Take these seven steps on The Path to growth and fulfillment.

By Tony Robbins

One of the most frequent questions I get asked as a coach by achievers I work with is, “Am I on the right path?”

It is a question I have received over many decades from societal leaders of all kinds, including four U.S. presidents, global business titans, celebrities, moms, and teachers.

It all starts with progress. Are you making it in your life, career, relationships, and finances? Are you growing? One of many truisms of life is that if you are not growing, you are stagnant or decaying. All achievers must grow to be fulfilled.

To grow, you must be willing to go on an endless journey to the unknown and yet unseen. You must be OK with opening yourself up to a level of uncertainty. Only by confronting fear of the unknown can you grow personally and professionally in ways that will let you achieve the extraordinary life leaders demand for themselves. 

How do you manage to continuously make progress in all areas of your life — your relationships, career, health, and finances?

The winding road to growth, fulfillment, and the extraordinary life you seek as an achiever demands massive and relentless action. But on that journey, if you’re going to make consistent progress in the long term, you must also be able to see The Path and the key steps you must follow to reach your personal promised land.

How I Coach Myself

I want to help get you started by sharing the seven key steps on The Path to growth and fulfillment that I use with those I coach — including myself.

Along the way, remind yourself that no matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress on the journey, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying. Success isn’t a place at which we arrive; it is an ongoing process, and we must embrace every stage of the journey — not just the peaks.

So what are we waiting for? Let’s get going!

Step 1: What Do You Really Want? 

Activate and awaken your hunger. 

When people ask me what sets people apart, my response isn’t what they think it will be. 

The most important ingredient when it comes to success in life is hunger — the desire to do more, be more, give more, share more, create more. The most successful people that I know in any area never lose this. If you can figure out what you desire most in life, you can begin to write the story of your life. 

Take a moment to think about what you desire most. And just as important as what you want is why you want it. Your why is what will act as your North Star when the road gets rough. And with identifying what you truly want, you’re on The Path. 

Step 2: Find and Face the Truth 

The truth will set you free! 

This is about getting clear and honest about where you are right now. Visualize where you want to be. Be honest: What’s the gap between where you are now and where you want to be? And what’s prevented you from closing it in the past? 

Once you identify the truths around where you are and what’s holding you back, you can go on to the next step. 

Step 3: Resolve and Create a MAP

Make a plan that will take you from where you are to where you want to be.

This is what I like to call creating a massive action plan (MAP). You know you’re on The Path when you have a great plan. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it will act as a guide. 

What actions need to be taken today for you to begin closing the gap? Identify them and write them out as your MAP. 

Step 4: You Have to Do What’s Hard 

This is where you slay your dragons. 

This is what most people won’t do, my friend. Successful people do what others won’t. 

This is where you make the change. This is where you get the skill. This is where you drop the old story. Drop the excuses. 

This is where the sword of truth slices through any obstacle between you and the life of your dreams.  

Step 5: Develop a Daily Practice 

You must condition the change — make it a habit.

This means coming back to the basics each day. It creates a sense of renewal. A daily rebirth. A reset. 

Write down what you’re grateful for. Reconnect to your heart. Write down what you desire. Reconnect to your why. 

Reinvigorate the inner world so you can crush your goals in the external world. 

Step 6: Raise Your Standards and Measure More Often 

Proximity is power. 

It’s human nature to let motivation subside and to let things eventually plateau — to become comfortable. Eventually, some of your musts start sliding into shoulds. 

That’s why it’s necessary to continually raise your standards. Evaluate where you are. Measure it. What’s working? What’s not? Then adjust. 

And don’t make the mistake of trying to do it all on your own. The greatest business and financial minds and champion athletes have mentors, someone who has walked The Path before. 

Get connected with the right kind of people (people you look up to, want to emulate, and admire). Surround yourself with humans who will hold you accountable for your goals and lift you up. Don’t have mentors in your life at the moment? Get a coach. (See the 2024 Real Leaders Top Executive Coaches list.) Accountability creates accelerated growth. 

Step 7: Life Is a Gift

Celebrate, appreciate, and give back.

This is my favorite step on The Path because it calls us back to what it’s really all about. 

Life is a gift, and it’s meant to be shared. 

Any goal, any greatness we achieve in life is really our opportunity to give back. To do something for others, to contribute to something larger than ourselves. To leave a mark on this world for the better. 

It’s our greatest honor to use our skills and passions to make the world a better place. 

Take a look at these seven steps again. Know that they are not linear in that you will complete one through seven and be done. This checklist is something to come back to throughout your week, month, year, and lifetime to help yourself along The Path to the life you demand for yourself.

Additional Resources

Join Tony Robbins at a live Unleash the Power Within event; the next scheduled one is Nov. 14-17 in the New York/New Jersey region. Learn more at tonyrobbins.com. Interested in getting connected with a Tony Robbins Results Coach? Visit tonyrobbins.com/coaching.

Tony Robbins is one of the world’s leading life and business strategists and is ranked No. 1 on the 2024 Real Leaders Top 50 Keynote Speakers list.