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.

---

Chasing Your Dreams!

Friends, it is always a power of your dreams and a motive to move ahead, which is required to move ahead and to be successful in life. Does it sound, impractical; let me... Read More

The Power Of Rules - Petty, Petty, Petty Rules

In 2004 a group of seven spoilt and often aggressive British teenagers were sent to a working ranch in Utah called "Turn-About Ranch" to undergo a regime of strict discipline and hard work.The... Read More

Back to Boot Camp

You know, whenever you are going to make a major change and begin to undergo a different lifestyle, it is probably good to make a massive move in that direction. Think about it.... Read More

Your Biggest Do it Yourself Project

When I meet people and tell them what I do, I often hear, "Oh, you are a motivational speaker," with some amount of assuredness in their voice. While I realize there are many... Read More

Are You Addicted to Selling?

The definition of Motivation in Webster's Dictionary: Motive - the sense of need, desire and fear. Based upon this definition, some sources of motivation can be dysfunctional and that is why it can... Read More

Why To Dump Will Power And Get Motivated The Easy Way

For over 20 years I have been fascinated by the possibilities that exist for creating rapid and lasting personal change. And I learned some great tools for personal change.And like you I would... Read More

Sow the Seed - See the Harvest

The story is told of two boys who were walking through a field and found some corn seeds scattered across the ground. They each took one of the seeds home and planted it.When... Read More

Ignite The Fire In Your Belly ? How To Move From Being A Procrastinator To An Activator!

Are you sick and tired of not getting ahead and just can't get yourself out of a rut? Well, there are certain requirements (accountability, responsibility, commitment to yourself, forgiveness, positive think and speak,... Read More

What are You Waiting for?

Do it now! Whatever it is you have been putting off, do it. This is your life, it is not a dress rehearsal. What is it you have always wanted to do but,... Read More

7 Key Steps to Unshakable Confidence

Do you remember that day? Perhaps it was your first job interview. Perhaps you were speaking to a group for the first time. Maybe you were starting a challenging new career or meeting... Read More

14 Reasons To Get Motivated And Stay Motivated

Why should you bother to spend your valuable time to learn how to get motivated and stay motivated?Here?s why.Your quality of life will change dramatically when you take charge of how motivated you... Read More

Moving Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Many professionals have attained a high level of competence in their particular fields. They have learned a lot in their careers and they have a good sense of what works and what doesn't.... Read More

What Does Your Future Hold? Do You Have A Plan? Or Are You Just Waiting To See What Happens?

We often find ourselves in a situation in which we either accept the change that someone else imposes upon us or in which we ourselves effect the change we would like to see... Read More

Moving Past Your Comfort Zone

We all gravitate toward what we feel most comfortable doing. We avoid going to certain places or doing certain things, because we're afraid of failing or of looking foolish or any number of... Read More

A Few Simple Things You Must Do If You Want To Be Wealthy

Making money is easy when you move to cause rather than living out effects.Let me draw a simple analogy to clarify my point.Imagine standing before a huge waterfall. You're thirsty and the water... Read More

Motivtion: The Power of Responsibility

One of the things I've noticed about successful people is that they have a clear understanding of the relationship between cause and effect in their lives. Successful people understand that if they want... Read More

Keep On Keepin On

In those times when everything seems to be going just perfectly, it is easy to keep moving toward the fulfillment of your dreams and ambitions. You are in the flow. The whole world... Read More

The P Word... Procrastination

A problem many of us are familiar with. Its showing up in your work environment interfering with your daily life?.and peace of mind.What does procrastination look like? Clutter on your desktop, over-stuffed filing... Read More

Achieving Your Dreams

Have you achieved your dreams? Dreams are an important part of our lives and should not be ignored. Our dreams inspire us to achieve unbelievable deeds, create stunning works of art, bring to... Read More

Are You an Achiever or are You an EXCUSIOLOGIST?

It would be a fairly safe bet that if you are reading this article then you are on the lookout for something more in your life than what you already have.Whether you are... Read More

What Would You Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail?

The next time you find yourself relaxing on the couch, having popped some corn and about to watch the "Sopranos", instead, pose this $1,000,000 lottery question to yourself and see what flows. What... Read More

Trust the ?System? ? It Works!

The "System" ? the overall structure and organization of this great creation that we're a part of? including our ability to personally interact with (and benefit from) the spiritual aspects of this creation... Read More

Success: 10 Easy Success Tips To Help You Achieve Your Ambitions In Life

I want to wish you good health, long life, success and happiness.Most people are capable of setting up goals for them to achieve.That is the easy part.The difficult part is in the implementation... Read More

Are You a Self-Saboteur?

Take this questionnaire to get clear on what you may be doing to undermine your own success and happiness in life. An explanation of your score awaits at the end.1. When someone offers... Read More

How to Change Your Negative Reality

It is often taken for granted that the reality tomorrow will be the same as today.But the fact is it changes constantly, imperceptibly without even our realizing that the reality has changed. The... Read More

Don?t Let Motivation Cause You to Fail

Yesterday my teenage son Matt came home with a less than stellar report card. (Yes, even peak performance experts sometimes have trouble motivating others.) Now Matt is by no means stupid. The reason... Read More

If Theres Money in a Dead Mouse...

My 4 year old son was very excited. I had promised him to tell a wonderful story tonight.As usual, I got engrossed in my work till late evening when I suddenly remembered about... Read More

Are You Lacking Self-Discipline? - Part 1

A man does not live until he begins to discipline himself; he merely exists. Like an animal he gratifies his desires and pursues his inclinations just where they may lead him. He is... Read More

ACTION is More Important than Knowledge!

It was Albert Einstein who stated that 'imagination is more important than knowledge'. Now if he had been addressing a room full of entrepreneurs, I hazard a guess that he might also have... Read More