6 KEYS TO POWER

by Lance Webster

Six critical things that will power you to success are Values, Vision, Purpose, Goals, Commitment and Integrity. There’s a natural flow and sequence from one to the next. Let’s take a look:

VALUES

Values come first. It’s essential to have a good understanding of just what is really important to you. What do you value most in life -- about yourself and others; about the work you do, and about the life you lead. Most people don’t give a lot of thought to their values -- sometimes because they’re afraid of what they’ll discover; sometimes because they’ve got values handled; and often because they just never get around to it. No one told them it was important.

VISION

I recomend to my clients that once they understand their values, it serves them well to formulate a vision for the world as it might be with their participation. The size and scope of the ‘world’ one chooses to play in will vary from person to person. It could be family, neighborhood, community, city, state, region, nation, or even the world. Different people pick different ‘world’s’ in which to make a difference. What’s important is not the size and scope of the vision, but how much it moves, touches and inspires you....and that will affect how much you can move, touch and inspire those around you. You will need their energy, enthusiam and participation you’ll need to succeed at a high level.

PURPOSE

With your vision in place, the next step is to locate yourself in it powerfully by creating a purpose for your life. Let’s call it a “Who You Are” statement -- one that you can call on as often as necessary to motivate yourself, or to define yourself to others. I work with clients to create a metaphor that resonates, lights them up, and gets them going each morning, and pulls them though the rough spots every day. It begins with the words “I am....” -- never “I am going to become...”

GOALS

Now it’s time to begin creating goals which flow from, support, and move forward your vision and purpose. If you look in each of them major areas of your life to see what’s missing, where the glass is less than full, you can create a powerful list

of meaningful goals you are both willing and eager to sink your teeth into. Look in the areas of Career, Money, Family, Friends, Romance, Personal Growth, Health, Spirtuality, Fun, and Physical Environment. Some will seem complete or satisfied; others lacking. Create your goals accordingly.

COMMITMENT

Goals are expressions of where you want to be. Commitments are expressions of what you will do to get there. Commitments are specific. These are the things you promise to do by specific times, meeting specified criteria for completion.

INTEGRITY

Up to now, its all been an intellectual exercise. ‘Integrity’ simply means doing what you said by when you said you would. It’s the hard part...doing what it takes to honor your commitments and be a person known for honoring your word.

This is the roadmap to a successful, powerful, meaningful life. Caution: it is almost impossible to travel this road alone. You’ll be most successful if you share the process with someone committed to your success: a loving and powerful spouse, a minister, rabbi or spiritual leader, a mentor, or a personal coach.

Or, of course, you can continue on your present course -- and see where you end up.

© 2008 Lance Webster, LW Communications & Coaching