She sought out mentors, read books on leadership, and crafted a visionary roadmap for her future. Adenike set clear goals, developed new skills, and built strategic relationships. Within three years, she was not only promoted but also became a sought-after speaker on leadership and transformation.

Her journey highlights an essential truth: vision without strategy is just a dream. But with a structured roadmap for change, anyone can turn setbacks into opportunities.

Let us explore 10 powerful strategies that I used to help Adenike build her roadmap for success. You can adopt this whether in your career, business, or personal growth journey.

1. Define a Clear Vision
A vision provides direction and motivation. A strong vision is the foundation of any successful transformation. It provides clarity, motivation, and a sense of direction. Without a clear vision, people drift aimlessly, reacting to life rather than shaping it.
Without a well-defined vision, individuals and businesses often find themselves reacting to circumstances rather than shaping their future. Your vision should be bold yet achievable, painting a clear picture of where you want to be in the next one, three, or five years.
I coached Adenike to write a personal or business vision statement. She was as specific as possible—avoiding vague aspirations like “I want to be successful.” Instead, I worked with her to aim for something more concrete like “In five years, I will lead a thriving business that delights customers and empowers employees.” You too can create a vision board using images, quotes, and symbols that represent your future aspirations. Additionally, journal about your ideal future—describe what a successful day in your life would look like.

2. Assess the Current Landscape
Before you can move forward, you need a clear understanding of where you stand. This includes recognizing your strengths, identifying areas that need improvement, and understanding potential obstacles. Without this self-awareness, even the most ambitious vision can remain out of reach.
I worked with Adenike by conducting her SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). We identified what is currently working in her favor and what needs to change. You too can seek honest feedback from mentors, colleagues, or friends to gain an outside perspective on your blind spots. Additionally, take stock of your resources—do you have the skills, network, or financial support necessary to pursue your vision? If not, determine how to acquire them.

3. Set SMART Goals
A vision without specific goals is just wishful thinking. A vision without actionable steps leads to frustration.
To make your vision actionable and gain clarity, you need SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These goals break down your big dream into manageable steps, making it easier to track progress and stay motivated.
We broke down Adenike’s vision into short-term (3–6 months), mid-term (1–2 years), and long-term (3–5 years) goals. We used the 80/20 Rule to focus on the tasks that will yield the greatest impact. For example, she wanted to become a recognized leader in her industry, so her SMART goals included “publish one industry article per month,”. Yours may be “attend three networking events per quarter.” Break these down further into weekly and monthly targets for consistent progress.

4. Build a Resilient Mindset
Change is uncomfortable but resilience helps you push through.
Change often brings discomfort and uncertainty. Without resilience, many people give up before reaching their full potential. Resilience allows you to push through setbacks and self-doubt. It helps you stay focused, and keep going even when faced with setbacks. It is not just about persistence but also about adapting to challenges and maintaining a positive outlook.
To build resilience, Adenike developed a growth mindset— we worked with her to shift her thinking from “I can’t do this” to “I’m learning how to do this.” We leveraged CHAMP daily affirmations that reinforce her ability to succeed, such as “I am capable of overcoming any challenge.” Emotional intelligence also plays a key role in resilience; she practiced stress management techniques like mindful meditation, deep breathing, or journaling to stay emotionally strong during difficult times.

5. Engage Stakeholders and Build a Support System
Success is rarely a solo journey. No great transformation happens in isolation.
Whether you’re changing careers, starting a business, or taking on a leadership role, having the right people around you accelerates progress. Your network should include mentors, colleagues, and like-minded individuals who inspire, challenge, and support you.
We worked with Adenike to identify five key people who could help her move forward. These included mentors who offer guidance, peers who held her accountable, and industry leaders who inspire her.

She was coached to communicate her vision clearly so people understood her goals and how they can support her. You can join a mastermind group or professional network where you can share insights, collaborate, and learn from others.

Visit www.tppafrica.com for the full article

About Dr. Abiola Salami
Dr. Abiola Salami is the Convener of Dr Abiola Salami International Leadership Bootcamp ; The Peak PerformerTM Festival Made4More Accelerator Program and The New Year Kickoff Summit. He is the Principal Performance Strategist at CHAMP – a full scale professional services firm trusted by high performing business leaders for providing Executive Coaching, Workforce Development & Advisory Services to improve performance. You can reach his team on [email protected] and connect with him @abiolachamp on all social media platforms.

Project Manager, Tourba, Bouchra Ettakaouy(left): Managing Director Kano State; Managing Director, Kano Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), Dr Farouk Kurawa; Head of Operations Tourba, Boris Naguet; Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Kano State, Dr Dahiru Muhammad Hashim; Country Manager Tourba, Opeoluwa Filani and Permanent Secretary, Agriculture, Kano state, Mr. Bashir Sanusi at Tourba Stakeholders consultation in Kano yesterday