Blog - Kevin Guest

How Do I Develop a Personal Success Plan?

December 12, 2022/0 Comments/in Blog/by Kevin Guest

I’m a big believer in the power of planning to succeed in personal and professional endeavors. December’s National Business Plan Month is the perfect time to develop a personal success plan for the upcoming year.

Having a personal success plan (or personal life plan) is key to achieving goals and dreams. Such a plan will help you stay focused and motivated so you can track progress and reward yourself at high points.

In my book, All the Right Reasons, I share how years ago a colossal failure motivated my business partner and me to write a plan that set the course for success for the rest of my career.

After presenting to executives at a major U.S. retailer, I was told — bluntly — that we had “completely wasted” their time. It spiraled me into an all-time low.

We were shot down in such an embarrassing manner and absolutely demoralized that we could have told ourselves we were failures, that we had no business being in video production. Instead, we decided to use our failure as a stepping stone to our success.

During a long layover in the Denver airport, the two of us wrote a business plan on the back of about 20 napkins.

That laid the groundwork for our highly successful video production company in the years ahead. We had been humiliated, but we didn’t let the experience break us.

We still laugh when we talk about that experience. Our belief in ourselves and our positive self-talk made all the difference.

The Importance of a Personal Success Plan

Personal success plans provide a roadmap to follow and help keep a person accountable. Tailoring the plan specifically toward one’s interest is key.

It takes five steps:

Define goals
Break goals into smaller, manageable steps
Take action
Accept and overcome obstacles
Measure progress

With the first two steps in place, it’s time to take action because the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll achieve your end goal. Starting early gives you the luxury of not being rushed, which brings the benefit of reflection and refinement.

Then, once you’ve taken action, it’s important not to let obstacles or setbacks deter you.

Being shamed out of the room by those executives motivated us to write a business plan in the airport with a firm determination to excel.

Last, but certainly not least, you have to track your progress and celebrate milestones. That keeps you motivated and on track. Measuring and applauding accomplishments boosted us forward to higher levels. Those celebrations kept us going.

Life’s a Journey

We spend our lives on a journey instead of at a final destination. This is why I define success by The Journey Principle: Success is about the experiences you have, the relationships you build, and the lessons you learn. A personal success plan will keep you on track for achieving greatness.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Dec. 1, 2022, in honor of National Business Plan Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

#USANA30: Messages That Resonate

November 28, 2022/0 Comments/in Blog/by Kevin Guest

Earlier this year, USANA celebrated its 30th anniversary (#USANA30) at an incredible global event. Thousands attended in person, and tens of thousands more watched online.

Since then, I’ve spent time reflecting on one notion — the idea that today is Day 1. Recent history presented an array of challenges for many. And as we emerge stronger and more resilient, I invite you to press a reset button and start something.

To do that, we must focus on our belief system. Belief in the industry, the company, the products and, most importantly, belief in yourself.

#USANA30: Quick Hits

For those following along with my social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), you’ve seen video snippets posted recently. I wanted to share a few of the clips here (and invite you to watch these and more on my YouTube channel).

Life Must Be Understood Backward, But Lived Forward

we’ve all gone through something unprecedented. And we’ve learned some things. How will we apply the things we’ve learned to live forward?

Bring a Positive Change

We need to put ourselves in the right mindset. Clear our minds, fill our hearts. It’s time to push out the bad and direct all our energy to that which is good.

The Great Accelerator

I like to refer to what happened over the past two years as The Great Accelerator. We were accelerated into technology in ways we never thought possible.

Living a Life in Harmony

Living a life in harmony, for me, is being true to my core values.

Make Two Connections a Day

Connecting with two people each day will help us reach our goals.

My Commitment: 2 Connections a Day

Reaching out to two people each day is powerful.

Be Firm in Your Destination, But Flexible in Your Path

We didn’t come this far to get this far.

Keep the Dream Alive

Each of you has a dream. Never let it die.

Start Something New

Let’s start something powerful.

Live in the Present & Future, Not in the Past

Take positive action in your life. Live life forward.

Showing Gratitude: 5 Ways to Say Thank You

November 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Blog/by Kevin Guest

Gratitude is so important. And this time of year, it’s top-of-mind for us in the United States as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It’s no coincidence that November is also National Gratitude Month.

Earlier this year, I began writing daily in a gratitude journal to express thanks for the many blessings in my life. It’s my commitment as part of USANA’s #StartSomething! campaign. The global campaign encourages each of us to start something that can create change in ourselves and inspire others. Here’s more on my commitment:

National Gratitude Month

In celebration of National Gratitude Month, I’d like to share five rare ways to say thank you. Expressing thanks demonstrates how much you appreciate others. Plus, saying thank you could also help to lower your stress.

We all have so much to be thankful for, and in this month of gratitude, we can especially show appreciation to those around us in thoughtful ways.

Here are some ideas to show gratitude that might even go above and beyond a simple thank you:

Making a phone call
Writing a handwritten note
Offering an in-person expression of gratitude
Stating gratitude of another to them in front of others
Saying thank you by taking a friend out to lunch or dinner

In my book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, I share many lessons of the power of gratitude with others.

One time, I traveled to a faraway country for business. It was close to Christmas, and I had already been traveling for three straight weeks. I didn’t want to go anywhere so close to Christmas. I didn’t want to fly halfway around the globe for what I expected to be a two-hour meeting.

Couldn’t I solve the problem from my office in a virtual meeting?

I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put technology away and do things in person. That was one of those times.

It would have been easy to talk myself out of that trip, but I paid attention to the distress signals and knew I must make the visit. My efforts to be there in person did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Benefits of Giving Thanks

I’ve written before about the impact an interaction with Beatles drummer Ringo Starr had on me. Ringo chooses to treat people with respect and warmth. He chooses to be the kind of person he wants to be.

As one’s level of thankfulness grows, I’ve seen three key benefits emerge: Levels of stress drop, energy levels increase, and people discover the life they truly want.

Research about gratitude indicates that those who have gratitude in their hearts are more likely to achieve their goals. As your gratefulness grows, your dream life is built. That’s the mark of living a life in harmony. It elevates you to allow your best self to come forward for you and for all those around you.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Nov. 1, 2022, in honor of National Gratitude Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

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