Success: Its Really Pretty Simple

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.

---

Activity Versus Accomplishment

Each and every day, all of us continually search for... Read More

How to Get Up on a Down Day

One of the major obstacles to achieving goals is losing... Read More

Do You Have Staying Power?

"If you are going through hell , keep on going"... Read More

Courage and Fear

Mark Twain once said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery... Read More

Self-Esteem: You Matter

You'd be surprised. Maybe amazed. If you could see the... Read More

Letting Events Control Your Life ... Dropping The Negatives And Moving On!

It's interesting to note how we sometimes become so inundated... Read More

Practical Ways To Motivate Yourself To Learn A Skill

One way to motivate yourself to work hard at anything... Read More

How Poor Are You!

Do you want to know your poverty graph? You are... Read More

Personal Motivation: Without Struggle There Is No Progress

As each day ends and another begins, the words of... Read More

Five Ways to Expand Your Comfort Zone

Expanding your comfort zone isn't quite the same as building... Read More

Wisdom Comes to the Inquisitive Mind

Throughout my life I have observed many things and I... Read More

Top 10 Tips For The Best Year of Your Life!

We typically think of New Year's as the time to... Read More

3 Great Ways to Beat Procrastination at Work

As more tasks become automated due to advances in technology... Read More

Ever Feel Like Your Elevator Is Stuck Between Floors?

What do you do when you make a big mistake?... Read More

Breaking Even: When is Enough, Enough?

I had the most interesting discussion today with a friend... Read More

The Dream I Nearly Gave Up

Hello again to you my loyal readers. My very first... Read More

Becoming Rich in Your Own Way

If you really want to become rich, then begin by... Read More

Full Steam Ahead, Just Dont Go Off Half Cocked!

Do you do things that you don't want to do?... Read More

Optimistic Vs Pessimistic

Studies have shown that on average an optimist will have... Read More

Free Will To The Rescue

Today's society and your private world are the results of... Read More

The Solutions to Lifes 10 Biggest Problems!

Every day clients tell me about their problems, often in... Read More

Motivation: The Cure for Complacency

Q. I've always tried to work hard enough to provide... Read More

Mastering the Problem of Everyday Living

People are unhappy and defeated by their everyday problems that... Read More

The Seven Keys to Motivation

Motivation. It's a complicated subject that is studied by many... Read More

Anchors Away!

If we want to fill our heads with the doom... Read More