Planning Your Success – Is Not Always Clear!

Success. It’s one of the most used — and most likely misunderstood — word in this new social media world we live in. Everyone wants it, few can define it, and even fewer plan for it properly. Whether it’s financial freedom, social recognition, or personal fulfillment, the road to success often starts with blurry lines and uncertain steps.

For many of us, success is this massive, glittering concept we hope to “arrive at” one day. Maybe it’s a six-figure income. Maybe it’s becoming an influencer with millions of followers. Maybe it’s just simply living on your own terms without any limitations (that’s the one I like). But here’s the truth that often gets overlooked: Success is not a destination. It’s a process.

And just like any journey, it requires a plan — even when the map isn’t crystal clear.

The Illusion of a Straight Path

We often see other people’s success stories and assume they had a clear, step-by-step roadmap. But in reality, most success journeys are full of detours, pivots, rejections, revisions and, many times, failures. Planning your route doesn’t mean knowing every detail from the start. It means preparing to take consistent daily action steps even when you’re unsure of the outcome.

Here’s a better way to look at it: Instead of chasing success – or money for that matter – like a finish line, treat it like a layered goal. Your plan should evolve as you grow. That way, you can adapt to new opportunities, market changes, or even shifts in your own personal values.

Success Isn’t Just About Money — But Let’s Talk About It

It would be dishonest to talk about success without addressing financial status. After all, money gives you options: the option to travel, to invest, to take time off, to help others. For many, it’s the first benchmark of achievement.

But here’s the trap — money alone doesn’t equal success. We’ve all seen stories of wealthy individuals who feel unfulfilled, lost, or disconnected. So when planning your success, define what financial health looks like for you. It might be:

• Becoming debt-free
• Replacing your 9-to-5 income, letting you quit that job
• Hitting six or seven figures in your career or entrepreneurship
• Having enough to retire early and fund your dream lifestyle

Money should be a tool, not the trophy. It can build your vision, support your family, and allow you to grow — but it should never define your worth. As my mentor Dean Holland says: “Don’t chase money… let money chase you!”

Social Status and the Influencer Mirage

Another big piece of the success puzzle today is online status — and in the age of social media, that often means becoming an influencer. A word I’m not too keen on using.

The appeal is obvious: large followings, brand deals, recognition, and the illusion of a perfect lifestyle. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with growing your brand or building an audience, problems arise when we chase status without substance.

Here’s the reality:

• Being “known” doesn’t always mean being respected.
• Going viral doesn’t mean you’re building something sustainable.
• Followers don’t guarantee financial success or emotional fulfillment.

If part of your plan includes becoming a public figure or influencer, that’s perfectly valid. But make sure the person you’re becoming privately aligns with who you’re showing the world publicly. That’s where real influence lives.

Planning Your Route — Even If It’s Foggy

So how do you plan your path when success feels unclear? Is there such a way for you to do so?

Well, it may not be perfect, but here are five practical ways to start that will help you immensely in making sure you’re on the right path:

1. Define What Success Looks Like for You

Forget everyone else’s version. Ask yourself:

• What do I want to achieve in 1 year? 2 years? 5 years?
• What kind of lifestyle do I want?
• What impact do I want to have on others? My family?

Make sure to write it down. Then revisit it every few months to update or refine it. I make it a plan to revisit my year at the end of each year so that I can take a look at what I had planned, where I succeeded and where I didn’t but more importantly, to make sure that I’m focused on the plan and not going astray. This end-of-year review also gives me the opportunity to plan the following year.

2. Create Milestones, Not Just Goals

Instead of setting one big goal like “make $100K this year,” break it into achievable steps.  Say “making my first $1,000.00 month” and work from there. It’s easier to see that goal as a milestone because it now gives you momentum and measurable progress to get to the next level – say $5,000.00 per month.

3. Track Both Internal and External Progress

Don’t just track income or social growth. Also ask yourself:

• Am I more confident? Am I following the path I had written down? Do I need to change it?
• Are my habits improving? Am I losing less time on unimportant things every day?
• Am I keeping myself focused on my daily, weekly, monthly goals?
• Am I learning from my mistakes?

4. Build a Resilient Foundation

Success can collapse if built on burnout. Focus on:

• Time management – I’ve talked about how important it is to block time so that you can focus on what you need to do.
• Healthy routines – I train 3 times a week. Keeps me both in good shape and let’s the “hamster in my brain” take a break from thinking about a lot of stuff!
• Seeking feedback and mentorship – you can never have enough feedback and one big way to do so is to have mentors who will unapologetically tell you how it is, without sugar-coating it.

5. Stay Adaptable

Be ready to pivot. Your plan should evolve with you — don’t be afraid to re-route based on life changes or market shifts. We all know that Social Media changes on a dime, be ready to adapt accordingly.

What Happens After You “Make It”?

Reaching a milestone doesn’t mean you’ve “made it.” In fact, it’s just the beginning of a new phase. Don’t forget, once you believe you’ve “made it” there will undoubtedly be other challenges that present themselves. You may even find yourself in a position where you not only know the solution but can provide a practical, rapid response to those challenges.

There are things that you will need to keep in mind though: it doesn’t mean that you’ve made it that you can’t help those around you to get to where you are – helping others attain their dreams is definitely a definition of being successful!

That being said, here are 4 things to keep in mind:

1. Stay Grounded

Don’t let ego lead you. Keep your values close and your circle real. You most certainly didn’t get to where you are by stepping on others; time to realize that others may need your help.

2. Invest in Sustainability

Build systems that grow with you — automation, support teams, long-term strategies.

3. Give Back

Support causes, mentor others, or simply be generous with what you’ve learned. You’d be surprised how great that can make you feel and how much more success it can bring you!

4. Set a New Vision

Keep your momentum going by challenging yourself again — not out of greed or money, but growth.

Final Thoughts: Success Is a Journey, Not a Jackpot

You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. Clarity often comes after action. Start where you are. Reflect often. Grow intentionally.

Because success isn’t just what you achieve — it’s who you become while achieving it.

Trust the journey—victories await along the way!

Like what you’re reading or have any questions? Don’t be shy, write it up in the comments section for me to reply and more importantly, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for continuous insights and tips.

Together, let’s leverage the proven methods from Dean Holland’s Affiliate System to create a sustainable income stream.