Success Needs Something to Work With
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Success Needs Something to Work With
It can only draw out what already exists
Miracle Success
Success is not a miracle worker. It can’t turn water into wine. It can’t turn common metal into gold. Success can only draw out what already exists.
Reading success books won't make anyone successful. Cultivating a Success mindset and following principles and practices of success will not turn an idea that won't work into a success. It won't make a dream come true if the dream is not possible or not valued (needed) by others.
Perhaps this needs to be on the first page of every success book.
Where Success Fails
I ran across an article titled "All You've Read About Success Is Worthless." The author was telling a story about how he realized he needed more training in his field, rather than reading another success book. He was making the point that each person has their own path to success. And constantly reading the success stories of others was clearly unhelpful in his current situation. He's right, however, he was wrong in condemning the success industry as a whole. Honestly, I think he was just making a point in a sensational way.
I strongly believe that success principles, practices, and mindset are very important, but it should never be the focus. Success fails when success becomes the focus.
If we have a dream or a goal, the focus should be on doing the daily work that is required to achieve the goal. That is 90 percent of success.
What I have learned through experience is a success mindset will not turn something that won't work into a success.
Where Success Works
Some people are born with a strong will to achieve what they want. This is undeniable. Read Arnold Schwarzenegger’s story. Read Oprah's story. There are many stories!
The truth is, we aren't all wired to take "massive action" or "crush it." We aren’t all child prodigies.
Success principles, mindset, and practices work the best when they are used to draw out the potential in people. They can give people the confidence to try. They can bring hope to people that didn't have the opportunity to focus on their potential because they had to focus on survival.
Success teaching can change the direction of people that are tired of wandering. It can help people unlearn the negative beliefs that they acquired over the years. It can work as a counter message of the numbness of status quo.
And for people who have reached a certain level of accomplishment, success principles can help them find that one percent improvement that will take them to the next level.
Success can be viewed as an outreach. A way to call out the greatness in all people.
Success is a Teacher
I have tried many things and have failed. As the comedian, George Burns said: "I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate."
When I failed, it’s because I discovered I didn't like it. But how would I know if I didn't invest the time and try?
Success was there for me through each failure. Success taught me to get back up and try the next idea. Success told me to think of all the reasons why I can, instead of can't. Success taught me to keep learning, to keep growing, to keep gaining insight. Success taught me to take action in order to learn more quickly. Success taught me to take responsibility, and not blame circumstances or others.
Success is my teacher, mentor, and encourager.
Balance
Success principles should not cause suffering! If we find ourselves getting angry, depressed, discouraged then we should stop and regroup.
In life there is always too much, too little, and just right. We have a tendency to overdo things as well as not give all our effort. We should be aware of this and patiently find our own balance.
We don’t have to measure up to anything or anyone. We just simply need to be who we were created to be. We explore our talents and put them to good use.
Finally
Success needs something to work with. It needs a good idea. Something that is a good fit for us. And sometimes finding that idea takes time. Success principles, practices, and mindset can help us, but our dream or goal is the focus, not the elusive success secret we might be missing.
Our path to success is ours alone. Knowing this can give us the confidence and courage to take action.
Gratitude and being of service is really all we need. Start there and never move away from this foundation.
To your success!
What is your dream?
My dream is to write small but powerful books that simplify success, and plant them like seeds.
My first book is "How to Build a Foundation for your Dreams." You can read it FREE at www.jamesonsuccess.com/books.