Thursday, September 28, 2006
Success = Motivation, Inspiration, Determination
We are all striving for success one way or another. To help you with this quest I have posted several articles that deal specifically with each factor of success.
These articles were written by experts in their field. I am sure you will gain tremendous insight from reading them.
The links to these articles are posted on the right hand side of this page, just below the Success Alert sign up box.
As always, best wishes for tremendous success.
These articles were written by experts in their field. I am sure you will gain tremendous insight from reading them.
The links to these articles are posted on the right hand side of this page, just below the Success Alert sign up box.
As always, best wishes for tremendous success.
Friday, September 15, 2006
What I learned about Success as a teenager!
Growing up in a small town, I never really got into any serious trouble. As with any small town, there wasn’t much to do. Hanging around with friends, roaming through wide open fields and scaring off the farmer’s cows was about all the excitement I got.
One of my friends I hung out with was a neighbor’s boy who was mentally challenged. I really never took notice of it and neither did my other friends. He was part of our group and somehow we just automatically looked out for him.
One day, now in our mid teens, we sat around a campfire in the open field. Typical teenage boys we told jokes and teased each other. Out of nowhere, the conversation turned serious.
“I would love to go to America!” I suddenly stuttered.
“Why don’t you?” came back the answer.
Looking up who said that I saw my disadvantaged friend across the fire with a big smile on his face. “Why don’t you?” he repeated.
“It’s not so easy!” I said.
“Why not? If you want to go to America or anywhere, you just get up and go. I think that’s easy!” he smiled back at me.
The other kids nodded their heads. “He’s right!” said one. “I agree!” said another.
“No, you guys don’t get it.” I answered. “It really is not that easy to just pack up and go. I need money, I don’t speak English, I need a job, I need lots of things. I can’t just pack my bags and go. Besides, my parents won’t let me!”
“I think you don’t really want to go. I think you’re just talking. When I really want something I close my eyes and then I think about what I want very hard till my head hurts and then I get it. I don’t think about what I don’t have, I think about what I am going to get. That’s why I think you’re just talking.” my friend said while throwing sticks in the fire.
That was 30 years ago. As it turned out, all the obstacles I mentioned, the excuses I used for not being able to leave home were of no importance. Somehow, once I decided to go, things kind of worked themselves out. Thanks to the astute observation my “not so smart” friend made I got to come to America. He wasn’t only right, his simple thinking made him smarter than all of us.
I learned since that what my friend told me 30 years ago by the side of that campfire is the number 1 reason most people fail in their attempt to achieve success:
One of my friends I hung out with was a neighbor’s boy who was mentally challenged. I really never took notice of it and neither did my other friends. He was part of our group and somehow we just automatically looked out for him.
One day, now in our mid teens, we sat around a campfire in the open field. Typical teenage boys we told jokes and teased each other. Out of nowhere, the conversation turned serious.
“I would love to go to America!” I suddenly stuttered.
“Why don’t you?” came back the answer.
Looking up who said that I saw my disadvantaged friend across the fire with a big smile on his face. “Why don’t you?” he repeated.
“It’s not so easy!” I said.
“Why not? If you want to go to America or anywhere, you just get up and go. I think that’s easy!” he smiled back at me.
The other kids nodded their heads. “He’s right!” said one. “I agree!” said another.
“No, you guys don’t get it.” I answered. “It really is not that easy to just pack up and go. I need money, I don’t speak English, I need a job, I need lots of things. I can’t just pack my bags and go. Besides, my parents won’t let me!”
“I think you don’t really want to go. I think you’re just talking. When I really want something I close my eyes and then I think about what I want very hard till my head hurts and then I get it. I don’t think about what I don’t have, I think about what I am going to get. That’s why I think you’re just talking.” my friend said while throwing sticks in the fire.
That was 30 years ago. As it turned out, all the obstacles I mentioned, the excuses I used for not being able to leave home were of no importance. Somehow, once I decided to go, things kind of worked themselves out. Thanks to the astute observation my “not so smart” friend made I got to come to America. He wasn’t only right, his simple thinking made him smarter than all of us.
I learned since that what my friend told me 30 years ago by the side of that campfire is the number 1 reason most people fail in their attempt to achieve success:
“They Talk Themselves Out Of It!”
My friend, with his limited mental capacity to grasp things, was far more successful than people 20 times smarter and brighter than him. My friend didn’t over analyze. He didn’t set boundaries. He didn’t offer excuses. In his mind getting something you really want is simple:
“You Just Get It!”
Whatever it is that you consider for yourself to be successful; You and only You have the power to either get it or to let it be. Don’t over analyze, don’t talk yourself into that you can’t and don’t offer a mountain of excuses why you won’t. Be more like my friend: “When you really want something you just get it!”
To Your Success;
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Success; it's a journey!
“Success; it’s a journey not a destination!”
These were the powerful words coming from the mouth of a 16 year old; an unknown teenager being interviewed for a documentary about life. Her complete statement was:
“Success; it’s a journey not a destination! And the journey is far more important than the destination!”
If ever anyone knew exactly how to sum up success is this teenager. For over 20 years I searched for my success. Never, did I look at it this way. Never, did I conceive the notion that success is a journey. That it’s a road, a path one must follow. And just like that road which is winding, uphill, downhill and has potholes here and there, so flows success.
More importantly, the character one develops while walking that road to success is ultimately far more important than the level of success one achieves. All too often you hear or read about people who reached an enormous amount of success but lost their soul in the process.
Tiger woods, arguably the greatest golf player around and who by most people standards would be considered to be super successful revealed that what seems to be a life of envy to the outside world is actually not as fulfilling as one would think.
The last tournament he played and won, he had this to say with tears in his eyes: “I am delighted to win but how I wish I could share this victory with my dad. How I would like it for him to be here. I wanted so much to give this to him!”
For Tiger Woods, his dad’s passing had definitely given new meaning to what he considers to be complete success. The void of sharing with a loved one leaves him with an empty and lonely feeling. And so his road to success which once appeared to be completed now begins again – Tiger Woods is now seeking emotional success.
Indeed, it’s the journey of success that is far more important than success itself. We have all heard or read about people that are extremely successful, yet would give it all up in an instant if only they could get true love, or companionship or not being lonely. The list is endless.
Too many people spend their time and energy trying to create financial success. In the process they loose sight of other factors equally as important to the contribution of complete success. That’s why a lot of financially successful people don’t consider themselves as being successful because they lack emotional and quite often spiritual success.
Being able to acquire a perfect balance of financial, emotional, physical and spiritual success is creating true success. And more often than not, people who are truly successful in life will tell you that financial success is the least important.
These were the powerful words coming from the mouth of a 16 year old; an unknown teenager being interviewed for a documentary about life. Her complete statement was:
“Success; it’s a journey not a destination! And the journey is far more important than the destination!”
If ever anyone knew exactly how to sum up success is this teenager. For over 20 years I searched for my success. Never, did I look at it this way. Never, did I conceive the notion that success is a journey. That it’s a road, a path one must follow. And just like that road which is winding, uphill, downhill and has potholes here and there, so flows success.
More importantly, the character one develops while walking that road to success is ultimately far more important than the level of success one achieves. All too often you hear or read about people who reached an enormous amount of success but lost their soul in the process.
Tiger woods, arguably the greatest golf player around and who by most people standards would be considered to be super successful revealed that what seems to be a life of envy to the outside world is actually not as fulfilling as one would think.
The last tournament he played and won, he had this to say with tears in his eyes: “I am delighted to win but how I wish I could share this victory with my dad. How I would like it for him to be here. I wanted so much to give this to him!”
For Tiger Woods, his dad’s passing had definitely given new meaning to what he considers to be complete success. The void of sharing with a loved one leaves him with an empty and lonely feeling. And so his road to success which once appeared to be completed now begins again – Tiger Woods is now seeking emotional success.
Indeed, it’s the journey of success that is far more important than success itself. We have all heard or read about people that are extremely successful, yet would give it all up in an instant if only they could get true love, or companionship or not being lonely. The list is endless.
Too many people spend their time and energy trying to create financial success. In the process they loose sight of other factors equally as important to the contribution of complete success. That’s why a lot of financially successful people don’t consider themselves as being successful because they lack emotional and quite often spiritual success.
Being able to acquire a perfect balance of financial, emotional, physical and spiritual success is creating true success. And more often than not, people who are truly successful in life will tell you that financial success is the least important.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Answers to your questions.
Quite a few emails have been sent to me asking specific questions about success. I’ve decided to publish some of them here. That way, all my readers get to benefit from them.
Marcy from Chicago says:
“Lode, I enjoy your blog, it’s helping me a lot. I just want to know how do you define success?”
Marcy, good question. First of all you’ll have to realize that success is different for everyone. What I consider success may not be for you. And what you think of as being success may not be so for your neighbor. Therefore, defining success on general terms is really not possible. However, defining success on personal terms is. My best suggestion is that you write down everything you aim for (want) in your life. And I mean everything: money, love, car, house, job, kids, husband, jewelry, education, etc.. Once you have that general list, narrow it down to the things you really would like to have in your life. Do not think about the items on the list, rather, go with your heart. When you have that narrow list, look at it and ask yourself this: “Of all the things listed on this list, how many of them do I already have?” Check off, all the ones you’ve already accomplished. Now rate your list. If you have 76% - 100% you have success in your life. If you have 50% - 75% of what’s on the list, you are on the right track. Just stay focused and committed and you’ll get there. If you have less than 50% you need to take a good look at where you’re going and what you’re doing. You may find you are not living “your” life but someone else’s. Hope this helps.
James from Portland asks:
“Lode, even though I am doing well in life, I don’t consider myself to be successful. I have a great career and get paid well. I have a beautiful wife and 3 gorgeous children. Still I feel like there’s something missing!”
James, thanks for the questions. You know, that happens a lot. You see success is not just acquiring material things. Success is more than that, much more. Real success is a combination of material, spiritual, physical and emotional satisfaction. To have true success and feel successful you must have all four. One does not go without the other. Let me ask you a few questions to ponder over that I know will give you the answers you seek and with it the ability to make you feel successful: “Other than your work and your family, do you have a social life? Do you have any friends? Are these the friends you would like to have? Do you believe? If not, would you like to? Are you happy all around? If not, what is causing you unhappiness? Can you change that? Are your children living up to your expectations? If not, are your expectations too high? Do you have harmony in your life outside of your career?
Give those questions a real thought. I’ll bet you’ll come up with answers that will give you an entire new outlook and with it bring you the overall success you are looking for. Good luck.
Carla from Orlando wants to know:
“I want so much to be successful. I am afraid that once I am successful people will see me as greedy or snobbish or something. I guess that’s why I am not successful.”
Dear Carla, excellent point. A lot of people aren’t successful in life because they associate negative feelings with being successful. It’s true there are a lot of snobs out there. You know, people who act obnoxious because they’ve accumulated a bit of wealth. Success is much deeper than that. There is more to it. Success is not just about money. As far as you stopping yourself from becoming successful because of your thoughts and your feelings I can tell you first hand don’t do it. If you are a good person at heart, you’ll stay a good person, even when you are successful. Yes, there is always someone who’s going to try to break you down. That’s life. Don’t let a negative person like that influence you not to be successful. I can think of many people who are famous and extremely rich and are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. They are compassionate, giving and caring. No money in the world will change them because they are good people at their core. I think you are too. So go out and work on being successful. You deserve it.
Pete from Des Moines asks:
“Lode, once I have success in my life what do I do?”
Pete, this is probably the easiest question to answer. Once you have all the success you want in your life; i.e. material, physical, emotional and spiritual, it’s time to share your success with others. No, that doesn’t mean you now need to give your hard earned money away. What it does mean is that it’s time for you to be a guiding hand to others who are still struggling in life and are looking for a way to be successful. Become their inspiration, share your experiences, and give them a guiding hand. I’ve found that when you do that and you do it completely unselfish without wanting anything in return your success blooms even more.
Hope these few Q & A s are helping my readers. I wish to thank all of you for submitting your questions. And even though I didn’t respond to them here, there are just too many, I will respond to each and every one of your emails personally.
To your success;
Marcy from Chicago says:
“Lode, I enjoy your blog, it’s helping me a lot. I just want to know how do you define success?”
Marcy, good question. First of all you’ll have to realize that success is different for everyone. What I consider success may not be for you. And what you think of as being success may not be so for your neighbor. Therefore, defining success on general terms is really not possible. However, defining success on personal terms is. My best suggestion is that you write down everything you aim for (want) in your life. And I mean everything: money, love, car, house, job, kids, husband, jewelry, education, etc.. Once you have that general list, narrow it down to the things you really would like to have in your life. Do not think about the items on the list, rather, go with your heart. When you have that narrow list, look at it and ask yourself this: “Of all the things listed on this list, how many of them do I already have?” Check off, all the ones you’ve already accomplished. Now rate your list. If you have 76% - 100% you have success in your life. If you have 50% - 75% of what’s on the list, you are on the right track. Just stay focused and committed and you’ll get there. If you have less than 50% you need to take a good look at where you’re going and what you’re doing. You may find you are not living “your” life but someone else’s. Hope this helps.
James from Portland asks:
“Lode, even though I am doing well in life, I don’t consider myself to be successful. I have a great career and get paid well. I have a beautiful wife and 3 gorgeous children. Still I feel like there’s something missing!”
James, thanks for the questions. You know, that happens a lot. You see success is not just acquiring material things. Success is more than that, much more. Real success is a combination of material, spiritual, physical and emotional satisfaction. To have true success and feel successful you must have all four. One does not go without the other. Let me ask you a few questions to ponder over that I know will give you the answers you seek and with it the ability to make you feel successful: “Other than your work and your family, do you have a social life? Do you have any friends? Are these the friends you would like to have? Do you believe? If not, would you like to? Are you happy all around? If not, what is causing you unhappiness? Can you change that? Are your children living up to your expectations? If not, are your expectations too high? Do you have harmony in your life outside of your career?
Give those questions a real thought. I’ll bet you’ll come up with answers that will give you an entire new outlook and with it bring you the overall success you are looking for. Good luck.
Carla from Orlando wants to know:
“I want so much to be successful. I am afraid that once I am successful people will see me as greedy or snobbish or something. I guess that’s why I am not successful.”
Dear Carla, excellent point. A lot of people aren’t successful in life because they associate negative feelings with being successful. It’s true there are a lot of snobs out there. You know, people who act obnoxious because they’ve accumulated a bit of wealth. Success is much deeper than that. There is more to it. Success is not just about money. As far as you stopping yourself from becoming successful because of your thoughts and your feelings I can tell you first hand don’t do it. If you are a good person at heart, you’ll stay a good person, even when you are successful. Yes, there is always someone who’s going to try to break you down. That’s life. Don’t let a negative person like that influence you not to be successful. I can think of many people who are famous and extremely rich and are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. They are compassionate, giving and caring. No money in the world will change them because they are good people at their core. I think you are too. So go out and work on being successful. You deserve it.
Pete from Des Moines asks:
“Lode, once I have success in my life what do I do?”
Pete, this is probably the easiest question to answer. Once you have all the success you want in your life; i.e. material, physical, emotional and spiritual, it’s time to share your success with others. No, that doesn’t mean you now need to give your hard earned money away. What it does mean is that it’s time for you to be a guiding hand to others who are still struggling in life and are looking for a way to be successful. Become their inspiration, share your experiences, and give them a guiding hand. I’ve found that when you do that and you do it completely unselfish without wanting anything in return your success blooms even more.
Hope these few Q & A s are helping my readers. I wish to thank all of you for submitting your questions. And even though I didn’t respond to them here, there are just too many, I will respond to each and every one of your emails personally.
To your success;
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