Most people drift aimlessly through their lives, reacting to stimuli, and allowing opportunities and obstacles to define them along the way. Successful entrepreneurs take the time to identify their own passions and the vision for their life. They let their mission become their North Star, and then plan their path accordingly. Do you have a dream of where you want to be and what you want to accomplish? Imagine your life five, 10, 20 years down the road. Where would you like to be, and what is it going to take to get there? Most of us are optimistic about our futures. We like to think we can do it all, if given the time and opportunity. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough time to excel at every- thing. Life is about making choices. Saying “yes” to one opportunity often involves saying “no” to another. This is why it is paramount to take the time to know yourself, who you are, and what matters to you. At the end of the day, it’s not just about asking “What do I need to do to achieve the outcome I want?” but “Who do I need to become to achieve that outcome?” It’s about developing yourself personally and professionally to become the person you want to be. Having a plan prevents you from walking into the unknown unprepared. Once you have an idea of where you want to go, it helps to establish your “why.” What is your purpose? For some entrepreneurs, the purpose is simply to make as much money as possible. And if that’s your goal, that’s fine. Just realize that for most people, money alone as a moti- vation isn’t enough to keep focused and empowered year after year. The world is going to present you with challenges and distractions. At a certain point, dealing with those challenges for additional financial gain
might not be worth it to you anymore. That’s why it helps to have a motiva- tion other than money—something that will drive you toward your goals, regardless of the obstacles you face or how successful you become. BUILDINGYOUR SYSTEMS Once the vision is established, successful entrepreneurs begin building their plan: setting goals, tasks, and subtasks to accomplish. For goals to be effective, remember to make them S.M.A.R.T—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. This is key to setting yourself up for success. It will take hard work and disci - pline to stick to your plans, and this is where motivation becomes crucial. Reinforce your wins by rewarding yourself and celebrating the mile- stones along the way. Rewarding the effort it took to hit your goals can be a great motivation, helping you stay on course even through the difficult times. But also remember life is unpre - dictable. Should you miss hitting a target here or there, don’t become overly critical. Give yourself the free- dom to learn from those mistakes so you can do better next time. BUILDINGYOUR TEAM Successful entrepreneurs use accountability to keep on track. They surround themselves with other successful people—positive influ - ences who are supportive but willing to challenge when necessary. Look around. Who are your partners, men- tors, and associates? How strong is your network? You don’t need unnecessary nega - tivity, but you’re also not looking for “yes” people. You want individuals
who see the potential in opportunity, and sometimes that can come from unlikely sources. Successful entre- preneurs aren’t so driven by ego that they miss the chance to work with those outside of their organization. Even networking with competitors can be advantageous to your prog- ress and help get you where you want to go. As an entrepreneur, you can never know too many people. When it comes to your team, com- munication is key. Develop systems to help them thrive. Successful people spend the time nurturing relationships as much as they build their business. After all, it’s the people who make great businesses great. As far as organizational accountability, consider tracking your goals and strategies with project management programs like Monday or Asana. Building systems into your life keeps you on track. When things are on track, it frees you up to be flexible when needed. GO FORTH You can wait for life to happen, or you can choose to be proactive. Visualize your dream, build your plan, set goals, and take the next step forward. The RAL Academy has helped thousands of entrepreneurs across the country design their financial futures. If you’re looking for the right investment opportunity and need help finding your path forward, visit ralacademy.com to learn how we can help you. •
Kurt Coleman brings a wealth of skills and experience to the RALAcademy team. Coleman is a graduate of Arizona State University with years of experience as a
team leader, systems developer, and writer. He is the lead copywriter for this incredible company that corners the market in the residential assisted-living niche. Kurt loves writing and sharing with investors how to use their skills, know-how, and expertise in the real estate industry.
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