving him the best mohawk on the block. You must have impeccable attention to detail to be able to something like that. That my friend is a skill. List all your skills on a sheet of paper and then revisit them in a few days and write down some more.
What do you love to do? Do you love to decorate your home? Flea market shop or dance when no ones watching? Is writing a novel the idea of a good time or blogging into the wee hours? What are the things you love to do that you would do it anyway, for free just because you love it? The motivation it takes to do something you love is pretty effortless. Even if you're a runner and you love to run marathons, if you love it, then you get excited about it if when you're not doing it. I takes THAT kind of LOVE to get a burning desire. And as I've said before, you can't achieve any goal without a burning desire. You have to love it so much.
What do people compliment you on? This one is such an eye-opener! This question is going to have you viewing who you are and what will help you build confidence faster than enrolling in school or taking yet another class. There are things you are always doing that are being noticed by others. What are they? Do you have beautiful skin, nice legs, or soft luscious locks? Are you a good listener; that person all your friends call for advice? All of these beautiful qualities need to be brought to the surface and used in your business.
Most people make excuses as to why "the time isn't right" for them to do this or start that. They think they have more classes to take, more certifications to acquire or need more money. But you now have a laundry list of skills, things you love to do, and people that are noticing your talents even when you're not looking. Once you have a "10" burning desire and an attractive confidence, your goals can and WILL be achieved.
