"In this article, the first in the 'Masterclass' series, Philip Atkinson outlines the 'difference that makes a difference' as he looks at modelling personal success."

We are often too busy just earning a living rather than shaping our lives, not having the time or the techniques to really plan things the way we want them to turn out. Yet planning for success is relatively easy. When people 'succeed' in any aspect of life they leave behind them clues as to what worked for them. I believe that if we can trace the techniques, processes and behaviours that others use to achieve the "success formula", we can emulate that same success. Discover what works for others and adapt it to self.

What I am interested in is modelling personal achievement. What specifically do people do that causes them to be successful? When we know this we can apply the same principles and we replicate the same success.

Yale University carried out an important research study in 1951, which found that of all the students graduating that year, only 3% had written goals for what they wanted to be and to achieve in their life. Twenty years later, the survivors were surveyed and a tangible measure applied to their lives. (There was little point examining "satisfaction" or "well-being" as these are too intangible and vague to define). Material wealth was the fundamental measure. It was found that the collective wealth of the 3% with written goals was more than that of the remaining 97%. Further research established that this was down purely to planning and goal setting graphically illustrating that "those who fail to plan, plan to fail"

Planning and target setting are critical in measuring improved performance in a variety of fields. The 'Success Cycle' is made up of four components.

• Focus - upon specific targets in all areas of life, Career, Relationships, Physical Health & Well-being, Material Possessions, Spiritual and Community - this tells us what is important and what we want to become.
• Action & Energy - . once we have focused on what is important, then we require to take Action and Energise ourselves towards our goals - noticing what behaviours take us towards rather than away from them.
• Results - achievement further adds to our Belief that we can do and be whatever we wish. Beliefs - self belief and positive self esteem project us forward - whether "we believe we can or we can not, we are right".