You start any new project with a blank slate.

You may have an idea of what you want to do, but rarely do you start with a fully fleshed plan.

The good news is that everyone starts at this very same spot.

We’ve all been there.

Are you looking for motivation to start working out again, inspiration to write the book you’ve been talking about for years, a little of both to start a business with no money in the bank? No matter what it is, you may have started looking for a way to ignite that passion or just get off your tush!

Forget about motivation and inspiration to help you find the right path, the right plan….Behave your way to the outcome you want.

Marie Forleo’s opening presentation at RHH Live was about behaving your way to results in business, but you can apply this concept to any area of your life.

Here are 4 simple questions that can shift how you are behaving today to start seeing results or at least a plan materialize. Behave like a successful person and become one.

1. What’s coming out of your mouth?

Reasons or Results? We all make a ton of b.s. excuses.  Reasons why we can’t be productive, get the job we want, have a better relationship, enjoy our work. None of them mean a thing…and aren’t getting you any closer to the result you want.

Think about it: how often do you give a reason why you haven’t done x? You might say, “but I can’t help that x, y, and z happened”. Skip the butts… and just say – ok it’s not happening.

I used to give reasons A LOT.  I remember telling these long drawn out accounts of why a situation ended up a certain way.  I couldn’t stop myself.  Everything changed when I just shut my mouth and took responsibility for my actions.

Try it.  Err on the side of shutting it. No more excuses.

Image credit: mdanys

2. Do you know what you want?

If you don’t get clear on your vision and the exact outcome you are reaching for…how are you going to know when you reach it? Simple concept, right? And I’m sure you’ve heard it before…but now it’s time to do something about.

Here’s the simple step you can do write now: Write a 2-3 sentence statement saying what you want.  I want to lose 10 lbs. by the time I go to my reunion. I want to start a blog about my small pony collection.  I want to have a better relationship with my husband. I want to get a promotion at work by the end of September.

3. What’s on your list?

Do you have a list of all those important activities that you need to do every single day to get you closer to your goal? I’m not talking about a random to-do list. I’m talking your high value activities.

If you haven’t done my ABC exercise and dropped those C’s, then do it now to help you clarify what you want. Take it a step further and mark the most critical items with a $ – for the ones that will produce the most results for you, your business, or your relationship.

4. Are you sharing what you know?

Do you pass on what you learn to others? Do you take the time to teach other people startin gon the same journey as you everything that helped you get where you are?  Did you know that you can actually catapult your own success by helping others.  I mean, genuinely reaching out and being of service.

Take a moment now and write down everything you might be able to share with others.  How can you take your knowledge and reach out to others? How about finding a group with people working toward the same goal as you? Support people who are not quite as far along as you and reap the rewards of finally owning your value in the world.

This is just the beginning though. These questions will get you started…but it’s how you apply them and behave every single day – consistently – that will make the difference.

Before you go, leave me a comment below telling me your biggest a-ha after asking yourself these questions!

image credit: matty_gibbon