Success and You

As you look toward the remaining months of fiscal year 2020, are you going to just ride out another year under the banner of, “I am just taking a breather”, or are you going to move from good to great; and make a difference in your life and the life of others?

Having great success in life begins in the mind; first the inner then the outer, first the thought then the thing, first the mental then the physical. That being said, I challenge you to make the most of Fiscal Year 2020 and strive to be great in whatever you do. Remember – the thing that gets in the way of you becoming GREAT, at whatever you do, is YOU, settling for the good. Don’t settle for the good; push yourself.

To help you get started, here are four philosophies on success I believe are worth knowing:

1. Success is for everyone.

Too many people misunderstand success. They think success is due to some genius, luck or other thing they do not possess. The reality, however, is that success is knowing who you are, your purpose in life, and in helping others along the way. This is the way we become fulfilled as human beings. Success is not acquiring something. Success is about being fulfilled because you are growing to meet your full potential and your contribution to helping others in growing in life.

2. The greatest enemy of tomorrow’s success is today’s success.

My mother would always tell me – “son, don’t get the big head…” “The minute you think you have arrived is the minute you will start losing your way”. I didn’t get it at first, but I have grown up to realize that was a great life lesson my mother instilled in me.

Do not allow yourself to grow complacent. As Les Brown would say, “stay hungry”. No matter what you have accomplished, or where you have been, there is always room for growth, improvement and more knowledge.

The point: Do not let success go to your head or settle into a comfort zone. Continue to move forward and strive for greatness each and every day. Remember – if what you did yesterday still looks pretty good, then you have not done enough today.

3. Your life becomes better when you become better.

In moving from good to great, if your career, marriage, job, and or life are to improve – you must improve. Change is constant – growth is optional. Therefore, if you want to go from where you are to where you want to be, you have to grow from how you are to how you ought to be. Remember – the people who reach their potential, and move from good to great, no matter what their background or profession, think in terms of continual improvement.

4. You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.

The Apostle Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In other words, do not let the junk, doubt and negativity of this world latch onto your mind. Each day, fill your mind with positive thoughts, productive information and more knowledge. Always remember, it takes strength of character to maintain a positive and disciplined mind. It is not the mountain we conquer, but our minds.   

There you have it, four philosophies on success that I hope you will consider embracing. They have worked for me in my life and I am sure they will work for you. Continue moving from good to great, and being all that you can be. Always remember – There Is Greatness Within You…