What is success?
A lot of research has gone into the subject of success and failure. When you study about the life histories of successful people, we see that they have some certain qualities in common which makes them successful in their life no matter in which period of history they lived in. If we adopt those qualities in our life, definitely we shall be successful. Success is no mystery, but simply the result of consistently applying some basic principles.
Success can be defined in many different ways. To some people, success might mean wealth. To others, it is good health, good family, happiness and peace of mind. Success is actually a creative pursuit and a reflection of healthy self-esteem. The best definition of success is given by Earl Nightingale he said- “success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.”
‘Progressive’ means that success is a journey not a destination. We never arrive. After we reach one goal, we go on to the next and the next. ”Realization” means it is an experience. No outside forces make me feel successful. I have to feel it within myself. “Worthy refers to our value system in which way we are heading “Positive or Negative”. Worthiness determines the quality of our journey which gives us fulfilment. Success without fulfilment is empty.
Existence alone is not success! It is a lot more!
Do more than exist – live
Do more than touch -- feel
Do more than look -- observe
Do more than read -- absorb
Do more than hear -- listen
Do more than listen -- understand
Some Obstacles To Success (Real or Imagined)
Hurdles in success
Ego, Fear , No plan, Lack of formalized goals, Family responsibility, Procrastination, Life changes, Lack of focus, being muddled, Giving up vision for promise of money, Doing too much alone, Over-commitment, Lack of training, Lack of persistence,Lack of Priorities
Factors responsible for success
A burning desire
The motivation to succeed comes from the burning desire to achieve a goal or objective. Napoleon Hill said- “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. There is a beautiful story – Once a young man asked Socrates the secret to success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates told the young man to walk with him toward the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the river. The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled his head out of the water and first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air. Socrates asked, ‘What did you want the most when you were there? The boy replied, “Air”. Socrates said, “That is the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it.” There is no other way to get success.
A burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishment. Just like a small fire cannot give much heat, a weak desire cannot produce great results.
Commitment
Success is the result of our thoughts and decisions. Our integrity and wisdom help us to build and keep commitments. It is our decision that will dominate our lives.
The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavour.
Vince Lombardi
There is a difference between conviction and preferences. Preferences are negotiable; convictions are not. Preferences give way under pressure; convictions become stronger. Therefore it is important to have a good value system so that our convictions are worthy because convictions in turn lead to commitment.
Responsibility
Accepting responsibility is one of the great characteristics of successful people. It involves taking risks and being accountable which is sometimes uncomfortable. Some people want to stay in their comfort zone and lives passive lives because they don’t take risks and waiting for things to happen rather than making them happen. Responsible people don’t think that the world owes them a living. Responsible people accept their mistake and learn from them. Some people never learn. We can do three things about mistakes
· Ignore them
· Deny them
· Accept and learn from them
The last alternative takes responsibility; it is risky but at last we will get reward.
Hard work
We cannot get success without hard work. Success takes a lot of efforts and preparation. There is no substitute for hard work. Kammons Wilson, CEO of Holiday Inn says-“ I like to work half a day. I don’t care if it is the first 12 hours or the second 12 hours.
Success is the result of believing in sacrifice and self-discipline. One cannot develop a capacity to do anything without hard work, just as a person cannot learn how to spell by sitting on a dictionary. Professionals make things look easy because they have mastered the fundamentals of whatever they do.
Positive believing
Thinking refers to the act of producing thoughts. Thoughts can either be positive or negative. Positive thoughts leads us towards problem-solving behaviour and negative thoughts find expression in excuses for failure and avoiding problem-solving behaviour. Positive thinking is better than negative thinking and it will help us use our abilities to the fullest. Positive believing is a lot more than positive thinking. It is having a reason to believe that positive thinking will work. Positive believeing is an attitude of confidence that comes with preparation. Having a positive attitude without making the effort is nothing more than having a wishful dream.
The power of persistence
Persistence means commitment and determination. It involves our ability to take decision. Persistence is a decision. It is our commitment to ourselves to finish what we have started. When we are exhausted, quitting looks good. But winners endure. Ask a winning athlete. He endures pain and finishes what he started. Persistence comes from purpose. Life without purpose is drifting. A person who has no purpose in life will never persevere and will never be fulfilled.
Give more than you get paid for
You make yourself more valuable, regardless of what you do and where you work.
It gives you more confidence.
People start trusting you and looking at you as a leader.
Superiors start trusting you.
It breed loyalty from both your subordinates and your superiors.
It generates cooperation.
We should always think in terms of giving
Always think in terms of giving value added whether to customers, friends, your spouse, parents or children. Whenever you do anything, ask yourself, “How can I add value to what I am doing?” or “How can I add value to others?”
Winners do what they are supposed to and then some more. Winners do their duty and then some more. Winners put in 100% and then some more.