Try and try again!

The more I think about it, the more I come to realize that my success is due to only one factor - me. I have never been fortunate enough to have a lucky star smile on me. Everything I got, I got the hard way.

Some people tell you they don’t believe in luck. They say that life is predefined and everything you get is destiny. I refuse to accept that.

I refuse because I find it impossible to imagine that some people are chosen to have the “easy” live while others have to struggle. I do believe that some people are luckier than others.

My dad used to tell me: “Son, to be successful in life you'll need 3 things. 1. You'll need money. 2. You'll need know-how and 3. You'll need luck. And out of those 3 things you better hope and pray you got an abundance of luck. For money you can borrow and know-how you can get from asking questions but luck, you either have it or you don’t.”

Somehow I tend to think he's right. I should know. The knowledge of success that I now have took me over 30 years to acquire. 15 years thereof were nothing but struggle. Part of it I learned and part of it I was taught. Money I made and I lost because of my own carelessness. But luck, I got to say, I've never found a bag of luck laying around, just in case I needed it.

For if it would have I would have used it. And I don't think I would have struggled as hard and as long as I did. People call that “a lucky break”. I never got one.

That's why I am convinced that I am successful today because of my own doing. I didn't quit, I kept on going. No matter how hard or how tough, I picked up the pieces and kept on trying.

I'd like to think that Dr. Schuler has the right idea: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” That's what I did. That's what you need to do. Hold on. Don’t quit. Keep going, keep fighting. You'll be surprised how through your own efforts and strength and courage things can and will change for the better from one day to the next.

And should it really not work out after you gave it all you have to give. Then know that at least you can still walk proud because you tried. You really tried.

Believe me when I tell you that 99% of all the people in the world who complain that they are not successful are the same ones that simply don't try; at least not hard enough.

So if you wish to be successful then try and try and try again. Eventually you will be. The old adage holds a lot of truth: “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again!”

Best Wishes;

Lode