You know what you want, now see exactly how to get it.

College is all about balancing many things at once, anything from the process of getting into college to the first day of class, mid terms and finals. For us Adults returning to college we can’t just put life on hold while we go back to college so each of these things are balanced in combination with a job, kids, a relationship, community commitments and more. So let’s look at 7 ways to keep things simple and succeed.

Just my style

Especially when you are planning and working around specific events like the holidays, a plan to succeed is vital to get you through.

What we’re going to do is to help you streamline this process so that your time is more manageable and your success becomes a reality.

1. What is your goal

For each large task you have in college be sure to know what you are looking to accomplish, I’d keep this to just a few words defining the goal should not be a labor intensive project itself. Having a goal lets us know when we’re successful.

If you don’t have a goal, how do you know when you’re successful?

2. Plan your success, make it easy

Jot down simple steps to get from where you are to where you want to be. There may be multiple steps and even sub steps to get where you want to go, and that’s okay. But keep the steps simple.

When things are too complicated it’s much easier to procrastinate.

3. Be sure your goals and tasks are measurable, able to be defined.

What will you see when you know you’ve achieved each step or task. Measurable can seem like such a easily cliched word, but this is the best word to help you know when you’ve accomplished each step in the process towards your goal.

4. Outline what tools you’ll need

Pretty simple, look at what you need to get from point A to B and have all of thsese on hand.

5. What might go wrong

This is an essential step; however, I need to give a word of caution here. Think about the potential obstacles and write down exactly what you’ll do to work around these obstacles, this is critical because if you don’t plan for the what if… you’ll be surprised by it every time and it will have the potential to push you off course.

Now with that said, the other equally vital part is do not dwell on the potential problems! Thinking about them too much will also take you off course by default. I’m speaking from my own experience here. Focusing on the potential problem doesn’t mean that you’re going to foresee every one.

Instead this will often backfire by taking your mind off course and if you’re like me you’ll end up scrambling at the end to make the deadline, and what you feared will not have happened. So have a few potential problems outlined and counter actions set for these. The mini plans of action will be tools for you in case you do encounter one of the potential problems.

6. Set Deadlines

When does the project or task need to be completed? Take this date and back it up by a day or two, work towards your date so that you don’t feel rushed at the end, and if something comes up that you couldn’t for see then you’ll have the wiggle room you need to still be able to succeed.

7. Decide you are going to be a success, and commit yourself to it.

Mark the completion date on your calendar, phone, or e-mail so that you have a physical reminder that you are making these goals to succeed.

These steps are essential and they will help you succeed in college and in balancing your life, especially around the holidays when your normally busy life typically will take on so many more activities that they can feel overwhelming.

Did you find this helpful? Be sure to share this with your friends and family, retweet, digg, and make a comment.

Oh and be sure to get a Free copy of my book how to get what you want out of life from now on.

Sophie

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