I had an interesting question from a young salesperson the other day. He asked me how he would know he was doing the right things. The things he needs to do in order to be a successful salesperson.

My almost automatic response was that a mentor would be a huge help to him. A mentor could not only explain to him when he was on the right path but maybe even more importantly, when he wasn’t. I explained that a mentor would likely see things that he couldn’t see for himself.

His response caught me a little off guard. He said a mentor would be good but that HE wanted to be able to know for himself. He asked, “What are the ‘signs’ of success? How could he know at all times whether or not he was on the path to success?”

That really got me to thinking. I wondered if there were indeed definitive signs to look for on the journey to success. After a great deal of thinking, here are some of the signs or guideposts to look for. When you “see” these, you’ll know you’re heading in the right direction.

1. You Have Clear Goals and Progress

• Set objectives: You have defined short-term and long-term goals.

• Consistent progress: You’re steadily working toward those goals and can see measurable improvement.

• Small wins: Achieving milestones, even if they’re small, boosts your confidence and motivation.

2. You’re Learning from Your Failures

• Resilience: You view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than reasons to quit.

• Growth mindset: You learn from experiences, feedback, and challenges. You adapt and improve over time.

3. You’re Noticing Increased Focus and Productivity

• Efficiency: You’re able to focus on what truly matters, cutting out distractions.

• Better time management: You prioritize tasks that move you closer to your goals and eliminate time-wasting activities.

4. You Feel a Genuine Sense of Purpose

• Aligned with values: Your work or efforts align with your personal values and passions.

• Fulfillment: You’re excited and energized by what you’re doing, which gives you a deeper sense of meaning in your journey.

5. Your Skills and Knowledge are Continuously Improving

• Continuous growth: You’re constantly developing new skills or deepening your knowledge in areas that contribute to your success.

• Competency: You’re becoming increasingly proficient in your field or area of interest.

6. You have Positive Relationships and Growing Network

• Support system: You have a network of mentors, peers, or colleagues who support and encourage you.

• Value exchange: You contribute to others’ success, and in return, people are eager to help you as well.

7. Your Confidence and Self-Belief are Consistently Multiplying

• Inner confidence: You trust in your abilities and decisions, even in the face of uncertainty.

• Self-awareness: You understand your strengths and weaknesses, and you’re comfortable with both.

8. Your Financial Stability is Increasing

• Income growth: You’re either seeing financial returns or are on the way to achieving them.

• Sustainable progress: You’re able to invest in yourself or your business without feeling financially stretched.

9. You’re Receiving Positive Recognition from Others

• Respect and acknowledgment: Others recognize and respect your work or contributions, whether through feedback, awards, promotions, or opportunities.

10. You Willingly Accept and Adapt to Change

• Flexibility: You’re open to new opportunities, shifts in direction, and adjustments to your plan. You don’t feel derailed by them.

• Problem-solving ability: You can navigate unforeseen challenges with creative solutions.

11. You Have a Solid Work-Life Balance and Strong Mental Health

• Health and happiness: You’re maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life.

• Less stress: While challenges may arise, you handle stress better and remain mentally and emotionally stable.

12. You’re Excited About the Future

• Vision: You have a clear and inspiring vision of what success looks like, and it excites you.

• Optimism: You’re motivated and feel positive about your future, despite the challenges ahead.

If you’re noticing some, or hopefully many of these signs, it’s likely you’re on a path toward success. If not, you at least know what to look for and you know that you have some work to do. I’d suggest that work begin with a review of your core principles. From there you can set goals for your career, your personal life, your financial life, and whatever other areas of your life that you want to focus on.

Those goals will become your guideposts to success.

Ultimately, your success, and the path you choose to get there, are completely up to you. But you must choose a path. Wandering around waiting for success to find you is like hoping to win the lottery without buying a ticket.

So get to work and get yourself on the path to phenomenal success.