Five Success Keys
We could probably have an interesting discussion on the definition of success. The one I favor was authored by Earl Nightingale, more than fifty years ago: "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal."
I really like that definition because it takes money out of the equation unless it's your specific ideal. It says that the stay-at-home Mom is a success if she's staying home because she wants to. It says that a teacher, or a carpenter, or a Starbucks barista is a success if they are doing what they want to do instead of what they have to do.
Regardless of the field in which one is successful, there are criteria or keys for success that apply to every endeavor. Here are five of those Keys:
Essentials for Success and Achievement
1. Taking Personal Responsibility
Successful people don't play the blame game. They don't blame the government, the economy, their boss, their spouse, the traffic or anything else for the challenges they face or the obstacles the encounter. They take responsibility for their own behavior and figure out a way to deal with life's difficulties, which, by the way, are common to us all.
2. Seek Wisdom vs. Information
Napoleon Hill is famous for saying: "We become what we think about." You see he, and others before him, understood that our thoughts and our thinking will shape our behavior. The ideas you develop will one day manifest themselves in future behavior, so guard carefully what you think about and dwell on. Seek wisdom instead of information. Always be on the lookout for wise people and wisdom literature to help shape your thinking - and future actions.
3. Be a Person of Action
"The only measure of what you believe is what you do." Ashley Montagu coined those words over a century ago but the truth of that statement will stand forever. Success and achievement in any endeavor are the result of doing what needs to be done at the earliest possible opportunity. Do the most important things first!
4. Choose Joy Over Happiness
Happiness is often associated with circumstances. If I'm in a good place and things are going well, I'm happy. If things aren't going so well, I'm not.
Joy, on the other hand, starts with being at peace with ourselves. It's being comfortable in our own skin and understanding that, in most cases, "this too shall pass." The ups and downs of life are inevitable and experienced by everyone. Joy overrides unpleasant circumstances.
5. Stay Focused on Your Vision
Two essentials for success and achievement are vision and focus. Having a very clear vision of what we want to accomplish puts us in the top five percent of the marketplace and our competition. Staying focused on the vision and doing those things that move us to fulfilling our vision are what take us over the top.
Taking Stock
- Are you taking personal responsibility for your success and achievement?
- Do you have a friend or mentor you can trust to inject a little wisdom in your life from time to time?
- Are you a person of action? Are you doing the most important things first?
- Is your focus on joy or happiness?
- Is your eye on your vision or your circumstances?
After I read this, it really helped me have a clear vision of my goal. With a clear vision I can accomplish anything I choose. My my friends and mentor, Les Taylor wrote these "Five Success Keys".
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