Nothing is as sweet as success, and nothing is as bitter as failure! We all want to succeed at something in life. Have you discovered what you are good at? If you have, then work at it until you become a reference point. It is one thing to work hard, and another to work smart. Working smart means you have to regularly update your knowledge in your field in order to stay sharp, and recoup time so as not to be left behind in a world that no longer exists in the present day life. You need to reach beyond yourself and study those who have succeeded in areas where you want to succeed in order to know what to do and avoid making mistakes. In the words of Admiral Hyman Rickover, “Learn from the mistakes of others; you will never live long enough to make them yourself.”
You can’t succeed outside your purpose of creation. Once you’ve located God’s will for your life, go for knowledge, take action and channel your energy toward succeeding at it. “When God gives you an opportunity to climb the next rung of the ladder, use these guidelines:”
- Don’t shrink away from people whose experience and expertise are greater than your own. Diversity threatens only the narrow-minded. Don’t get intimidated by the achievements of others, rather, get closer to them and be humble enough to learn from them.
- Don’t try to impress people by seeking to be their intellectual equal. If you find yourself in a discussion that intimidates you, listen carefully, ask questions, talk only about what you know, and listen attentively to what you don’t know. The next time you meet, you will be that much further ahead.
- Don’t come to class unless you’ve done your homework. Preparation is the key to unending success. When God starts taking you higher, prepare your speech, your wardrobe, and your mind. Read wide, consult experts and learn the basics. Build upon what you already know and move up gradually from one level to another. The more prepared you are, the more opportunities God will bring your way.
- Don’t just work hard, learn to work smart. Learn newer methods of achieving result within the shortest possible time without a decline in quality.
- Do away with immediate pleasure and concentrate on personal growth. To excel at anything, you must be willing to discipline yourself in order to get your desired result. Don’t sacrifice your future for instant gratification. It takes decades to grow an oak tree, but only days to grow a squash. Which do you want to be?
- Be focused. Once you’ve discovered your purpose in life, pay the required price, and give it all you’ve got. The easiest way to fail is for you to become ‘Jack of all trade, but master of none.’ Don’t be sidetracked from that one thing that will make your life count.
- Go for quality not quantity. In life, it’s not how far but how well. Whatever you have been called to do, you pay with time. Therefore, look for how to maximize your time and come out with the best.
- Ask God for favour– A day of favour is better than years of labour.
According to Bob Gass, “Are you starving for success? If you are, one of the ways to get things moving is to get around achievers, and watch how they work. You can meet with them by reading their books, listening to their tapes and learning how they think.”
You can be successful if you are willing to pay the price. Be determined to succeed against all odds, and never quit until you succeed.
Excerpts:
Bob Gass- Discovery your Destiny
