What I Learned in 2011: Create a “Keys to Success” List

Creating a “Keys to Success” list is something that I did for the first time back in January of 2011. At that time I was about to start school at Fresno Pacific University to earn my degree in Christian Ministry and Leadership (which I am still working on).

Since I work full-time and have a girlfriend I knew I needed to create some type of list that would help me get done what I need to get done and not focus on the things that don’t matter. I needed something that would help me complete school successfully and not lose my family or integrity in the process. In response to that need I created a list of “Keys to Success at FPU for 18 Months.”

That list consists of 10 things I knew I would need to do to be successful at school. Things such as:

1. Get ahead and stay ahead
2. Don’t take school too serious
3. Don’t procrastinate
4. Say “no” to requests of my time to play video games and spend time with friends who don’t enrich me
5. Say “yes” to requests of my time from my girlfriend, sister, mom, dad, and two mentors
6. Flip through my school books as soon as I get them to become familiar with the content
7. Say “no” to requests for donations and volunteer time (exceptions are for A Day of Hope or if Jen wants to enjoy time together volunteering)
8. Post everything I write in school on my blog
9. Make time to study everyday
10. Direct my Bible study time, quiet time, and time with Jen to help me with what we are learning in class

I have been at school at Fresno Pacific University for a year and this Keys to Success list has been very helpful to me. It has helped me to stay on track, stay focused, and most important of all it has given me permission to say “no” to things that are hard to say "no" too.

I am not sure if I will create a “Keys to Success” list for other areas of my life, but I know it has helped me over this past year. I encourage you to look at an area of your life where you might be struggling or need improvement and create a “Keys to Success” list. Identify a few things, five things, or ten things you can do that you know will make you successful in that chosen area. Then, work that list. Review it, memorize it, and allow that list to guide you and your time.

Question: Do you have a list that helps you become successful?