When asked about her extraordinary success, recording artist and motivational performer Jana Stanfield said, “I believe in the power of small steps to create great changes.”
Jana left a lucrative career as a broadcast journalist and moved to Nashville to pursue her dream of securing a recording contract. While waiting for her breakthrough, she signed up for voice lessons and took classes in song-writing, stand-up comedy and dance. She took advantage of Open-Mic nights and sang for free in the evenings. With the help of a small producer, she made a few recordings.
None of the record companies were interested.
As her funds depleted, Jana started to doubt her talent and decision to switch careers. She even had what she calls a “lying on the bed, crying phase.”
Her uncle, Rev. Clyde Stanfield, stepped in and guided her through the Three Steps, No Failure technique. He met with her with over weekly lunches and monitored her progress.
With renewed determination, Jana started writing and recording again. She achieved her first milestone with the release of her first record, consisting of her ten most-rejected songs.
A major breakthrough came when Reba McEntire asked to record her song, If I Had Only Known. It sold 5 million copies.
what is the Three Steps, No Failure technique?
Very simply, it is a no-fail method that can be adopted by anyone who wishes to achieve a major goal such as securing a recording contract or writing a best-selling novel.
Start by acknowledging that these goals are challenging and cannot be achieved with one quantum leap. For example, a novice writer cannot expect to see her book appear on the New York Times Bestseller list within the next six months.
Decide on the first three steps that you must take. These could be as simple as purchasing supplies, joining a writing group, finding a critique partner, or registering for a workshop. There is only one guideline: each step has to be something you can’t possibly fail to complete in a week’s time.
Do not plan out the entire journey. Like crossing a bridge, it is not necessary to see the other side. Instead, select three different steps at the beginning of each week and focus on your progress.
Be patient. This process will not take you directly to your goal, but it will get you there indirectly. In the meantime, enjoy the journey.
What three steps could you take this week?
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Word by Word 
What a great post, Joanne. I LOVE this. I get so overwhelmed when writing a new book and this helps me focus on the small steps I have to take in order to get to the big picture. Thank you!
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Good to see you here, Sharon. Good luck with your book. 🙂
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Hey, Joanne. I agree with Sharon. I’m really struggling to get my butt in the chair and write this next book. There are so many other things I can be doing–like checking on FB and checking out our blog. LOL So this came at a good time for me. I’ll share.
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Hi Marsha, I’m so easily distracted and could spend the entire morning on social media. I’m also applying the Three Steps to my life. 🙂
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Thank you Joanne! On the weekend, I updated my calendar with all the dates I have with my editor for three new books before the first of December, and when Monday morning arrived, I felt so overwhelmed I wrote nothing!
I shall now employ your three-step method and get back on track. 🙂
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Wow…Three new books before December! Wonderful and daunting at the same time. Best of luck 🙂
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Reblogged this on Mystery and Romance and commented:
Feeling overwhelmed?
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Thanks for reblogging, Kathryn 🙂
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Very interesting process. I think I can adapt this to help me with my WIP. Great post.
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Hi Angelina, Good luck with your WIP! 🙂
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Lordy, I know what I need to do and should do and writing the next book is the biggest thing on my list. But if I break it down to so many pages a day, I’m better off. I get too antsy. Lately, I’ve had a lot of distractions. I did set a goal for myself once these issues simmered down, I’d put my hands on the keyboard and work. Yesterday, I did. So time to move forward.
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Hi Vicki, Life has a way of upsetting our best-laid plans. Good to hear that things are simmering down. Good luck with your book. 🙂
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Inspiring post, Joanne, thank you! I try to write every day so that it becomes a habit, but it’s so easy to get distracted by life, TV, and social media! It’s a rat race out there, people!
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You’re very welcome, Jacquie. BTW…Thanks for all your social media support. I do appreciate it. 🙂
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Happy to do so 🙂
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It’s more than a process, it’s a strong attitude to have with whatever a person sets out to accomplish. Well said, Joanne.
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So true! Thanks for dropping by, Brenda 🙂
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Love this, Joanne! A way to accomplish things incrementally is totally doable! 😃
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Reblogged this on Jeannie Hall Suspense and commented:
Three Steps, No Failure
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Thanks for reblogging, Jeannie. Appreciate your ongoing support. 🙂
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I think I’m going to use the three steps method for getting in gear on my current WIP. It’s been one hurdle after another but this post is just what I needed to put much in perspective!
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I have found taking a small number of baby steps helpful. Good luck, Mae!
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Thank you! 🙂
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This wonderful post came at the best time, Joanne! Thanks for sharing!
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Good to know! Best of luck, Steph 🙂
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Excellent Post ad sooo helpful!
Thank you.
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You’re very welcome, Nancy 🙂
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Joanne this is a great post it will help me to finish my major goal which has been lost in the what to do next category thank you.
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You’re very welcome, Kath. Good luck!
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