The Prime Problem of Success

Beware of the common attitude that follows satisfaction, progress and abundance. These indeed do great deal of good to the human person and his self esteem but don’t be ignorant of their opposite effects. Satisfaction is a wonderful feeling considering that unsatisfaction can cause cancer. Satisfaction to an extent can lead to mediocrity, likewise comfort and abundance; as they both have their negative effects. Right now you might be thinking I’m trying to bring something under a bad light. No am not. I’m only trying to make plain the truth that too much of anything doesn’t help personal development.

But for progress…I’m yet to figure out the adverse effect of it. I know that success as it progresses encounters problems it must have to solve. Every progress shares one common challenge. At the feet of this challenge many success metamorphose into mediocrity.

That challenge is improvement and all it connotes. One common problem with man is that he does not come to realization of what he is capable of (so he settles for less). The little I know, I owe to my ignorance – Sacha Guitry.

It’s natural to revel and savor breakthroughs and achievements, it’s however more common to be carried away by it. The distance between consistent progress and mediocrity is the sense of improvement. There is always opportunity for improvement. One question I ask and recommend is “Is this the best that can be made out of me”? if you answer faithfully you will discover streams of ideas, passion, aspiration and motivation that will flow through.

A key to consistent progress is, knowing that there is always opportunity for improvement and that you can be/do better. Though time runs it leaves behind opportunity for improvement. And while we haste to keep pace with time we run over opportunity that could make appreciable impact. So appreciate the thought that time is not against you rather you are against time. He is not in haste that knows what he is doing. If you know what you are doing, you won’t envy. I think those who envy others success are those who fail to do what they should yet hope on luck to see them through.

The level of effort and thinking that results to a success is not the same level of effort and thinking that would propel or facilitate continuous growth of that success.

3 Factors That Would Most Definitely Guaranty Failure

Today’s topic on seeds of success brings on vital issues we encounter on a common basis. Fundamentally one might be tempted to believe that if one could avoid failure and all that it stands for then one would be reveling in the realm of success. Since success could be viewed as the opposite of failure it might not be wrong to think in that direction. However, success is not necessarily the absence of failure; as not being a failure does not ultimately declare one a success. You can decide not to be a failure and yet not be a success (strong words huh?). It’s a two way decision process. When the decision not to be a failure is not followed or by the decision to , mediocrity automatically fills the void (nature does not permit vacuum). Things don’t just happen. There is a safe haven between success and failure for anyone who thinks he has arrived. Yes you guessed right – average. Average is the diplomatic way of saying mediocrity. Decision not to be a failure helps you to where you are not a failure but yet not a success. On this ground, many arrive and build mansions rather than tents. However, this is not a surprise. You will push to the goal despite the achievement on the road, if you know what you want. On the other hand, if you don’t expect a thing and eventually get it or something close, it’s only natural that you revere it or probably settle for it. Donald Trump puts it well, “think big… or in my words expect big. Out of the many that are called, few choose to push to the end. Three factors would almost certainly guaranty failure in any venture.

1.Starting with only the now in mind: the statement “now is the best time” is not a general rule. Start with the end in mind. Man is intelligent; he will avoid certain misdeeds If only he pauses to consider the eventual outcome be his act. Anyone would readily take an opportunity that has an appealing now. Latter is a procrastinating word. They usually meet disappointment, those who do things for the present rush alone. If you start small in doing the right thing, you will most certainly grow with persistence, applying the right principles. If you start big, despising the small but necessary things that form your basis for laying the right foundation, you will most definitely end small.


2.Starting with the wrong motivation: your motive determines failure or success, it works In line with nature. Though it’s hidden and might not be lived out, by nature you will attract what you ask or deserve. Good motives often attract the right opportunities, events, and people to achieve its goals. Bad motives no matter how secretive and painted would eventually attract as it deserves. Motive is primary, it forms the basis on which values are created and habits formed. These two are key pillars on which character is created. Your character is who you are. Progress no matter how progressive is only temporal when the motive is wrong.


3.Doubt: doubt is when you can and think you cannot. When you doubt you create a war-zone between two strongly opposing parties within you. When this happens you divide your strength, skill and mind to achieve. You also call two incompatible forces, that of fear and faith. This leaves you handicap in the game of decision choice and focus. Though there be skill and ability doubt kills the strength and will to perform. And most certainly failure would be inevitable when you so much look in the direction of fear than faith.

Coping With Difficulty In Challenging Times

Desperate times call for desperate measures, like you well know; courage is not proven in times of comfort but it is tested in desperate and challenging times. It’s kind of discouraging to encounter unexpected difficulties that defy a preplanned strategy for an objective. Our determination or disadvantage is made evident on a daily basis by virtue of the challenges we face. A strategic plan will always anticipate challenges as well as take care of them.

But there are times when even your best of plans seem to encounter difficulties that defy their strategy and potency. Now what do you do in such situation? Do you give up on it or do you strive to succeed with it, even when everything seems to point to an impending probable failure?

This one thing I do, I try to be realistic with a positive, can do outlook on the situation. The fact is that you can’t always win, but it will only be cowardly if you choose to dash an opportunity for fear of failure. Only losers hold such principle (rather not attempt it than do and bear the embarrassment of failing). There are two fundamental questions I ask myself:

-Is this winnable?

-Do I stand the slightest of chances?

Answering these questions technically and sincerely will, on the positive aspect create a massive determination in me capable of propelling me through any opposition that the challenge might pose. There’s nothing that rouses one like a little opposition.

Learn to be self motivated: challenges don’t ring bells before they show up, so you will do well not just to expect them but to prepare for them. However, motivation is very important. Some people find it difficult to motivate themselves in times of calamity. To live that happy life in addition to having a positive outlook on life one must come to the point of self motivation. This involves getting the body, soul and spirit to appreciate the motive towards actualization.

Learn to stand up to challenges: If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Stand up to your challenge. My mother use to say “what doesn’t think (inanimate) cannot outwit that which does”. Failure establishes only this, that our determination to succeed was not strong enough. –Bovee. Only robots are designed to avoid obstacles on their path. You are not a robot are you? You are endowed with a unique ability to handle and overcome challenges; challenges are opportunities in disguise.

And remember, no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.