4 INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS
So far we have been studying that wonderful book, FAILING FORWARD by John C. Maxwell. This study is intended to change our paradigm about failure and move on to the next level with a sense of purpose and understanding of our vision.
Of course, the Failing Forward Series will not be complete without a discourse on how we can move forward from where we stopped to where we are going. That is to say, we all need a course of action or a step-by-step process for achieving of our set goals and objectives in life.
John C. Maxwell presented a four-point plan for approaching achievement in any endeavour, as discussed below:
1. PURPOSE: Find one
Purpose is the essence of existence and to succeed in any organization or career, you need a purpose to hold on to. According to John C Maxwell, having a sense of purpose keeps a person going in the midst of adversity because it is the fuel that powers persistence. Always ask yourself this question, “Why should I do this?” or “Why am I doing this?”
2. EXCUSES: Eliminate them
A failure will continue to be a failure as long as he continues to give excuses and blame everything (or everyone) but himself for his failure. According to George Washington Carver, “Ninety- nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses”. And John C Maxwell advises, “No matter how many opportunities you’ve missed, or mistakes you’ve made, don’t ever make excuses. Bite the bullet, take complete responsibility for yourself, and keep trying.”
3. INCENTIVES: Develop some
Incentives are those things that encourage you and keep you going, even when the road seems tough and rugged. I mean, incentives make the journey or race worthwhile! Developing incentives for yourself means encouraging and inspiring yourself to think of solutions and ideas, and motivating your resources towards achieving those goals and objectives.
As you develop incentives for yourself, keep these things in mind:
i. Reward yourself only after you reach the goal.
ii. Divide the process into stages to multiply the rewards, and
iii. Include others, so as to ensure a sense of accountability and maximum enjoyment.
4. DETERMINATION: Cultivate it
Napoleon Hill declared that “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” Refusal to quit even when situations warrant them is the hallmark of those who succeed in life.
The sand of history is filled with the footprints of ordinary men and women who kept on going through good times and bad to achieve their dreams. They kept at it until they got what they wanted in life. People like Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Thomas Edison, Golda Meir, Bill Gates and even Barrack Obama, to mention but a few.
Dear friend, success is not automatic. It requires vision to light the way, responsibility to fulfill the task, motivation to carry us along the way, and above all, determination to weather the storms!
Remember,
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Stay tuned for the final part of the Failing Forward Series…
Of course, the Failing Forward Series will not be complete without a discourse on how we can move forward from where we stopped to where we are going. That is to say, we all need a course of action or a step-by-step process for achieving of our set goals and objectives in life.
John C. Maxwell presented a four-point plan for approaching achievement in any endeavour, as discussed below:
1. PURPOSE: Find one
Purpose is the essence of existence and to succeed in any organization or career, you need a purpose to hold on to. According to John C Maxwell, having a sense of purpose keeps a person going in the midst of adversity because it is the fuel that powers persistence. Always ask yourself this question, “Why should I do this?” or “Why am I doing this?”
2. EXCUSES: Eliminate them
A failure will continue to be a failure as long as he continues to give excuses and blame everything (or everyone) but himself for his failure. According to George Washington Carver, “Ninety- nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses”. And John C Maxwell advises, “No matter how many opportunities you’ve missed, or mistakes you’ve made, don’t ever make excuses. Bite the bullet, take complete responsibility for yourself, and keep trying.”
3. INCENTIVES: Develop some
Incentives are those things that encourage you and keep you going, even when the road seems tough and rugged. I mean, incentives make the journey or race worthwhile! Developing incentives for yourself means encouraging and inspiring yourself to think of solutions and ideas, and motivating your resources towards achieving those goals and objectives.
As you develop incentives for yourself, keep these things in mind:
i. Reward yourself only after you reach the goal.
ii. Divide the process into stages to multiply the rewards, and
iii. Include others, so as to ensure a sense of accountability and maximum enjoyment.
4. DETERMINATION: Cultivate it
Napoleon Hill declared that “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” Refusal to quit even when situations warrant them is the hallmark of those who succeed in life.
The sand of history is filled with the footprints of ordinary men and women who kept on going through good times and bad to achieve their dreams. They kept at it until they got what they wanted in life. People like Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Thomas Edison, Golda Meir, Bill Gates and even Barrack Obama, to mention but a few.
Dear friend, success is not automatic. It requires vision to light the way, responsibility to fulfill the task, motivation to carry us along the way, and above all, determination to weather the storms!
Remember,
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Stay tuned for the final part of the Failing Forward Series…
Comments
Post a Comment