Thoughts on Success

What exactly does success means to you?
Consider these definitions:
• Finishing what you planned to do
• Putting in 100% effort no matter what the outcome
• “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
– Winston Churchill

One thing is certain: the path to success almost always follows multiple failures. We need to avoid defeating ourselves in our own minds based on tripping over the obstacles in our path.

“In order to succeed, you must fail, so that you know what not to do next time.”
- Anthony J. D’Angelo, The College Blue Book .
“Temporary defeat is not permanent failure.”
- Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich
“If at first you don’t succeed, you’re running about average.”
- M. H. Anderson

When a new year begins, we have ahead of us 365 days that we haven’t yet filled. No matter what mistakes and disappointments occurred in the past year, we can change our lives starting today. The difference between those who ultimately succeed and those who don’t is usually about persistence and keeping a positive mental attitude. Knocking on one closed door that refuses to open doesn’t necessarily mean we should give up. It may mean we need to steer down a different path.

This is explained clearly by Napoleon Hill in his classic Think and Grow Rich:

“If the first plan you adopt does not work successfully, replace it with a new plan; if this new plan fails to work, replace it in turn with still another, and so on, until you find a plan which does work. Right here is the point at which the majority of men meet with failure, because of the lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail.”

The people who eventually attain success are the people who don’t give up in the face of defeat. They are also the people who know exactly where they want to go. A clearly defined goal – not a vague goal - is the first step to attaining success. In other words, “I will make an extra $10,000 by April 1” brings in a lot more focus than “I want to make more money this year.” By clearly defining our goals, we can then envision the steps we need to take to make them a reality. It is often suggested we write out our goals and read them every morning, in order to keep our focus on exactly where we’re heading.

“The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going.”
- Author Unknown

In short, we can attain success by knowing where we’re going, and not giving up when initially it appears we have failed.

Or as Napoleon Hill would put it, “No man is ever whipped, until he quits - in his own mind.”

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Valerie Dansereau is a banker turned entrepreneur. For work at home ideas, parenting tips and suggestions for saving time and money, visit www.work-at-home-parenting.com

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