The secret to getting ahead

I am a sucker for any post with the word ‘secret’ in the title.

I think that stems from my innate belief everyone around me has life sorted – and that I am only one article/conversation away from discovering the elixr to their success.

This being the case you can imagine my delight in discovering this particular piece from American life coach, Susie Moore.

Her title: “The secret to getting ahead in life.”

Double click.

Well, do you want to know what the secret is?

Ahem…

To quote:

“As Mark Twain said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

That’s it.

As simple as that.

Of course the whole problem with getting started is that you need to know where it is you want to go.

Which makes me think that the real secret to getting ahead is making a plan for where you want to go.

And then you can get started!  

I loved Susie’s tips – especially these ones:

Protect your time, refuse excuses and celebrate!

As she writes:

“Give yourself a clear, achievable and realistic deadline to make it happen. For example, “Within 6 months I will have finished my novel.” Break it up into small, bite-size deadlines, too, to make yourself accountable along the way.

“When you have had one month of applied activity towards your goal, treat yourself! A massage, new motivating book or glass of champagne will inspire you to keep going.”

Never one to turn down an incentive, Susie’s list is just missing one thing.

So, to add something of my own I’d say in order to get ahead in life, you also need to get prepared to be uncomfortable.

Real change is exhilarating but it certainly takes a lot of the comfy old habits along with it.

What’s top of your getting-ahead list this year?