Achieving success in life is a journey. Trails leading toward accomplishment focus on a clear vision and are carved out with daily personal goals. Along the way important adjustments are vital to stay the course in spite of anything that comes. A guide who leads with knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement is essential to keep moving forward and realizing the vision. All of the effort and accomplishments belong to the explorer. How they get there is up to the guide. Excellent communication and clear language become a bridge to achieving success in life. The words we choose create meaning. Our speech and gestures must inspire confidence in self and ignite heroic action.

When communication falls short and language is dismissed, interpersonal relationships are like trying to cross this bridge. Doable, but exhaustive, unstable, fearful, uncertain, frustrating, stressful, and where many choose to give up.

Adding meaning to another's life creates healthy relationships where trust, responsibility, value, empowerment, gratitude, encouragement, and happiness lead to their greatest triumph.

Here are some helps to create worth in someone's life today:

Share a word of Encouragement and Gratitude. For each person who participated in your success today encourage them with a positive action you saw and thank them. Make eye contact. Call them by name.

You can never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever Over-communicate. Be specific and clear about what is expected today to accomplish goals. Ask questions for clarity and understanding. Be aware of context.

Be Yourself. Do a self-evaluation each day. Check your physical health every day and check in with your feelings throughout the day. Ask yourself, "How am I feeling today?" "Why am I feeling this way?" Leave any personal or business emo-issues at home, in the car, in the classroom, office, or garbage can. Breathe. Remember who you are and why you are here. Smile. Focus on today’s goals and take them one at a time.

Listen. Breathe, lean in, make eye contact, and focus on them. Ask what they learned today. Ask for specifics and for clarity. Coaches: Listen to how athletes are breathing. Listen to how they enter practice and leave practice. Trust your gut and make a decision. Athletes: Listen to your coach’s words and body language. Ask questions of what to improve when you get the coach alone. Listen to your muscles. Listen to your desire and the vision of accomplishment. Entrepreneurs: Listen to your intuition. Listen to your employees. Listen to every customer complaint as if it were someone investing 200K in your company.

Be Congruent. Are the words coming out of your mouth matching up with what your face is saying? Practice in front of a mirror. Be genuine.

Evaluate the Day. What did you learn from your actions today? What can you do to improve for tomorrow? Write it down. Let today go.

Dr. Tom Lobaugh Inspiration Consultant