Success can be defined in a variety of ways such as grades, how much money somebody earns, the material possessions they have, or what they accomplish. However, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Success is dependent on effort”. Such a phrase will always be true since the most successful people who lived would be unsung individuals that faded away into history had they not tirelessly devoted their effort to what they pursued. Leonardo Da Vinci, a renowned painter and inventor, Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to ever fly solo over the Atlantic Ocean, Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, and Marie Curie, the only individual who won two Nobel Prizes in different sciences and conducted some of the most important research on radioactivity, would never have impacted their respective fields in such profound ways if they had not given their all. In order for anybody to achieve success with their endeavors whether it be in college or in life, here are five tips they ought to follow by in their everyday life.

1. Set SMART goals.

SMART goals are specific, measureable, achievable, reasonable, and time-bound. What this means is that people must come up with a defined goal such as “I want to lose 20 pounds” instead of “I want to feel better about my body”, a goal with some kind of numerical value that can be gauged in order to determine tangible change, a goal such as “I want to be able to run two miles in an average of thirty minutes by next month” instead of “I want to be able to scale Mount Everest by tomorrow”, a goal the individual wants to and can accomplish, and a goal that is based on a strict timeframe instead of a desire to simply accomplish it someday.

2.Work towards the goal constantly.

People do not get stronger, lose weight, get better grades, or become more skillful at engaging in a certain activity when they only put in effort once a week for only five or ten minutes. They build strength, become healthier, improve their performance on tests or assignments, or increase the talent they have through practice. After all, faith without action is dead.

3.Avoid making excuses.

When people find justifications for why they do not follow through, they place more obstacles in the way of their progress and make it easier to accomplish little to nothing. Therefore, people must be honest with themselves and acknowledge what they are doing wrong, have faith in their ability to reach their goals, and turn their faith into motivation.

4.Refrain from using the same methods again and again.

Albert Einstein once said that “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It is fine to use the same methods repeatedly if they consistently produce desirable results. Conversely, if those methods are not always or are never yielding the desired outcomes, it is foolish to continue to use those methods since they are clearly flawed. Thus, it is crucial to have a plan B for a plan A in the event that plan A fails to lead to positive results.

5.Accept constructive criticism and use it to make improvements.

People are never perfect so any opportunities for betterment are necessary if one wishes to attain success. If one always believes they are correct and that they are flawless, they will hurt themselves by pushing away the ones that could have helped them become a better person and a more successful person. Besides, nobody knows everything so it is beneficial to take advice from people who likely made some of the same mistakes so progress can be made. That way, the road to success will not be so rough.

Ultimately, it is up to those who want success to do what it takes so they become successful as a result. Only they have the ability to determine whether or not they make their dreams reality. Therefore, it is crucial to have SMART goals, always work towards goals, never make excuses, avoid constantly using methods that are not effective, and take constructive criticism so it can lead to development and progressing towards the desired goals. There is no other way to attain and sustain success.