Before you can envision success, you have to know what success means to you. 

Is that having a million dollars in the bank? Is it having a job that pays more than $35,000?  Is it getting your Master’s Degree? Is it having a solid family relationship filled with love and support?  Maybe it’s a combination of all of those things.

The key thing is this: Know how you define success for your life.  It’s different for each of us. And often, it’s a complex web of various elements. When you are able to envision the life that you want to create for yourself, you are taking the first step toward achieving it.

Remember the concept of the Big, Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) that  Jim Collins and Jerry Porras introduced to us in the late ‘90’s? Their trend-setting article, Building Your Company’s Vision, compelled us to think, stretch and grow toward the passionate dreams we hold for ourselves (and our companies).

A BHAG (pronounced BEE-HAG) is that 10- 20- or 30- year goal that defines you (your company) in such a way that you stand apart from everyone else.  On a grand scale, it could be a company lilke Microsoft, Starbucks or Wal-Mart.  On a personal level, it might be someone who was determined to become an astronaut, the President of the United States, or someone who wanted to perform in the Olympics.

Having a solid BHAG means knowing what you are passionate about and knowing what you do better than anyone else.  And thirdly, you know the idea has economic soundness.

Here’s a little snippet of Jim Collins' work with Starbuck’s as they designed their BHAG.

What are you passionate about?  What can you be the best in the world at?  What will drive you economically?  Decide that – and you have your BHAG.

I’d love to hear from you.  Be Bold. Share your BHAG with the rest of the world!!!