Before you understand what success in life means to you, you must first discover some things about yourself. You must form a vision of, and for, your life both now, and in the future.

You get the tools for mapping your road ahead by taking time to define the steps you’ll take on that road ahead. The tools that help you create your vision include:

• Your definition of success.
• Where you are now. Who are you?
• Where are you going? Who do you want to be?
• What will move you to your future? What is your mission?
• What do you have in your bag of weapons to build on?
• What measurements will you use to show your progress?
• What roadblocks might you face along your path, and how will you deal with them?

How do you define success in life?

Often today’s society considers a man successful if he is well to do.

But success is more than working in a high-salary job. Certainly we all want to do well in our careers, and we want to live comfortably, but comfort in life comes from balance in life. When you define what success means to you consider the areas of career, family, spiritual, education, and community. What resources (time, finances, work) will you devote to each area so you experience balance among them?

Success in life doesn’t just come from money. It comes from happiness, living proud, companionship, a feeling of well-being, and the act of giving back.

Who are you?

You must have a starting point – a point where you take that first step onto your road to success.

This one takes work. You must take the time to look deep inside, and learn who that you in there is. Discover your true beliefs. What do you value? Figure these out for every area I mentioned above. Learn all about who the true “you” is.

Who do you want to be?

Where will your path take you? How will it get you there? If you don’t have a defined target you don’t have a clue of where to aim your efforts. Ask yourself, “What do I want people to read on my tombstone?” Decide now, and write it down, what you want for your epitaph.

What vehicle will give you success?

Once you find out where you’re going, you need a vocation to transport you along your road.

What kind of work will support, both financially and satisfyingly, the balance you discovered you’ll need for success and happiness? What mission will you create to allow you to move steadily along your path?

What weapons do you already own that will aid you on your journey?

What knowledge do you have right now can you use toward accomplishing your mission? Know that, and you’ll know what learning you must pursue to start you on your path, and keep you moving forward.

What skills will you need, and how many of them do you already have? Determine what skills that you don’t have are worth developing, and which skills you will designate to others.

What attitudes best fit your chosen life adventure? Do you have those attitudes, and are you comfortable with them? If those attitudes are different than what you now show to the world do you believe you can change? Remember that your inner thoughts eventually show up in your outer actions.

What will you measure to show your progress?

As you travel along your path you’ll need to know if your plan is working. For that you need to designate measurable targets that show your progress along the way. Understand how much time you need to accomplish each target, and create a timeline along your map.

Know that life occasionally puts potholes in your road

No matter how well you plan you’ll run into roadblocks along the way. Don’t make your plan too rigid. From time-to-time you’ll adjust your goals as you face the problems that always occur. Look for those potential difficulties so when they jump up at you you’re ready for them. When unprepared you make hasty decisions that distract you from your path. When prepared you’re ready to climb over, walk around, or dig a tunnel under every roadblock.

When you take the time to learn yourself you make your future path smoother, and you steer yourself more easily to success in life.