Think of a goal you have … but you’re no way close to achieving. Chances are, reaching success in that goal feels a little / a lot daunting.

I can relate.

My new novel might now be out now but in a way, the real work has only just begun. I feel so passionately about the issues in Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow – the refugee crisis, racism, mental health and how to triumph over adversity – that I’m determined to do everything I can to ensure its success. And by success I mean getting the book into the hands of people who might benefit from the story and helping provide a platform for people and organisations working in these areas.

But this can feel hugely overwhelming.

The book that I return to time and time again in situations like these is Jack Canfield’s How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.

In the book, Canfield shares his 25 principles for success. My favourite is Principle 20: Practise the Rule of 5. This is what Canfield did when he published his first Chicken Soup for the Soul book, which ultimately went on to sell millions.

The principle is so simple, and based on a piece of advice Canfield was given by Ron Scolastico, who told him: ‘If you would go every day to a very large tree and take five swings at it with a very sharp axe, eventually, no matter how large the tree, it would have to come down.’

The Rule of 5 simply involves doing 5 things every day to move your goal closer to completion.

Of course, not every thing you do will lead to success but success is a numbers game. The more things you do towards achieving your goal, the more you increase your chances of reaching it.

The first time I practised the Rule of 5, I can remember writing a list of things to do on an A4 page. There were about 30 ideas on that page and many of them came to nothing. But several of them paid off hugely –  like landing a weekly newspaper column, which I ended up writing for two years.

Another great thing about the Rule of 5 is that it isn’t too daunting to do on a daily basis but soon builds momentum. Even if you only do one or two things a day towards achieving your goal, over time, that will really add up.

Today I sent copies of Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow to 3 reviewers, I contacted a refugee charity to see if I could use the book to raise awareness for the work they’re doing and I wrote a press release.

What 5 things could you do today to help move your goal closer to completion…?

 

Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow is out now.

‘It leaves you inspired to help make the world a better place. A must read for everyone.’

‘It will break your heart, then put it back together again, stronger and full of love.’

Find out more here.