Fundamentals of Success

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Posted by: " Krishna " Krishna

Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:20 pm (PDT)

 

In life, and in business, there are only a few fundamentals that make

life work out well, and they have never changed. Too often we pretend

that technology and education have created " new rules " or that modern

systems permit us to cut corners and find short-cuts that didn't exist

in the past. While there may be examples where that is true, in

general, I don't believe it.

 

The fundamentals of living well, achieving our dreams and creating

wealth have not changed. The path to success today is remarkably

similar to the path walked by generations past.

 

What are the basics? You might have your own list, but I would suggest

at least the following:

 

1. Personal Integrity: Socrates recommended, " Know thyself " and

Shakespeare added, " to thine own self be true. " Knowing who we are,

what we value and making sure that our words and actions match is

fundamental. Doing unfulfilling work or living in an environment that

doesn't suit us will surely undermine our long-term success. Too many

of us live " lives of quiet desperation " and that is NOT a foundation

on which to build a life!

 

2. Clear Thinking: Many of us grew up in the " feel good " generation

and we are confused about the role of thought (education, planning,

skills and tools) verses emotion. We let our hopes, wishes, fears, or

" hang-ups " run our lives. High achievers take time to think clearly,

seek expert advice, plan wisely, and learn from the mistakes of

others. The Old Testament says that " wisdom comes from a multitude of

advisers. " Some strategies just work better than others. Buildings are

always designed and " blueprinted " in advance. Our lives should be

designed just as carefully.

 

3. Unfailing Optimism: This is not shallow " positive thinking " , but a

clear-headed, conscious faith in the future and in your own potential.

" Where there is a will, there is a way, " or as Hannibal said over 2000

years ago, " We will find a way, or make one. " High achievers believe

in their skills, in their plans, and in their futures. They forge

ahead with confidence built on integrity and careful planning.

 

4. Hard Work: Ben Franklin observed, " Early to bed, early to rise

makes a man (or woman) healthy, wealthy and wise. " I've heard people

say achievement should be " effortless " and I agree that sometimes

enormous amounts of work can flow easily and quickly, but I also know

that creating a great life usually requires dedication, personal

discipline, attention to detail, and effort.

 

5. Patience and Persistence: A great life is rarely built in a day. It

takes time develop a life of one's own. There will be mistakes and

wrong turns along the way, and highly successful people are neither

surprised nor disheartened by this. They simply get a good night's

sleep and start again in the morning. They learn from their mistakes,

correct them, and move on with better skills and more effective

strategies.

 

There are more fundamentals than we have room for here, but they have

not changed, and there are no " new " fundamentals! Creating a great

life does not take extraordinary luck, unusual talent or skill.

Building a great life does, however, require that we follow the

" rules " that make life work out well. The fundamentals are not sexy or

exciting or sophisticated, but they are tried and true. Use them to

create the life you truly want.