From the 'What You Need to Succeed' Series
Every once in awhile I stop and take a look at myself. No ? I don't mean in the mirror, I mean ? I do a self-assessment of how I am managing the issues in my life. Have I let some circumstance or some event persuade me to give up on one of my dreams? How hard did I try?
Ever hear the expression, "Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration?"
I'm here to tell you that it's true. If you want to succeed, one of the KEY things you absolutely MUST have is the determination and commitment to make sure you don't let anything stop you from achieving the success you are dreaming of and planning for (and yes ? you need a plan!)
Whenever I run into an obstacle, hurdle, or challenge to my success my instinctive reaction is usually to visualize it as a huge stone blocking my path. I then visualize myself moving the stone, OR figuring out a way to get around it, over it, under it, or through it. What I always know about a hurdle is this: I can always find a way to get past it if I just look hard enough.
And when you really KNOW this (from experience), it gives you the confidence you need to succeed. So let me give you an example of how this has worked in MY life.
There was a time when I worked as an IT contractor. I was a borderline DEC computer geek, and I was able to breathe life into computers others had given up for dead, or resolve issues that others thought were hopeless. It wasn't because I was a genius ? it was mostly because I was resourceful. I took notes on everything I learned the hard way over the years, and I created a notebook that I took with me everywhere I went. That notebook paid my salary on many projects. Plus, I also kept a list of who I could contact for help if I got stuck.
One day, I got a call for a short contract assignment. I seems that several folks in a big government agency were not able to get one of their DEC systems working properly. And it was causing problems because it was winter time and the computer was designed to measure the water flow in several major streams throughout my state. Flood control was almost non-existent with this computer down.
I will never forget this assignment because as I was unpacking my briefcase someone who worked in the facility came up to me, sneered skeptically and said, "five people have already tried their best to fix this thing and have given up on it ? so what makes you think YOU can do any better?"
Clearly, he didn't expect me to succeed.
I was a little bit taken aback by his comment, but, I quickly retorted with "Yeah, well, that's because none of them were ME".
And that's how I began my work on this project. I mapped out my approach to how I planned to solve this problem, and figured out most of what was needed on my own. But when I hit a snag or two, I made a couple of support calls, and got in touch with someone who knew what I needed to resolve some of those challenges.
And within a couple of days, I was walking back out the door, mission accomplished. As I was leaving, I passed by Mr. Cheerful and stopped long enough to ask "OK, so now please tell me why I succeeded". I loved this part.
Stumped, he squinted and shrugged, saying "Geez, I dunno."
I said "It's because those other people gave up too soon and didn't plan to succeed," I smiled, pointing to and tapping on my notebook.
I have to admit I reveled a little bit in demolishing his expectation that I would fail just as my predecessors had.
This success, like many others I've had, served to reinforce what was already ingrained in me by then. The longer you stay with something, the more of an expert you'll become. The greater your expertise, the more likely you will solve problems and assure your success.
It's really pretty simple: Map out a path for your vision, find a way to always reference what you've already learned, work with others to provide support, and never give up.
(c) 2005 by Kevin Wirth - all rights reserved worldwide
Kevin Wirth is the owner of KEVS-KORNER ezine, a free online newsletter offering articles, tips, resources, and insight on over 170 different marketing tactics. He is bringing together a growing community where you can work with others to create and market products online. To discover more about how you can grow your online business with marketing tactics and get a free gift just for visiting, please head on over to http://www.kevs-korner.com.
One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More
"Every truly great accomplishment is at first impossible." It's a... Read More
The first of January and September, as well as our... Read More
There have been many discussions and grumblings in the Western... Read More
Awareness, understanding what impacts you!Awareness makes it possible for you... Read More
In 2004 seven badly behaved teenagers were sent to a... Read More
Have you heard something referred to as a "nine day... Read More
Ever begin doing something that you do for a few... Read More
Do you remember that day? Perhaps it was your first... Read More
One day, a young man was cleaning out his late... Read More
Many professionals spend their entire careers working under managers or... Read More
I'll get right to the point. Life is not necessarily... Read More
Self Improvement Tip 4 Don't procrastinate! The more you put... Read More
"Things is either done, or they ain't done." Marlon SandersSome... Read More
Staying motivated at work is easier than you think when... Read More
You've probably heard the phrase, "Idle hands are the devil's... Read More
One fact stubbornly stays true: while everyone desires to succeed,... Read More
MY FOUR-MINUTE DANCING CAREERA few years ago, I decided to... Read More
Picture this: A mother and daughter are looking at the... Read More
"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my... Read More
We're all aware of how important teamwork is and how... Read More
A few years ago, I was with 20 of America's... Read More
It has been said that "if you are not growing,... Read More
This article provides constructive tips about facing retrenchment and moving... Read More
A King was trying to choose between three maidens to... Read More
Ah, those New Year's resolutions.I suppose that the passage of... Read More
When the Universe is aligned, all things are possible. Kismet,... Read More
Letīs discover the importance of balancing preparation, timing and momentum.... Read More
Our physical brains quickly and easily handle mundane sequences of... Read More
"Only as high as I reach can I grow, Only... Read More
Several years ago, my husband introduced me to some potential... Read More
Starting a business or project is one thing, keeping it... Read More
One way to motivate yourself to work hard at anything... Read More
Your motivation is one of the core resources you have... Read More
THE BRAINThe Brain is the instrument of the mind, the... Read More
Mark Twain once said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery... Read More
Being let go; suffering redundancy; experiencing downsizing are all very... Read More
When I listen to people tell me about some of... Read More
I hear many people discuss how selfishness leads to greed,... Read More
Starting a business or project is one thing, keeping it... Read More
The 21-year-old rookie cop had his big chance to brag... Read More
While speaking at a San Diego university recently, I was... Read More
Have you ever had a great business idea?Did you focus... Read More
What is the biggest mistake you have made about manifesting... Read More
THOUGHTSJames Allen in his Book "As a Man Thinketh"says Mind... Read More
From the 'What You Need to Succeed' SeriesEvery once in... Read More
Are you having a hard time getting things done? Are... Read More
1. Where do I start to create a new life?There... Read More
Many studies have been done to research the effects of... Read More
When the Universe is aligned, all things are possible. Kismet,... Read More
One Saturday morning, a minister could not think of a... Read More
It's early January as I sit down to research and... Read More
Building Energy Around your Investment!For a century or more men... Read More
Do you do things that you don't want to do?... Read More
As the story goes, there was once a farmer and... Read More
Carol was a new client. She had been looking for... Read More
No one can motivate anyone to do anything. All a... Read More
Awareness, understanding what impacts you!Awareness makes it possible for you... Read More
I hope you're having an AWESOME week!Let me first say... Read More
Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More
It would be a fairly safe bet that if you... Read More
Many people are too busy today trying to fit themselves... Read More
Imagine what your life would be like if you could... Read More
Here's an interesting story from the world of race car... Read More
Have you heard something referred to as a "nine day... Read More
I can't stress this enough: You've got to motivate yourself... Read More
Motivation |