Putting Yourself on the Road to Success

What separates successful people from unsuccessful people, achievers from non-achievers, winners from losers? Are people born that way or do they develop habits as they grow older which determine their stations in life?

It would be fair to say that the answers to these questions are very complex ones. It is a combination of factors which include such things as your country of birth, when you were born, your IQ, your physique, your capacity to remember, your environment, your parents, your friends, your associates, the formal education you receive and the books you read.

Let us look at the things you have no control or little control over and work through to the things that you have absolute control over.

First, you have no say when, where or how you were born or who your parents are. Genetics dictate such things as your IQ, to a large extent your physique and your capacity to remember. However, these things can be improved through training and effort.

As a youngster you also have no control over your environment or the formal education that you receive, but that can also be improved as you grow older and take more control of your life - if you choose.

So, what is left? You might think not much. However, I contend that what is left could very well be the most important determinants of failure versus success. The people you keep company with and the books that you read.

Now, here is the exciting part of it all. They are the two things that you definitely have control over. So I need to ask you two questions:

  • Are you associating with positive people who are interested in helping you achieve your goals?
  • Are you educating yourself, on a continuous basis, with appropriate books to improve your knowledge base? There are books available to suit everybody's taste. For those who have an aversion to reading books might I suggest "Rhinoceros Success" by Scott Alexander (ISBN: 0-937382-00-0). It is one of the most amusing "success" books you will ever find. It also contains cartoons complementing the text. It is quite a masterful production written by a very talented writer.

    Scott Alexander has written three "Rhinocerotic" volumes. All are eminently readable.

    I first read Scott's books some fifteen years ago and have read them several times since. They are always enjoyable and are just as relevant today as when he wrote them way back in 1980.

    You cannot change the conditions of your birth but you can take advantage of those things, which are within your control. You can put yourself on the road to success. Just surround yourself with positive people and read, read, read!

    [If you like this article and would like to use it on your own website or ezine you may do so ONLY if the article is not changed in any way and the final paragraph: "About the author", with all links intact, is included.]

    About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary's email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice."

    In The News:


    Washington Post

    What Powered a 'Magnetic' Attraction
    Washington Post, United States - 7 hours ago
    Working under the moniker "Semiconductor," British-based artists Ruth Jarman and Joseph Gerhardt have been experimenting in film and performance since the ...

    Disney World opens pricey racecar attraction
    guardian.co.uk, UK - 9 hours ago
    The latest tourist attraction at Walt Disney World in Florida weighs about 1500 pounds and to ride it, you have to sign nine pages of legal waivers and ...

    Examiner.com

    In Birds' circus, McNabb is the main attraction
    Examiner.com - Nov 20, 2008
    by Gordie Jones, Philadelphia Eagles Examiner Donovan McNabb looked over at a writer friend and me as we sat on a couch outside the auditorium in the ...

    Integrated Reward and Talent Management Yields Better Attraction ...
    MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
    WASHINGTON, Nov 20, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- While the economic slowdown may be making it easier for employers to attract and retain ...
    Integrated Reward and Talent Management Yields Better Attraction ... Earthtimes (press release)
    all 8 news articles

    Feline fatal attraction that has to be broken if Scotland's ...
    Times Online, UK - 8 hours ago
    Yet the final, killer blow may be struck by the attractions of its feline cousin. Interbreeding between wildcats and feral domestic cats has left this ...

    Bristol Herald Courier

    Upside-Down Attraction Is A ‘Wonder’
    Bristol Herald Courier, TN - Nov 19, 2008
    The exterior of Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. looks like the building landed upside down. By Joe Tennis PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. ...
    Titanic To Anchor In Pigeon Forge The Chattanoogan
    all 2 news articles

    Popular holiday attraction is taking shape
    Port Huron Times Herald, MI - Nov 20, 2008
    BY STEPHEN TAIT Light displays in the shapes of ships, ice skaters and Christmas trees have popped up along the St. Clair River in Port Huron in the past ...

    Pierre LeBrun: Rookie race lacks big-name attraction, but not ...
    ESPN - Nov 20, 2008
    For the first time since the lockout, the NHL has a wide-open rookie race without the big-name attraction. Alex Ovechkin edged out Sidney Crosby in a ...

    Techtree.com

    Fatal Attraction
    Techtree.com, India - Nov 19, 2008
    Extreme game addiction can be fatal. A 15-year old Swedish teen learned it the hard way after a 24-hour straight game of World of Warcraft s expansion pack ...

    Strange attraction: Kristin Stewart gets drawn into ‘Twilight’ zone
    Boston Herald, United States - Nov 16, 2008
    Bella first sees Edward in the cafeteria of their Pacific Northwest high school, and the mutual attraction is immediate. “Once you know something you can’t ...
    Review: 'Twilight' Christian Science Monitor
    Teen romance with vampire complications Philadelphia Inquirer
    Twilight: Bronte Never Dies New York Press
    Los Angeles Times - NewsOK.comall 871 news articles
    attraction - Google News
  • Im Thinking...But Im not Growing Rich!

    So you've read "Think and Grow Rich", and you've got... Read More

    Attitude Is Everything

    The process of human change begins within us. We all... Read More

    I Like to be Unreasonable

    "Progress is made by only unreasonable man" -- Gorge Bernard... Read More

    The Take-off!

    "I just can't start a conversation with women, and it's... Read More

    The Journey to a State Called Authentic

    Sometimes when I refer to the Authentic Self, I receive... Read More

    Can You Change a Man?

    Recently, at a public function where I was the Toastmaster,... Read More

    Great Things Cannot Happen Without Change

    If you always do what you've always done, you'll always... Read More

    The Gift

    Welcome to The Gift ? a simple pattern that is... Read More

    How To Put An End To Rejection

    Rejection is one of the most painful experiences in relationships.... Read More

    We Are All Literally Two-Faced

    "Your face is my map to your life." - Houdini,... Read More

    Secrets Of Energy

    Lotus dakini gathers energy. When wanting and grasping hold sway... Read More

    Communication Quiz: Are You a Great Communicator?

    Communication, which occupies approximately 70% of our waking hours, is... Read More

    Feng Shui To Attract Love

    Not having much luck in love lately? Relationship falling apart?... Read More

    10 Keys to Prosperity

    1. Everyday, in everyway, bless the universe in as much... Read More

    10 Simple Ways to Honor Your Uniqueness

    One message we hear from the time we are children... Read More

    Choose Your Friends, Choose Your Fate

    When I was about 10 years, I got a t-shirt... Read More

    To Live Or To Live With Purpose: That?s The Ultimate Question

    Each person has her or his own place and purpose.... Read More

    Character or Reputation

    Character or Reputation. When we see these two words together,... Read More

    Will You Be Part of the Bigger Picture?

    With all the media attention you've probably become aware that... Read More

    5 Tips To Increase Your Personal Power

    1. The most important one: Have at least one person... Read More

    Be Not Afraid, Ye of Midlife

    Millions of people face huge changes in their lives during... Read More

    Abundance or Scarcity: What Belief Do You Choose to Engage?

    For the last several years, I have included on my... Read More

    Its Your Life - Take Control

    If you seem to spend much of your life doing... Read More

    Women and Bad Boys: What Is The Attraction?

    "Bad Boys".If you're a woman, you may be saying "hmmm"... Read More

    Plug in with a Pupose!

    Imagine that each person on this planet carried with them... Read More