The Spark That Starts and Sustains Success

Whether you make New Year’s Resolutions or not, you likely regularly set goals for yourself and your life. How are you doing with those?

Have you abandoned any intentions this year, like the intention to exercise, eat healthier, read more, or develop a business idea? Did you have this burning "want" to achieve your goals for a time only to talk yourself out of your big idea or run out of steam pursuing it?

Today, you’ll learn about a key ingredient to succeed in reaching your goals, whatever they may be. Plus, we’ll offer some tips on maintaining that spark that fuels your success.

​Ready to find out what the spark is all about?

Desire is the strong want to have something or for something to happen. It’s drive and passion. It’s the fuel that ignites your success and keeps it going.

Self-development author Napoleon Hill, who studied some of the world’s most successful people, mentions desire many times in his books, especially “Think and Grow Rich.” Take a look at some of what he says about it:

“There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.”

“We rise to high positions or remain at the bottom because of conditions we can control if we desire to control them.”

“Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.”

​Nothing can stand between you and your goal if you keep that strong desire. That "want" puts the odds in your favor that you’ll succeed.

Unfortunately, most people don’t reach their goals, not because they fail, but because they lose the strong want they had. The going gets tough or monotonous, and what once was an intense flame turns weak. Without additional fuel, that flame can flicker out and die.

One of the most fundamental secrets of success is keeping the fire of desire burning.

​So, how can you keep that fire stoked so that you don’t become a person who continually abandons goals? Let’s look at some tips for maintaining desire.

The short of it is you can’t put your best foot forward at achieving anything unless you really desire to do it or get the benefits of it. So, how can you fan that flame when it starts to dwindle?

Vague goals lead to wandering. Wandering is a great way to grow tired of trying to reach a goal. You get zero fulfillment from passing the same mile marker on the trail—you’ve wasted time and energy without getting closer to your destination.

Establish a clear goal. Do you want to earn an extra $10,000 this year? Drop an extra 20 pounds? Read five books?

​Be specific about what you want. Set an achievable timeline. Then, set out after it.

Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

Keeping the desire in your heart to achieve something has a lot to do with whether or not you think you will one day reach that goal.

Can you imagine setting out on a long journey, already deciding that you won’t reach it? It wouldn’t be long before you threw in the towel and decided the trip wasn’t worth the time or effort.

​Visualize yourself achieving your goal to keep your desire burning. What does it look like? How has it improved your life?

None of us want something just for the sake of wanting it. We all want something because we think we’ll be happier with it. When you visualize your success, don’t just imagine having the thing—imagine the good feelings that come with it.

What kinds of good feelings come with just about any goal? Feelings of pride and accomplishment for overcoming hard things. Relief at being able to rest after what felt like an uphill battle. Perhaps feelings of more financial stability.

​Don’t attach yourself to the goal or item, as trophies lose their shine. Attach yourself to the positive emotions of progress and growth.

A desire without action is a dream that can die. It’s almost like announcing you’re going on a trip but never actually booking a hotel, packing your bags, or getting in your car.

You’ll surely lose desire if you do nothing about it. Start with small steps that move you toward your dream goal.

Begin the minute that desire pops into your head. What can you do in the next two minutes that moves you closer to your ambition? That two minutes of time fans the flame of desire in you and lights up the next step in your path.

Consistency is your best friend. Keep taking small actions daily that move you closer to the goal. Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. Progress is more fuel for your flame.

​Any misstep is a lesson on what to avoid. Take it as a learning opportunity, and alter your path accordingly.

You become who you surround yourself with.

Fill your inner circle with people who support your dreams and want to see you succeed. Fill it with helpers and cheerleaders. Fill it with others who habitually pursue their passions so you can learn from them and harness their positive energy.

Filling your inner circle with supportive friends, family, and mentors can be easier said than done in certain circumstances. You may not know many people like that.

​If you have an internet connection, you have access to supportive people who can uplift you and propel you towards success. An excellent place online to start looking is a success book club membership or a mastermind group to connect with others just as dedicated to success and self-improvement as you are.

There’s no motivation to set and reach goals without desire. Connect to your fuel source and strengthen the fire (desire) inside you, and you will succeed. Remember to: