The i.m.a.p.p Concept – Part 5 Persistence: This Concept Will Get You to the Finish Line

Welcome to Component # 5 of ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’: Persistence

Definitions for Your Convenience:

Persistence- noun . . . firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.

Perseverance- noun . . . steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Tenacity- noun . . . the quality or fact of being very determined; determination.

Determination-noun . . . firmness of purpose; resoluteness.

Side-Notes:

1-For all intents and purposes Persistence and Perseverance are close enough in meaning for me to use them interchangeably.

2-In this section, part 5 of ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’, we’ll discuss “Persistence” and how to make it work for you.

3-Included in this section is information on Goals and Purposes.

Let’s Begin:

Onward and Upward:

When on a formidable Success Quest or involved in a demanding situation and obstacles emerge that prove to be overwhelming, difficult or exasperating, there are three options that most people will choose from to navigate their way to their future and beyond:

• Give up and dial it back to where they started from. . . permanently.
• Give in and do something new that’s easier and less stressful.
• Give it another try but dial it back a notch or three and only just “try” to do their “best.”

Then there are the trail blazers, innovators, pioneers, dreamers and the men and women whose ambition has put them on the fast track and will do whatever they have to do to achieve their lofty goals. These are men and women who are venturesome, attracted to change, look forward to new experiences and are mesmerized by the concept of becoming very successful and/or making an altruistic, humanitarian difference in the world.

When beleaguered and bound with formidable and compelling challenges and inconceivable obstacles, these unique and very confident humans, would choose a fourth and very distinguishing option that exists. This option, that is unabashedly covered in a carelessly superficial way all over the internet and on the pages of so many self-help books is: Never, Never, Never Ever Give up . . . no matter what.

The most frequently used word used to describe this display of extraordinary fortitude is “Persistence” but I like to call it “Persistence on Steroids”

Sidebar: I use the words “Unabashedly and Carelessly Superficial” because the majority of the internet articles and many self-help books never warn you that “to never give up” can be harmful to your health . . . your physical and mental health. We’ll discuss this and expand on it later in this component of Part # 5 of ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept.’

What is Persistence and how does it work?

Success in your personal or business life is not predicated on a unilateral activity or even on multiple activities, if they’re all working independently. Your success is achieved in the same way a sports team trains and moves its individual players towards playing as “one unit” and being the best they can be.

They have all the players and the playbook strategies symphonized and moving forward in one unvarying direction with victory as their unwavering, indefatigable, determined goal.

When game time rolls around their attitude and demeanor is all about winning. They never give up until the final whistle is blown. Even if the ultimate score was not in their favor they still remain relentless, dauntless and motivated. They may have their pity party but that doesn’t last long at all.

Please Stop Here for the Take-Away:

It’s important for you to stop here and extend these four points, the serious attention they deserve:

How can they remain unyieldingly persistent, optimistic and invigorated in the face of defeat time after time?

Point 1- They’ve won games before and they know they’ll win many more games after and beyond. They have history and experience in winning and losing. They’ve experienced the exhilarating feeling of dominating and outplaying opposing teams.

They know that it’s like the old saying goes, “you win some and you lose some.” You personally have win/lose history as well. Write them down, examine them, learn from them and gain strength and confidence from them.

Introspection, contemplation and examination (I.C.E) are invaluable tools in your Success Support Arsenal.

Sidebar: The more experience you accumulate in taking well-thought-out risk and chances, small ones or big ones, and simultaneously being accepting of the fact that “you will win some and you will lose some,” the more you’ll incrementally rev-up the intensity of your persistence, which in turn will help impel you towards your Success Quest end zone.

Obstacles will always exist, but with more experience and by accepting the fact that you will fall at times, your coping ability will greatly improve. One last word: Just start with very small risks and build from there. By the way: If you do fall at times, and we all do, just make sure you rise stronger and more determined than ever, we all do.

Point 2-They know that failure, defeat or setbacks are temporary and that these experiences are only meant to be used for education and contemplation. They do not take them personally. What went down after your setbacks? You’re still here to talk about them, right? You have to, if you really want to succeed in life, view setbacks as part of your Success Support Arsenal. They’re “teachable” moments. Embrace and get to know each and every one of them.

Point 3-They know that every 24 hours they have the chance for a fresh start. Every 24 hours we all get a new chance to change, adjust or renew our lives and our life’s work. This is a powerful point to never ever forget.

Point 4- This is their Success Support Community and their Success Support Arsenal at work. The combination generates the power and fortitude needed for every player to remain steadfast in their resolve, ambition and desire to win. Everyone and everything is harmonized, coordinated and moving in one direction. When it all comes together, the overwhelming result is “Victory.” Essentially, this is the attitude you must develop to be able to reach your goals and to make your dreams come true.

Please Wait One Minute. . .

“Reality Check”:

a-Persistence is complex and a force to reckon with. It’s a medium to respect and trust. It must be nurtured, encouraged and provided with the proper mental and physical nourishment to do its job.

b-Persistence is not just about attitude. It’s not about one distinctive characteristic. It’s a multifaceted wonder that has the power to energize and mobilize the fortitude, endurance and brawn needed to be victorious on your Success Quest.
c-The following discussion represents all the indispensable and consequential information needed to truly bring “Persistence” to its fullest potential and its maximum effectiveness, in order to aid you in tolerating and overcoming obstacles, setbacks and possibly full blown failure.
d-Persistence has the power to push and pull you through to the other side and onto, and over, the finish line if you use it the right way.
E- Yes, Persistence is that important.

Onward and Upward

To learn how to get the full impact of “persistence” while on your Success Quest lets continue:

Building Your Success Support Community & Your Success Support Arsenal:

Launching your Success Quest without a strategy to initiate and establish a Success Support Community and without a strategy to accumulate and compile the most compelling Success Support Arsenal possible, is irresponsible and, it will act as a formidable impediment to your future plans and, will ensure that your failure is a fait accompli.

Your Success Support Team, your Success Support Community and your Success Support Arsenal must all work simultaneously and they all must firmly subscribe and adhere to the timeless phrase “One for All and All for One.” In other words: they must be working inextricably together.

‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ which gets you to the starting gate and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ which gets you to the finish line, should be adopted and made an indispensable piece of the foundation of your Success Quest and, in particular, they should be made an integral part of your Success Support Arsenal.

Making these two concepts an integral part of your Success Support Arsenal will ensure a much smoother journey with your success being a realistic outcome. The aggregate components of these two concepts are crucial to your Success Quest being victorious. All the components are interconnected and interdependent.

For more comprehensive information on building your Success Support Community please see Part 4: People, here in ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept.’

Persistence’s effectiveness relies on the manner in which you use both ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ and how diligently you apply and nurture all 9 components, and their subsets, in order for each component to energize each other. “Persistence” cannot and will not survive being detached and isolated, and neither will the other eight components.

As I said, your Success Support Arsenal: ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ gets you to the starting gate; ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ gets you to the finish line.

Here’s how it lays out:

• Phase 1: The t.r.i.p Concept: Truth + Reality + Inspiration+ Positivity

• Phase 2: The i.m.a.p.p Concept: Inspiration + Motivation + Action + People + Persistence+

• Phase 3: The two concepts begin working in tandem and now in phase 3 they’re working en masse. Combining all the components in both concepts creates a firm foundation for a very compelling Success Support Arsenal.

In addition to the 9 main components that make up ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ you’ll be introduced to, and will find, varied subsets in each component that effectively initiate, actualize, maintain and perpetuate that particular component.

Within the framework of the 9 main components and its subsets that are presented in ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’, ‘Persistence’ is considered the Matriarch of the group.

She is the energy source that holds it all together and provides the strength and wisdom to overcome and move through obstacle and setbacks. She opens the real world to you and enables you to travel on your Success Quest fearlessly and purposefully.

Before We Begin: Before we discuss the subject of specific subsets for persistence, I want to familiarize you with a very modest yet powerful and compelling formula that will aid you, and mitigate the arduous undertaking that arises, when a commitment to “never, ever give up” is made in earnest.

“Never Give Up” AKA “Persistence on Steroids”:

As I Previously said: I use the words “Unabashedly and Carelessly Superficial” because the majority of the internet articles and many self-help books never warn you that “to never give up” can be harmful to your health . . . your physical, mental and financial health.

To “never give up,” also known as “persistence on steroids,” is a very dangerous and risky disposition to adopt if you do not fully understand it’s meaning.

“Never give up” is a universal call to hold firm and keep on keepin’ on. This sweeping message of extreme persistence and perseverance is shared by well-intentioned people to encourage other people to go all the way and not to stop or go back when they hit a rough patch in life or business.

Without qualifying and modifying this suggestible message, it encourages people to forge ahead and “damn the torpedoes”, when faced with an impressive obstacle, an impenetrable barrier or severe complications. This could create personal devastation for someone or at the very least it could generate discouragement and the subsequent abandonment of someone’s lifelong dream.

I believe in “never giving up” but here’s what I do before I make that fateful decision to cross over and burn that safe secure bridge.

1- I absolutely never give up if:

a) I’m extremely passionate about the situation and it means the world to me.

b) It doesn’t get me arrested or physically hurt.

2- That’s where I begin. If those guidelines are met, I then move on to my 3R’s strategy:

Retreat-Review, Reevaluate, Recommence.

No mistake here. A concept called the 3R’s with 4R’s? Please read on.

If you’re going to commit to “never giving up” or “giving in” you must be all in or it will never work. Above all, you must understand why you’re making such a profound decision.

My 3R’s strategy will help guide you to work through this new obstinate stance you’ve taken and it will help you to gain insight into what’s motivating you.

Most important of all, my 3R’s strategy will help you make healthy and prudent decisions on what is going to happen next on your Success Quest. The 3R’s can and will protect you if you diligently apply what you find during your introspection and general review phase.

Side-Note: In addition to using this concept on a daily basis I’m advising and vigorously advocating that you schedule an unalterable date each and every month to initiate a formal full day ‘The 3R’s Concept’ meeting e.g. “The third Monday of each month.”

WELCOME TO THE 3R’s: A Three Step Strategy

R&R (Retreat / Review)

Please Note: This dual movement is represented as one ‘R’ because two functions must happen at the same time. It’s all about you disengaging physically and mentally and at the same time getting under way with the evaluating and subsequent adjustment of your current situation.

Retreat Defined: 1-The act or process of moving back or away, especially from something hazardous, formidable, or unpleasant. 2- A place affording peace, quiet, privacy, or security. 3- A period of seclusion, retirement, or solitude. Review Defined: A formal assessment or examination of something with the possibility or intention of instituting change if necessary.

The most important point to understand and embrace here is that “retreat” is temporary. It’s not meant to be “forever.” It’s not a sign of failure and it’s not a sign that you’re giving up.

It’s simply a prudent and effective procedure used to give the mind a chance to mitigate any feelings of stress and anxiety and to create an environment wherein you’ll have a chance to think clearly, logically and experience a well-deserved respite.

Bottom Line: Step #1 Retreat/Review is about signaling a “time out” to process and examine recent obstacles that emerged or other challenges that appeared, enabling you to see how you’re going to proceed.

It’s time to temporarily shut it down and rejuvenate. Here’s where you shut the door, close the phone and pull the shades down.

Retreat/ Review is about taking a deep breath, relaxing and determining what your current situation is all about. You can devote a few hours each day for several days or it could be a few full days if it’s appropriate for your type of situation.

Use the basic questions to determine your next move: Who, what, why, when, where and how. Write down the answers. List the Pros/Cons. Examine the answers and create more questions from those answers. Do not stop until you get what you need and when you do get what you need go some more and beyond.

Please see my article on “Questions and Shredding”: The Most Powerful Tool in Your Success Support Arsenal is Free and Available 24/7. Are You Using it?

You’re going to be blown away to find that the most accurate, effective and productive life saving, business saving answers are usually found beyond the point where everyone initially said “that’s it, that’s what we should do.”

Do Some Shredding: Be fickle. Always search for better answers, no matter how great your current answers are. Get your first “that’s a great answer” and pull that apart with questions and then go for your second “that’s a great answer”. Have some fun and keep going until there’s no more shredding possible and the answer you found sounds and feels right.

Shredding , along with “Asking too Many Questions,” are two indispensable tools found in your Success Support Arsenal that will lead you to asking the “right” questions.

Shredding is a simple tool with a mighty secret identity. 

Here’s How it Works:

1. Ask and answer any question.
2. Then take that answer and “question” it’s veracity and accuracy. Tear it apart. Apply the 5W’s+1 questions. Glean new additional answers and then “question” the veracity and accuracy of those answers. Keep the process going until you strongly feel that you have the answers that you need.
3. “Asking too many questions” + shredding them all, will lead you to the information you need to make solid decisions on your Success Quest

Sample questions: Who is doing this to us? Why are they doing it? What could put us out of business? Where could we get a better rate? Who’s watching them? What is the worst that can happen? When do you think it could be replaced? How can we safeguard our family? Who could steal our business? Why is our product going to be outdated and obsolete in 6 months from now? How can we give our customers an exceptional experience when shopping our site? Who is our customer? How’s the kids doing in school?

Sidebar: Questions, asking as many as possible and in as many different ways as possible, are an extraordinary tool in your Success Support Arsenal. You can never ever ask too many questions. Encourage every member of your Success Support Team to ask questions and let them know that every question asked will never be considered a waste of time.

An Additional Benefit: Take some extra time to reflect and acknowledge your achievements, no matter how big or small. Be proud of yourself for being where you are now. You’re out there solving a situation or jogging with your dreams, but either way, you’re a warrior and doing what most people don’t have the courage to do. You’re taking chances and grabbing life by the proverbial “balls” and that’s a great thing.

RE-EVALUATE

Re-evaluate Defined: To consider again, especially with the possibility of change.

Hours or perhaps days have gone by and you’re feeling rested and refreshed. You’ve put your thoughts on paper and you now have a clear and distinct grasp of what your current situation is all about.

At this point, it’s time to lay out all the information and answers you’ve gathered and reevaluate your position regarding the situation at hand.

What adjustments must be made? Is there significant change needed to achieve the solution discerned? How much will it cost in dollars and cents? In time? What sacrifices must be made? Who stays and who goes? What else do we need? Who do we need? How much time do we have before the shit really hits the fan? How do we proceed?

Important: Questions and their answers offer you an invaluable lifeline in business and in your personal life but you need to ask the right questions as well. How do you find the right questions?

It’s very Simple. Asking “too many” questions is the way to uncover the one question that could open the floodgates to the relevant information that you sorely need. The more questions and the more “shredding” you do, the chances of you “finding” the “right” questions will commensurately increase.

It’s not easy but, whatever decision you do come to, will always be a good decision, if it serves you and your situation well at that moment in time. That’s all that matters for today.

When tomorrow arrives and the sun signals a fresh start, “shit happens” before you finish your breakfast. “Change” effects circumstances beyond your control and your situation went from bad to worse. So what? Just Reevaluate and adjust once more. Probe, question and shred based on the new situation that exists at that moment.

Good Habit Alert: Re-evaluation and adjustments should and will be a daily occurrence: Most of it will be minor adjustments but they should be respected and treated as diligently as you would a major adjustment. Disrespecting and ignoring “minor” adjustments today, usually will cause those “minors” to morph and evolve into agitated and out of control “Major” adjustments.

• Be proactive and apply a sense of urgency that’s extreme to any adjustment. Always safer to do “too much,”you could always dial it back, then too little. Better to bring a fire truck and their hose to a grill fire than bringing a garden hose to a house fire.

RECOMMENCE

Recommence Defined: to begin or commence again.

At This Point: You’ve now provided your mental constitution with the information and sustenance it needs to keep your persistence in high gear as you take a deep breath and get ready to “move ‘em out.”

You now know what your obstacle or situation is all about and you have a good idea of what needs to be done next. You know what to expect and you now know in which direction you’ll go.

Based on your introspection, reevaluation and your adjustments you’re ready to move forward in one way or another.

Your options: Go back and take another route; Go around and take another route; Go over and take another route; Go under and take another route; Go forward and through and stay on the same route. In all options the end result is always the same: “Never Give Up.”

Stuff happens and you’re going to screw up and make mistakes from time to time. Welcome to the club, we’re all in the same position as you are. . . we’re all not perfect. Reach out and ask for help.

Nothing is permanent so don’t worry too much about those screw ups or mistakes. You could always dial back a situation, change direction or simply apologize if you were wrong.

Evaluation, reevaluation and adjustments are the natural course of action in business and in social environments.

When mistakes happen just embrace the ‘3R’s concept’, ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ for help and guidance.

You’re now prepared to commit to “never giving up” and to move forward with confidence because you now know what to do when “stuff” happens.

Read on for additional information on how to prop up your “Persistence” and make it work for you.

On the Road Again. . .

On to the “Persistence” Subsets:

To Reiterate and Accentuate: Subsets in any of the 9 main components of The t.r.i.p Concept’ and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ each give that specific main component its “sense of duty”, its endurance, its energy and its sustenance.

The 9 main components and their subsets, when fully deployed, will fortify your Success Quest with a natural “early warning system” so that you’ll be able to prepare in enough time to ward off discouragement, fatigue, frustration, hopelessness, and being overwhelmed by fear, etc.

This early warning system, will in effect, allow you to pull back and conserve your energy thus obtaining the endurance needed to continue your Success Quest.

The 9 main components and their subsets are inextricably interconnected and interdependent. As the age-old question goes: “Which leg of a three-legged stool is most important?”

Sidebar: Ignoring, avoiding or minimizing the importance of any one of the following subsets will certainly lead to weakness and discouragement in your resolve to succeed. For now, I’m just going to gently touch upon each subset in the “Persistence” component. Each subset is as important and as critical to your success as the next one and each one is deserving of concentrated, comprehensive attention.

For that reason, I will eventually follow up with full-on detailed articles on each and every subset and give each one the attention they deserve. We’ll continue to discuss the purpose of each subset and we’ll continue to discuss how to effectively initiate, actualize, maintain and to perpetuate each one.

The following are the dominant subsets that are essential to initiating, developing and maintaining an enduring and dependable ‘Persistence.’ These are traits and attributes that you have to make an earnest and diligent effort to adopt and develop. As I said earlier I will discuss them all more comprehensively in the future. These subsets will prop up and invigorate your ‘Persistence.’

WARNING: Not there yet? These attributes seem to be out of your reach today? No Problem!

Do Not Worry. Hire or befriend people that could assist and mentor you, or even donate their time to help guide you, until you could gain sufficient proficiency through, “Practicing, Exploring, Experiencing and Experimenting” (‘The p.e.e.e Concept’). These are the dominant Educational skills available, and are free, in your Success Support Arsenal.

Simply becoming an avid article reader on the internet and becoming a ‘Googlearian’ will produce amazing positive results in building your experience and education. Don’t waste time thinking about how much you don’t know, you’ll be fine, and spend that time reading, networking and asking questions. You’ll get there.

The “Subsets” for Persistence:

 Persistence Subset #1- Grit: Definition- courage and resolve; strength of character. firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck. My favorite is an “indomitable spirit.”

“Indomitable” being defined as (adjective) impossible to subdue or defeat. Synonyms: invincible, unconquerable, unbeatable, unassailable, invulnerable, unshakable, unsinkable;

Sidebar: Growing up in Brooklyn, New York we knew, that what is being described as “Grit” today, was always called “Street Smarts” then.” I’m using the term “Grit” because it’s being used and written about ad nauseam on the internet and I don’t want to appear irrelevant.

“Grit” is classified as one of the “subsets” of persistence, albeit an extremely important subset, that’s tied to your level of intensity in embracing persistence and the will to “never give up.”

“Grit” is actually one of the more dominant elements in your overall Success Support Arsenal. It’s not only tied to the intensity level of your persistence, it’s also bound directly to the boss of your life and/or business and determines the quality of leadership the boss will deliver.

Who’s the Boss? Hint: It’s not your Mom or Significant other. Still befuddled? Look in the mirror. Hold on There: As I said earlier, it also could be “other” people until you’re ready to take over the reins and even then, you may want to have those people remain with you on your Success Quest.

You be the visionary, creative genius or the person who drives sales. Pick what you’re good at and let the “other” people do what they’re good at. Your responsibility is “Practicing, Exploring, Experiencing and Experimenting” (‘The p.e.e.e Concept’).

For our purposes and backed by my 50+ years of experience, the following is what “Grit” is all about.

We’ll discuss what’s needed for Grit to make its contribution and to do its job to ensure that your level of persistence is intense and exceptional enough to face obstacles and setbacks, with a fierceness that allows you to remain upright while moving around them, over them, through them and at the same time, incessantly moving forward on your Success Quest.

How do people know if they have “Grit”?

1a- They Like Themselves: They’re Self-Confident. They let themselves be human. They cry and they laugh and don’t feel guilty about it. They welcome their emotions with open arms. They let their emotions do their job. They care about their physical and mental health. They don’t judge themselves or others harshly. They have a healthy sense of humor.

Because they like themselves it’s easy for other people to approach them and interact with them. They’re open and straightforward. You know where you stand with “Gritty” people. They possess good people skills. Polite, good listeners with a sense of humor, they are welcomed wherever they go.

1b-They’re Good Beginners: They’re modest. They admit if they don’t know or understand something. They know “what they don’t know “and freely admit it without feeling self-conscious.

They’re always turned on and tuned in to ‘The p.e.e.e Concept’: “Practicing, Exploring, Experiencing and Experimenting”. These are the dominant Educational skills available in your Success Support Arsenal.

Their curiosity , their passion for knowledge and ideas, and their relentless search for new opportunities, is only matched by their devotion and indomitable attitude towards their Success Quest.

They’re comfortable with Ambiguity and Potentiality. They’re comfortable with “Change.” They actually welcome change and the ambiguous, yet possibly exciting and rewarding, circumstances that it brings with it.

It’s a “Grab Bag” for them.

1c- They’re Realistic Optimists: As the saying goes, but with just a little tweaking: “They are playing with a full deck” and they get it. They understand the meaning of “it is what it is.”

For the record: It’s an idiom that means: “This circumstance is simply a fact and must be accepted or dealt with as it exists.”

In other words, people with “Grit” don’t fight the reality beast. They accept it and adjust their circumstances to it. In the case of multiple participants, there’s always 3 realities: yours, theirs and the situation’s. A “Grit” possessed person knows how to move their reality to accommodate all three reality beasts thus moving the stalled situation onward and upward.

They feel afraid. They feel scared. They feel the fear but, they move their body and mind forward any way. They know that they’ll survive and they know that they, in time, will be stronger because of the experience.

Positivity and optimism is a way of life for them.

They unequivocally accept and understand that no situation or event, good or bad, is permanent. They’re only temporary and just waiting for someone to accept it or disentangle it.

They know when to push forward and they know when to let go. They know if they made the wrong decision they could always go back, say I’m sorry or start all over, whenever they want to. It’s not permanent. That’s reality.

Temporary and not Permanent? This concept, when accepted as fact, brings people with “Grit “to impressive levels of strength and positivity.

Persistence Subset #2- Resiliency:

Definition- The ability to bounce back; Being able to take on difficult challenges and still find meaning in life; Respond positively to difficult situations.

Resiliency is being able to bounce back from setbacks and to keep going in the face of tough demands and difficult circumstances.

A Mouth Full: Understanding, acknowledging and completely accepting, as a fact, that missteps, defeat, setbacks, obstacles, and even flagrant failure are all temporary conditions, will give rise to spectacular empowerment and a tremendous infusion of courage and self-confidence, that will embrace you and hold on to you for your entire Success Quest and beyond.

Resiliency is a fait accompli upon accepting this fact.

Four things to know that will get you the “Resiliency” needed for your Success Quest and Beyond:

2a- It’s always temporary but not necessarily pretty: There will be stress and anxiety, and even some pain, but there will come a day in the very near future where you’ll wake up feeling peaceful. It may not have turned out exactly as you needed it to, but nevertheless, you survived and now, you’ll adjust your situation to the new circumstances and proudly move forward with your life. Yes, Andy/Annie, the sun will come up tomorrow.

2b- Practice makes Perfect: How to get to that point where you’ll know that you’re capable and that you’re going to bounce back?
“Practicing, Exploring, Experiencing and Experimenting” (The P.e.e.e Concept) are compelling investigation, detection, educational and fact-finding tools in your Success Support Arsenal.

New to the Success Quest playground?

Go slow and start small. Try new situations. Try things you never did before. Start small and “fail” small. Be consistent and examine every situation. It doesn’t matter if you come face to face with a win, or a loss.

In sports, from amateurs up through the professionals, a win or a loss is always examined and evaluated over and over again. What did we do right? What did we do wrong? This is how you build “Resiliency.”
“Failing” combined with introspection and frank evaluation generates enduring strength that in turn enhances your coping skills.

Fail smartly and always use your setbacks and failures as goodies for your reality beast. Learn from everything, good or bad, that happens to you or in and around your mandated territory.

Yes, “Practice does make Perfect.”

2c-Knowing that every 24 hours you have the chance to start all over.

Screwed up? Made a mistake? Bad stuff is happening today?

Go to the 3R’s Concept. Glean the information you need. Become a strategic genius and make the necessary decisions.

Say goodnight. Clear your mind and get ready for the struggle tomorrow.

Every day, every single day, is a second chance. Forget what happened yesterday. Forget what went wrong or sideways and remember the lessons that were gleaned from the 3R’s Concept experience. Focus in on that information and solutions.

24 hours later you’re given a chance for a fresh start. Don’t make excuses. Don’t squander this good fortune away. This is a magical number that maintains a very powerful, tactical and strategic position in your life.

The number “24” is a compelling number and it’s your ticket to starting a new life 365 times a year. You’re given a chance to start fresh every single day. It’s yours to use in a productive or in a destructive way.

24 Hours: Your ticket to a fresh start.

Free Advice: “You’re under no obligation to be the same person you were 24 hours ago or even five minutes ago.”

Don’t allow yourself to awake to yesterday’s challenges overwhelming your mental state. Absolutely refuse to “Live Backwards.” See every day as your opportunity to leave yesterday’s setbacks in the past. Start today with a fresh outlook and a fresh perspective on what you want to achieve. New hope and determination is available and waiting for you to reach out and grab it.

2d- Last but certainly not the least is Purpose and Goals: This gets its own section. Please see Part #4 below. . .

 Persistence Subset #3- Initiagogue:

Definition– a person who initiates a course of action and then guides and inspires others;

You won’t find this word in the dictionary. It’s made up of the word “initiate” and the suffix “agogue.” It’s my word. The “agogue” suffix defined: “indicating a person or thing that leads or incites to action.”

Business Leaders? – Leaders of our Country? – Leaders in Congress? – Leaders of Al-Qaeda? – Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton: Leader of the Free world? – etc. etc.

The word ‘Leader’, with its hundreds of millions of different definitions and its absurd labeling of the unworthy, seems to have lost its way.

With the word ‘Leader’ and its meaning, beaten down into an utter muddled hot mess and in to an indistinguishable state, I felt that for my purposes, a new word was in order for use in explaining this subset needed for “Persistence.”

Alone, or working alongside 100 people, someone must be in charge and stand up and pull it all together or it’s guaranteed that all hell will break loose and failure will be consequential.

That someone is an “Initiagogue.”

The act of starting your Success Quest by yourself will be enough of a prompt, involuntarily or of your own volition, to set in motion, the development and adoption of the attributes of an ‘Initiagogue.

In order for ‘Persistence’ to be viable and sustainable there always must be, at least, one person that has the strength and presence of mind to “assume the mantle.” Someone to lead the way and infuse their courage and strength into the rest of the people involved.

There must be that one person, who’s in the proper defensive frame of mind when obstacles and setbacks rear their ugly heads. This person should have the courage and fortitude to rise and be able to “Stand Alone” when others wilt and succumb to the pressure.

The ‘initiagogue’ is the one, in the midst of the chaos or confusion, who calmly and deliberately exclaims: “We’re going to be ok. We’ll never give up! Let’s keep going.” Persistence is a no-brainer for them.

In addition to possessing “Grit” and the power of “Resiliency” (see both above) another important attribute that’s needed to complete the circle of what it takes to be an “Initiagogue” is having the fortitude and endurance to be able to ‘Stand Alone’

The Initiagogue Take-Away: Fortitude and endurance to ‘Stand Alone’ is the one extreme difference between a leader and a leader on “steroids”, or an ‘initiagogue.’

Asking what the difference is between an initiagogue and a leader, is basically like asking what’s the difference between a School bus driver and a professional race car driver?

The world needs humans that have the fortitude and endurance to “Stand Alone.” Being confident, comfortable and secure in being able to “Stand Alone” is enormously powerful and invigorating.

“Stand Alones” have the fortitude, endurance and gutsiness to “stand up and go it alone” if and when they have to. The one extra “chromosome” that they have, gives the “Stand Alones,” that spectacular edge over anyone they come in contact with or invariably come up against.

A “Stand Alone” has the determination and know how to stand firm when everyone around them is losing it. They have the strength to remain upright when everyone and everything around them is wilting and fading away.

To “Stand Alone” is not to only go it alone. To “Stand Alone” is also to push and pull with everyone and make sure they all make it to the other side.

To “Stand Alone” is to be the one that turns off the lights and the last one to say goodnight but most important of all, it’s the one who has the Fortitude, endurance and strength of character to be the one standing guard, eyes wide open . . . alone if need be.

Sidebar: To enable and empower “Persistence” to support, encircle and embrace your “purpose” and your “goals” and bring you across the threshold of success, an initiagogue must lead the charge. They’re responsible to guide, support, nurture and direct everyone and everything on the Success Quest.

Are you a leader or want to be a leader? Are you sure about that? Maybe it’s time to rethink the answer to that question.

Being an “initiagogue” is so much bigger and so much more powerful.

 Persistence Subset #4: Purpose and Goals:

IMPORTANT: The subject of “Purpose and Goals” deserves a section of it’s own. A more comprehensive discussion of both will follow later in this article.

Reminder: “All information and concepts in this article could and should be used interchangeably, for “goal” setting and/or for discovering your “purpose” in life.”

Dictionary Definition of Purpose: the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. A person’s sense of resolve or determination. Personal statement about an individual and what influences, interests, and plans they have for the future.

Dictionary Definition of Goal: An observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed timeframe

The Bottom Line: ‘Purpose’ is a reason for doing something. The overall big picture. ‘Goals’ are the ‘end result’ that one hopes to achieve. ‘Goals’ could help you to bring life to your ‘purpose’.

Your purpose and your goals are essential components of your Success Support Arsenal. They’re tools. That’s all they are. If they don’t exist for you at this moment don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to fail. Life will go on and you’ll figure it out.

Personal Note: The fact that you’re reading ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ is proof enough that you’re seriously ambitious, you don’t want to remain where you are, you’re on the proverbial road to success and, all you have to do is make a few tweaks in your navigation system.

Your Success Quest is a process. It’s a business and personal learning process. It’s not only a journey to “fame and fortune.” It’s going to be the educational equivalent of you earning a master’s degree in business or in life. It’s going to be an introspective and enlightening expedition for you and anyone else involved with you.

Relax. It will all fall into place. Your ‘Purpose’ will come forth when it’s ready to reveal itself, and with it, will come the clarity of mind to assemble the appropriate goals to achieve what you need to achieve.

MOVING FORWARD. . .

There are a few things you’ll need to do, and to know, in order to help your “Purpose” reveal itself. The first and foremost piece of information that you need is to be acutely aware of where you’re headed by opening your “ize.”

The ‘ize’ Application that is.

The ‘ize’ Application: Recognize, Customize, Prioritize and Actualize.

This Success Support Tool is a 4 step process that will facilitate the establishment and development of your Goals and even your Purposes in life. It’s one of several tools I created to help me along on my Success Quest. It’s a guide. There are several other tools that we’ll discuss later in this article.

Onward and Upward to The ‘ize’ Application:

Step 1- Recognize:

The obvious first step is to figure out your “goals” and/or discover your “purpose” in life. More importantly you need to “recognize” them when they appear. In order to do this, write down all your thoughts no matter how crazy they appear to be. It’s called Mind-Dumping. Don’t judge, criticize, modify or delete. Let it roll and don’t stop.

After a few days of Mind-Dumping stop and leave it sit for 3-5 days and not think about it again. When you return then see what floats to the surface. You’ll see later in the article that you never delete an idea. I will give you a tool to categorize your hard work.

Step 2- Customize:

Break down your goals in to the smallest segments possible. Write down how you’re going to make them happen. How are you going to make them work for you? They’re your tools. They should be moderately challenging and yet not difficult enough to force you to turn your back on them.

The key question: What do I need to do to achieve my goals and/or my purposes?

Step 3-Prioritize: Once you’ve “recognized” your goals it’s now time to “schedule” your goals. You will be breaking your goals down into flexible finish lines using varied time periods. I’ll explain later in this article.

SideBar: I believe that your, the operative word being “Your”, “goals” are tools to effect change in your life. I believe that goals should be flexible and accommodating for you and your life.

The operative word in creating Goals and Purposes is “flexibility.” Goals and Purposes should be motivators not frustrators.

Step 4- Actualize: It’s time to launch and work on achieving your goals and/or purposes. The key here is to follow what you planned and take notes on your daily progress.

The above 4 steps of the “ize” application should be a barren board when starting. Everyone is different but the “ize” application should be used in the same way by everyone. I just laid out each simple step and what each step should be. It’s your mission, if you choose to accept it, to fill them all in.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The balance of this article will discuss relevant and concise information that’s also needed for goal and/or purpose setting. The information that you discover about you, your goals and/or purposes should be entered under the appropriate step in The “ize” application.

With that all said:

Reminder: All information and concepts in this article could and should be used interchangeably, for “goal” setting and/or for discovering your “purpose” in life.

When you eventually create and actualize a purpose, that’s the moment in time that your life begins its renovation and refinement. At that moment, your life not only establishes a new direction, but it initiates a new and invigorated determination and resolve that not only will affect you, but it will affect everyone in your sphere of influence and beyond.

Possessing a luminously defined purpose in your life will give rise to an inexplicable, potent source of energy, that will provide you with the physical stamina and mental toughness needed, to maintain the relentless and demanding pace of a Success Quest.

If you do happen to find your purpose and passion that’s great. What if you can’t and you don’t?” How do you still go about developing the energy and desire to continue exploring and investigating?

The first thing you’ll do is to move gently and deliberately and go out and start to create a state of “equanimity” in your life. Equanimity is defined as mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in difficult situations. How do you do this?

“What you do, is accept the fact that you’re not happy where you are in life, and that you don’t want to remain within those boundaries and borders anymore.” By accepting this simple fact, you must also understand that this is a “purpose.”

Congratulations, it’s your purpose for now. It’s a great “purpose.”

Finding a purpose in life is not about being suddenly hit with a powerful spiritual awakening or a grand plan that appears, and you’re on your way to a life of happiness and riches.

Finding a purpose, is not an exact science and it’s not about just being out to get yours and cranking out ways to carve a place in the universe for yourself.

Finding a purpose should be about the consummate act of love and respect for yourself. It should be about creating a place where your heart is enabled, willing and ready to create the positive experiences that spark the incendiary energy that literally launches you out of bed every morning.

Having a purpose in life is about having some sense, or idea, of what you want and more often than not, it’s knowing what you don’t want that helps your “purpose” break through.

The Beatles said it best with 3 simple, yet very powerful, words:
Let it be, let it be
 Let it be, let it be
Yeah, there will be an answer, let it be

Relax, you’ll be okay. Let it be. It will happen. With patience, determination and exploration, you’ll meet up with your “purpose.”

Here’s what you need to do:

You’re not a material object or a one dimensional being. You’re a human with diverse views and ideas. You’re a human with a multiplicity of emotions intermittently swirling around and through you. You’re unique. You’re different. You have many interests. You want to try many things in life.

So why do you need to have a “Purpose” in life? Embracing one way to move forward? One way and only one road to travel?

Someone once said to me that I was a multitasker and was able to do many things at the same time. I am, I can, I want to and so can you. Why stress yourself out working hard to discover that one thing that will give you direction when there may be several things that will inspire, energize and motivate you.

Why limit yourself to one “purpose” and build virtual boundaries, borders and blockades, all discouraging you to be open to, and aware of, other possibilities.

We’re all different. That’s what being alive is all about. We all don’t all learn the same way or enjoy life the same way. Being different, and accepting the fact that being different is a gift, you’ll come to realize that having a “Purpose” or “Purposes “can come in several different “flavors” and “sizes “as well. It’s the way life’s supposed to be.

SideBar Part 1: After many years I finally found what I want to do in life. I want to be able to make a difference in the world. Yet, every day, I still find situations or possibilities that also excite me. They may excite me for the moment and flameout in a few hours (Yes I’m Fickle) or they may simmer on the back burner for a long stretch of time. No matter what, I’ll keep them compartmentalized and review them from time to time.

SideBar Part 1A: I’m not a believer of having one purpose in a lifetime. Working on several “purposes” or “passions” at the same time is made possible by having the proper Success Support and Success Arsenal wrapped around you.

We’re not only all affected by the people and situations within our local boundaries and borders, but also by the people and situations worldwide. We’re affected by technology, which is on a faster track than ever before and very soon, I’m sure someone from the other side of the globe will be able to visit you as a hologram and hang out with you.

Being exposed and having access to worldwide technology, information, enlightenment and influence will affect and refine who we are today in a very positive way. This ever changing world will slowly, or possibly at lightning speeds, morph us all into someone bigger and stronger than we were yesterday. Your “purpose” today could easily become part of a collection of “purposes” that mean a lot to you.

Today, the only way to view our lives is with a wide angle lens. To be successful you must at least attempt to view and grasp the big picture. It’s a new world, and we all should know that we have the option, to learn how to work with several purposes at one time. The world is way too expansive for us to bind and confine ourselves to restrictive mental and physical boundaries and borders. This is no longer the world your daddy and his daddy grew up in. Hell, it’s not even the world your older siblings grew up in.

The operative words for this exciting but daunting state of life is “Control Your Narrative.” This is your story. This is your life. Do what makes you happy and energized. There is no right way or wrong way for you to be able to find your “purpose.”

SideBar: Please read ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ for the Success Support that you’ll need.

Building a Success Support Community and a Success Support Arsenal will give you the foundation needed to work on your “purpose/purposes” in life.

You can set up any system that you’re comfortable with to save all the possible “purposes” you uncover and discover during your exploration and investigation operation. There are three categories I use to keep track of what gets me out of bed in the morning.

I don’t delete or deflect any notion that I find heart-stopping, thrilling, awe-inspiring or just plain vanilla exciting. I also include a date when I record any new “Purpose” or “Passion”. There may come a time when I’ll let one go. I’m very discriminating and conscientious when deciding if and when I’ll cut the cord of one of my “purposes.” I haven’t so far and its been years since I did.

Now it’s time to P.A.N-ify: Purposeful Purposes; Aimless Purposes; Nebulous Purposes:

P.a.n-ifying enables you to hold on to all your “purposes” without getting distracted or diverted. It gives you the opportunity to compartmentalize and track all the purposes that excite and incite you. You do not have to give up on any one of them until you’re ready to.

P.A.N-ify Group 1- Purposeful Purposes:

This is where the dominant “Purposes” are placed and it’s the space where they position themselves in expectation of your interaction with them. These are the serious and determined “Purposes” that are ready and able to rise and move forward with you. This group fosters the “Purposes” that have made the most impact on your state of mind.

In this section lie the potent ones. The ones that move you the most. The ones that have a “body and soul” to them. These are the ones that dominate and mobilize your thoughts and emotions

You may be fortunate enough to discover your” Purpose” early on and maybe not. This category could lay barren for a while as you practice, explore, experience and experiment (The p.e.e.e. Concept) with each one of the entries in the Aimless Purposes and the Needless Purposes categories below. This is not a bad thing.

There could be one “Purpose” that makes a huge impact or several exciting ones. They could change often or not at all. The point is I refuse to box myself in to one “purpose.” That’s not what life should be about. I don’t know which one will energize and take off first but that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. Hopefully they all will. That should be my biggest problem in life. I’ll worry about it at that point. I got a lot of things I need to do.

Today, I have four intense “purposes” in this category:

1- Rebuild my business and financial life to where it used to be.
2- Achieve great success in the digital world.
3- Build a world-wide organization that has the financial and physical assets and power to protect, rescue and provide food and shelter for animals all over the world.
4- Build an organization to help and support orphans and foster kids who “age-out” and have nowhere to go.

To give your important life purposes the attention needed it’s important to give them a regular tune-up.

Apply my ‘3R Concept’: Retreat/ Review, Reevaluate, Recommence, weekly to check on your purposes in the Purposeful Purposes category only:

1- See if they’re getting the respect and attention they deserve. If not? Why Not?
2-Do they still earn a place on the table? If not? Why not?
3-Do you get excited about the future when thinking about each one. If not? Why Not?
4-Decide the position and status of each” purpose” and proceed accordingly

I keep notes on each “Purpose.” I read articles and do research on all of them. These are all part of my Success Quest Arsenal. These keep me going. They give me the energy and the willpower to deflect and reflect obstacles and setbacks.

There will be “experts” that will jump up and down rambling on about me not being focused. How many hours of each day should I focus on a purpose? How many days a week should I focus on a purpose? They don’t know and I don’t know. If living with more than one purpose excites, encourages and gives me hope for the future I’ll keep on my path thank you.

I review them every day. My attention to each is intermittent and randomly scheduled. There are times I may work on all of them for an hour each, in one day, or there are times I may be consumed by one for days. The point is that I take notes and keep files.

I have these four master “Purposeful Purposes” available to me at all times and most important of all they all generate hope and exciting possibilities for me.

P.A.N-ify Group 2- Aimless Purposes:

Aimless: Without intentions or goals. Lacking direction or purpose:

Here you’ll find the “I don’t know why, I just want to” options. They generate high spirits and feel-good moments. They inspire you. You understand them. They’re clear and make sense to you. They add “somewhat” of a sense of purpose for you. Here you’ll find things that you may enjoy and not necessarily want it to be your up-front life’s purpose . . . today. You’re confused because there are so many potential “purposes.” That’s good. List them all.

For now, you want them to take a back seat to your main purposes in the Purposeful Purposes category but, you do want them along for the ride and to stay close by.

It’s difficult to be able to discern and recognize the predominate purpose in your life. Listing these secondary purposes ensures that all your options remain on the table. There are way too many stories of people believing that they found their purpose and unfortunately, months or years down the road, they realize they were wrong.

Aimless Purposes, and even Nebulous Purposes below, provide a master living space for all your options to “live and breathe” while you practice, explore, experience and experiment with each one (The p.e.e.e. Concept).

You could never have too many purposes on paper. The important point is, that after applying ‘The p.e.e.e Concept’ to every one of your secondary options, you’ll have enough information to make smart decisions regarding the 3 available options you have:

1-Move it up to Purposeful Purposes or down to Nebulous Purposes.

2- Let it be and leave it where it’s classified currently or

3- Let it go.

Some examples of an Aimless Purpose: Volunteering to read to the elderly in your neighborhood; learning how to do pottery and selling them and donating the proceeds to an animal shelter or learning a new language and then help immigrants learn how to speak English. These are only “Aimless Purposes” for now because you’re not sure where they’ll take you. They’re all worthy “purposes” for sure.

Will one of these lead to your Master Purpose? You don’t know unless you keep it in your life and until you’re ready to let it go.

P.A.N-ify Group 3- Nebulous Purposes:

Nebulous: Of a concept or idea that is unclear, vague, or ill-defined. synonyms: vague, ill-defined, unclear, hazy, uncertain, indefinite, indeterminate, imprecise, unformed, muddled, confused, ambiguous “nebulous ideas”

Another place on the table is reserved for the Nebulous Purposes.

In this category are situations that “stir the heart” but on the surface they appear to be irrelevant to you and your life today and you’re keeping them around “just in case.” You don’t see a big picture here as of today.

You can’t get a clear picture of this “purpose.” These are the “purposes” that don’t make sense at all at this point in time. You don’t quite understand the allure that they have. There’s something, maybe just a little something, but a something nevertheless, that is attracting you to it. They’re easy and don’t seem to take up much time at this point in your life.

How to confirm that a “purpose” you’re thinking about belongs in the ‘Nebulous Purpose’ Category: As you smile at yourself looking in the mirror thinking about a purpose, you find the words, “I must be going out of my mind,” coming out of your mouth. That’s how.

An example, an over the top one to make things interesting, of this category would be that you’re working for a company as an accountant and you’re thinking about starting your own accounting firm. You’re excited and inspired by thoughts of how’ll you’ll get it accomplished but, thoughts about moving out west to become a cowboy and saving wild horses seems to gnaw at you. These thoughts roll in and out intermittently and at the most random moments.

It’s energizing and exhilarating to daydream and fantasize. In most cases there are many layers to peel financially, mentally and emotionally, before you get to the heart of your Success Quest and find your true love and your true purpose. Where you are today, is not necessarily where you’re going to leave your mark and your legacy in the world.

Being a cowboy doesn’t make sense at all today, but what about in the years to come. Assume you start your accounting business and its spectacularly successful. You expand and open many offices across the country including the states of Texas, Kansas and Utah, all considered Cowboy country. Coincidence?

Why track and foster Aimless and Nebulous Purposes? Because . . .” You just never know” where they’ll take you. I love those four simple words: “You Just Never Know”

“You Just Never Know”: Remember these simple words when you find yourself hesitating and agonizing over whether or not, to add “new and uncharted Purposes” to your lists.

Your Nebulous Purposes: Don’t judge them. Don’t discount them. Don’t assume anything. Don’t take anything for granted. Let them live. Let them be. Let the light shine on them. Don’t have them hide in the shadows. Give them nurture and respect and they’ll return the same. They’ll guide you. They’ll let you know when it’s time to pull the plug and let them go. If you “listen” carefully they’ll let you know in what direction you should go.

You’re different. I’m different. We all know that no two people are exactly alike. Each of us are who we are and what we’re made of, as a result of the many years of the assimilation of our own personal situations and experiences, thoughts, desires, emotions and especially, the impact of the consequences created by human interactions and influences.

SideBar: Customize, categorize and prioritize all your “Purposes” the way you want to. Embrace them and respect them. This is for you. This is about you. You’re a unique human being with unique desires and unique goals and purposes. The only opinion that matters is yours.

 What’s Next? What’s Life Like After Starting to Track, Customize, Categorize and Prioritize Your ‘Purposes’?

There are a few things in your Success Support Arsenal that you must affect and make readily available 24/7:

1- Keep ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ and ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ close by.
2- Keep ‘The 3R Concept’ readily available and use it freely and often to make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
3-Reach into your Success Support Arsenal and make room on the table for ‘Goals’.
4- Apply my D.R.E.A.M initiative to these ‘Goals’ for the development of all the relevant information that you need: Decisions Reconcile Explore Action Modify.

“Waste of Time” Warning: I don’t want you to have to waste your time with semantics and what a “Goal” means versus what a “Purpose” means. The internet abounds with millions of versions of the meaning of these two words. The meanings you see here are based on what I’ve absorbed from dictionaries, over 50 years of business and life experiences and from umpteen hours of reading and research. You could always check it out on your own.

REMINDER: All information and concepts in this article could and should be used interchangeably, for “goal” setting and/or for discovering your “purpose” in life.

YOUR GOALS:

“Goal” Defined: I gave you the dictionary’s definition of a goal at the beginning of this section. My definition of a “Goal” is that it’s the “how” for the “what” in your life. How are you going to accomplish the purpose in your life?

Two scenarios:

a- “I don’t have a purpose yet”: You still can plan your life and establish goals. Goals motivate and enable you to measure and “touch” your progress with your mind’s eye and of course, physically as well.
b- “I have a purpose. I actually have several in each of the 3 categories- Purposeful, Aimless and Nebulous.” That’s great, but the only intense focus you need to have is on the Purposeful Purposes only. Aimless and Nebulous purposes are there for you to practice, explore, experience and experiment with each one (The p.e.e.e. Concept). This concept should also be applied to the Purposeful Purposes as well and this category should always be your priority and primary focus.

“Stuff” About Goals:

1- There are two revered positions where Goals vigorously support and effect change in your life:

a-Life within your “Purpose Sphere.”: Here the goals are established and developed to support your purposes. Example: One Purpose is to: To start a rescue organization to save animals. Your Goals: To raise $10,000 within 12 months to start the organization. In 30 days I want to take a business course. Within 6 months I want to meet 5 owners of successful rescue organizations. I want to be fully functional in 13 months from today.

b. Life outside of your “Purpose Sphere.”: I want to lose 20 pounds by 6 months from now and get in shape. I want to join a social network group and meet 10 interesting new people with “friend potential” within two months from now. I want to save $1000 by 5 months from today.

2- Goals come in four weights:
• Class 1- lightweight: “I want to clean my home office by the weekend”
• Class 2- Welterweight: “I want to paint my home office in 6 months when I have some time off”
• Class 3- Middleweight: “I want to rent an office outside of my home within two years.”
• Class 4- Heavyweight: “I want to but an office/warehouse building in 4 years.”

3- Goals are compartmentalized into 4 time periods:
a. At once- within 30 days
b. Short term- within 1 year
c. Intermediate- 1 year to 3 years
d. Long term- 3 years to till death do you part.

Here are two prodigious tools, found in your Success Support Arsenal, that will lift you to the vertex of brainstorming, when establishing and developing your goals:

Reminder: All information and concepts in this article could and should be used interchangeably, for “goal” setting and/or for discovering your “purpose” in life.

TOOL # 1- This Simple Success Support Tool is the most extraordinary, consequential and compelling tool that exists, and is unconditionally and generously available to all of us:

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you “The Question”

Please see more information on “Questions” in Chapter 4: 3R’s section A- R&R.

In Addition: I would like to emphatically suggest that you read my article, here on itsallpossible.com, entitled “The Most Powerful Tool in Your Success Support Arsenal is Free and Available 24/7. Are You Using it?”

It’s a comprehensive article on the subject of “Questions.” In this section I’m going to offer suggestions on the kinds of questions to ask yourself to help develop your goals and/or purposes in life.

Part 1- Complete these statements:
• Living is not for everyone but for me . . .
• The perfect world for me would be . . .
• If I decided not to wake up tomorrow this is the note I would leave . . . (Sorry, morbid but effective)
• If you knew that you would not wake up in the morning you would . . . (Sorry, morbid but effective)
• The things that make me happy are . . .
• The people that make me happy are . . .
• If I could live my life over again I . . .
• The problem isn’t that life’s unfair . . .
• I hate to always have to . . .
• I get exciting when I know I can . . .
• I did something really special and . . . Write one paragraph.
• I wish I was like ________ and had what _______ has. Why?

Part 2- Questions to be answered:
What are you good at?
What excites you?
What difference do you want to make in the world?
What do I wish I spent more time doing?
What do other people always thank me for?
When was the last time I really got excited and had fun? What was it?
What do I daydream about?
What are your passions?
You’re great at______? How did you get so great at it?
What kind of work would you do for free if you were able to?
What are you insecure about?
What can you do to change and eliminate or at least be able to tolerate these insecurities?

Part 3- Googlearian Alert- Copy and paste these search phrases for more questions:

My Purpose or My Goal
The top 3 questions to ask about life
10 best questions to  (Google this way. Don’t add anything.)
The top 3 questions that will change your life forever
The top 3 questions that could save lives

These are just a few examples of questions that you could use to establish and develop your goals and/or your purposes. Get creative and make a few of your own.

TOOL # 2- ‘The D.R.E.A.M Initiative’: Decisions Reconcile Explore Action Modify

SideBar: ‘The D.R.E.A.M Initiative’ will serve as a blueprint, a general summary or a step by step guide for initiating and developing, not only your goals and purposes, but for your overall Success Quest as well.

Once Again: All information and concepts in this article could and should be used interchangeably, for “goal” setting and/or for discovering your “purpose” in life.

Decisions – You made the most important determination of your life and now you’ve come to a formidable decision to sit down and plan your life. You commit, inexorably and unyieldingly, to forge ahead no matter what in order to achieve the goal of making your dreams come true.

Reconcile- Making a commitment to make your dreams come true is a lofty one and it brings along with it many stiff challenges. You must reconcile your goals with your current way of life. Do they fit? Are you ready for the sacrifices that will be calling on you? You must let the people you love, and who love you, in on what you’re going after. Let them know what to expect from you and what you expect from them.

Explore- Goals do not make house calls. It takes some “push and pull” combined with the strong desire not to remain where you are in life and move forward towards achieving your dreams.

“Practicing, Exploring, Experiencing and Experimenting” (The p.e.e.e Concept) are compelling investigation, detection, educational and fact-finding tools in your Success Support Arsenal that will allow you to discover and bring your goals to light and to the forefront of the blueprint of your life’s strategic plan. They will help you move your goals beyond your mind’s eye and onto the table for strategic planning.

Action – Once you’re comfortable that you’ve recognized your goals and that they absolutely and positively “feel right,” then you’re ready to mobilize and start your Success Quest.

Using the following tools, that we discussed earlier, you’ll be able you to establish and develop your goals and your “purposes” in life.

All these tools are compelling investigation, detection, educational and fact-finding tools that will guide you and support you and enable you to make great strides on your Success Quest and, they’ll make for a powerful and invincible Success Support Arsenal.

• ‘The D.R.E.A.M Initiative’: ‘The D.R.E.A.M Initiative’ will serve as a simple blueprint, a general summary or a step by step guide for initiating and developing, not only your goals and purposes, but for your overall Success Quest as well
•  “Questions”: All roads lead back to the right questions- See above and read my article here on itsallpossible.com entitled “The Most Powerful Tool in Your Success Support Arsenal is Free and Available 24/7. Are You Using it?”
• ‘3R Concept’: The tune-up kit- Retreat/ Review, Reevaluate, Recommence,
• ‘The P.e.e.e Concept’: “Practicing, Exploring, Experiencing and Experimenting” are compelling detection, educational and fact-finding tools in your Success Support Arsenal. This will get the answers, facts and education that you need.
• ‘The ‘ize’ Application’: Recognize, Customize, Prioritize and Actualize. This will mobilize and move your goal up to and out of, the starting gate.
• P.A.N-ify: Purposeful Purposes; Aimless Purposes; Nebulous Purposes . . . Used to categorize and prioritize your purposes in life. Enables you to hold on to all your purposes without getting distracted or diverted.

Modify- Don’t get so attached to any one goal that it blinds you to the truth and reality of it. Keep an open mind. If the directives in The 3R’s Concept uncover anything that could be harmful or damaging because of any one goal in the near future or beyond, or they reveal hot zones, then modify and assess it all. Change direction and adapt.

Don’t be intimidated by a goal. They’re your tool. They work for you. Replace them or modify them is all up to you. You should be monitoring everything and anything all the time. The 3R’s Concept will help you accomplish this.

Be intentionally “positively negative” and ask these types of questions, e.g. Do I still feel good about this goal? Has my life changed and made a goal more relevant or irrelevant? How do the results in my journal look? Am I on schedule? Do I need to change the schedule? etc.

There’s a lot to absorb in Part 5 Persistence. Please take your time. The advice I gave you here and in all of The t.r.i.p Concept: Truth + Reality + Inspiration+ Positivity and The i.m.a.p.p Concept: Inspiration + Motivation + Action + People + Persistence is based on over 55 years of experience. I hope it helps you. I’m available for questions if you need help. I would also like to hear your advice, experiences and opinions.

Please Note: All the concepts, their subsets and all the information in this component, Part 5 Persistence, will be followed up with a continuous flow of articles expanding on all the information discussed in this entire component. I will add innumerable articles with a multiplicity of new topics all written to guide you on your Success Quest.

Good luck. You’ll do fine. Stay safe out there. Never give up. Never ever. You cannot fail if you refuse to give up.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ Part 4. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me.

Please feel free to explore and read ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ and the ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept.’

At the end of this post, for your convenience, there are direct links to each part of “The t.r.i.p Concept” and “The i.m.a.p.p Concept.

The two concepts, a total of 9 separate components, are made up of a total of 170 pages with approx. 44,000 words. Each component is easy to read and they’re meant to be reviewed slowly and deliberately.

If you go to the top of the home page for www.itsallpossible.com , you’ll see the two concepts listed and each one has a drop down that lists the components and allows for you to access one component at a time.

Here’s how it lays out:

“The t.r.i.p Concept”: Part #1-Truth; Part #2- Reality; Part #3- Inspiration; Part #4- Positivity

“The i.m.a.p.p Concept”: Part #1-Inspiration; Part #2-Motivation; Part #3- Action; Part #4-People; Part # 5- Persistence.”

Your Success Support Arsenal: ‘The t.r.i.p Concept’ gets you to the starting gate; ‘The i.m.a.p.p Concept’ gets you to the finish line.

• Phase 1: The t.r.i.p Concept: Truth + Reality + Inspiration+ Positivity
• Phase 2: The i.m.a.p.p Concept: Inspiration + Motivation + Action + People + Persistence
• Phase 3: The two concepts begin working in tandem and now in phase 3 they’re all working together. Combining all the components in both concepts creates a firm foundation for a very compelling Success Support Arsenal.

I welcome all comments. Actually, your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Raw or well done, I’ll take it all.

Direct Links to Each Part of “The t.r.i.p Concept” & “The i.m.a.p.p Concept”

“The t.r.i.p Concept”: This Concept Will Get You to The Starting Gate.

 Part #1 Truth: “The t.r.i.p Concept”

 Part #2 Reality: “The t.r.i.p Concept”

 Part #3 Inspiration: “The t.r.i.p Concept”

Part #4 Positivity: “The t.r.i.p Concept”

“The i.m.a.p.p Concept”: This Concept Will Get You to the Finish Line.

Part #1 Inspiration Too: “The i.m.a.p.p Concept”

Part #2 Motivation: “The i.m.a.p.p Concept”

Part #3 Action: “The i.m.a.p.p Concept”

Part #4 People: “The i.m.a.p.p Concept”

Part #5 Persistence: “The i.m.a.p.p Concept”

 Once again, thank you very much for stopping by. If you have any questions or advice, please feel free to email me at [email protected]

Extra Stuff- My concepts and all the articles I’ll write, are all backed by:

• Over 55 years of “street” experience.
• Over 40 years of starting and building physical, virtual world and internet businesses.
• Over 40 years of starting and building many different types of businesses.
• Becoming a millionaire and then “turning my back” and “walking” away from it. I’m much stronger now than I was then and I know exactly what I did wrong. I’m working on getting it back. Please feel free to come along with me on my Success Quest and I hope that you bring your Success Quest along as well. I would love the company and besides, I have many powerful and impactful teachable moments to share.
• Knowing hundreds and hundreds of wealthy and/or successful men and woman over 60.
• Knowing hundreds and hundreds of wealthy and/or successful men and women under 60
• Knowing thousands of successful people from all around the world through face to face networking, social media and as serving as President of Macaby Group, an international company.
• Started, and never stopped, reading and studying about Positivity and Success back in 1975 as a young Stockbroker trainee for a brokerage company named E.F. Hutton. They gave us the book, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, to read and study as part of our training program.
• Dreamed of being rich since 1962, when I was 10 years old and when my father left for the first time. He left a total of 3 times. Finally, he was gone for good the third time. You know the saying . . .
• My attitude: “You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit.”
• Over 40 years of doing many smart things and doing some very dumb things. Huge lessons learned.
• I’m a good “beginner” and I’ve learned many, many, many things from my over 40 years of mistakes and missteps.

Please read my “about” page for more information and visit:

My Facebook Pages:

www.facebook.com/barry.sarner If you’re an animal lover, please come meet 5000 other animal loving friends on my Facebook page.

www.positivemessagesuniverse.com  Need some positivity? Please visit my Facebook page for positive messages.

My Twitter Page:

www.twitter.com/barrysarner Need another dose of positivity? Please visit my twitter page.

My Linked-in Page:

www.linkedin.com/in/barrysarner Please come visit me here and read additional articles that I’ve written and see what my day job is all about.

My blog is about building a powerful “two way” success support community and your participation is respectfully requested, needed and greatly appreciated.

Warm Regards,
Barry