How To Always Win And Stay Successful In Life
What is the secret sauce to your success in life so far?
The title of this post certainly promises you alot. And rightfully so.
However, for some context, I'd like to tell you that I originally wrote this as a Whatsapp message to friends whilst on a flight a couple of years ago.
I was in deep reflection about life and was considering where I had come from and where I was heading.
Alot of life before this felt like I was on a boat bobbing up and down but with no clear destination.
I had seen failures and seen great successes and puzzled on what it really took to do life well and stay successful.
This post pre-dates the launch of The Humble Penny, and alot of the thinking below, which I typed as quickly as it came, fed into my desire to launch this blog.
For authenticity, I've left it unedited from the original, with my message on this occasion addressed to my closest male friends (in a WhatsApp group), although these could be applied by anyone.
One of them suggested I turn this into a blog post. So I've literally copied the WhatsApp message and pasted it below.
*******So here you have it*******
Dear brothers,
I write to you from 40,000 feet as I read and reflect much about life.
Having spent just over three decades on earth and seen life through different lenses, it excites me when I think about success and all life has to offer.
Tomorrow always seems a lot brighter than today.
Every day I feel I am on a journey of self-discovery and each day I get closer to understanding why some succeed/progress and some don't.
I continue to apply my learnings and leave my mind open to observe the outcomes and learn along the way.
Just as you have been through numerous life challenges as I have, I actually imagine the challenges thus far as a giant magnificent wave and we, through learned skill, are surfing on a board above this huge wave as it glides us to much success.
To this end, I want to write to you with some of my thoughts on how to succeed. Something I'd like us to apply and teach our nearest and dearest; and over time pass on to our children through our actions:
1. Prepare For Service
Think of someone you think is very successful.
When you dig really deep, what you will find is that they have a heart for serving others. The mind boggles when we try to apply this to our lives but it's a journey and orientates the mind and its desires in the right direction.
Those who give are also given. Serving also gives us humility and we want the best interests of others.
Hence, we attract even those not looking. We leave society better than we met it.
2. Work Towards The Best Version Of Yourself
Integrity is in short supply in society today.
Men of absolute integrity change the world around them. Imagine each day sticking to a handful of values you never give up on no matter what the world presents; being the same version of individuality with every crowd you rub shoulders with.
Imagine how different life would be if everyone knew exactly what you believed in, and you lived life as an outstanding man of honor.
With integrity and transparency comes much success.
3. Desire and Focus
Do you know what you desire or dream about? Are your desires truly yours?
Someone recently told me that a talent I possess is that of being focused. In a world of greater distractions, when last did you spend time in your own space and desired?
For me, I am doing it right now at 40,000 feet and interestingly what I desired the most was writing down my thoughts which you are reading.
Desire and Focus work beautifully together and soak up your brain power for great good. A useful acronym I learned from John Lee Dumas is to Follow One Course Until Success.
4. Faith
This is an unwavering belief that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.
For me personally, it is also a belief that as I take the first step, the grace of God anoints all that I touch.
Interestingly, faith comes before any plans are made (which means you have to have trusted and sought God first). And before faith comes a desire to want to achieve something.
The interesting thing about faith is that you have to believe you are doing the right thing.
You may not have the resources or ability to deliver on your goal, but faith is almost another way of calling into the physical what you desire and believe.
5. Persistence and Perseverance
This is where most lose the battle and where the fittest survive. It is where success is seen and the world believes you have superpowers after seeing your journey and hearing your story.
Persistence and perseverance is an active choice.
You decide each and every day in the midst of all the distractions and negative voices to carry on and close that which you began.
To sacrifice; win and celebrate; exceed expectations and go all out.
This to me is the stage of stages and often requires much creativity and innovation.
It is a culmination of many daily steps, which come together and produce a noticeable outcome.
You must persist and persevere to succeed.
6. Think Big And Stay Open Minded
I learned today that it takes the same amount of energy to think Big as it takes to think Small.
So why think small? Is it because of fear of the unknown? This is why we have the other ‘F' – Faith.
Where there is fear there should be faith. And where there is faith, there could be failure.
But where there is failure, there are success or success lessons learned from failing.
It is a Win-Win!
7. Be Individual
This is a particularly touchy one for me because I realised that with being individual comes a beautiful quality of boldness.
This means you can actually take a decision on your own steely conviction and back that decision whether it drives you to success or failure.
This individuality is a big part of what is missing in society today as everyone seems to want to be like everyone else at the risk of missing out on who they have been called to be.
8. Take Counsel
Nothing beats a group of individuals you can call on for selfless useful counsel.
These are the handful of people who will take a step into your world, put themselves in your shoes, listen and advise you as though their lives depended on it.
Where you don't have these individuals in your life, take the time to invest in playing that role for others and it will come to you.
Added to this, where needed seek independent counsel from professionals in the know.
9. Create The Right Associations
Can you count 5 people who you think are really successful? And why? Are you supported by these people?
I think taking a step way out of our day to day environments and meeting new people and new minds are incredibly necessary for success.
I personally find reading to be one of my most valuable tools as I feel I am purposefully tapping into the best minds and ideas.
Supporting organisations you have an interest in is also another way to create the right associations.
Related: 5 Reasons Why Reading Books Is The Most Powerful Life Hack Ever!
10. Know Your Why
This is where I venture into passion, purpose, mission etc.
Why do you get up each morning for work? And spend your energy getting to know others? And you do things, in the same way, each day?
Why do you pursue what you pursue? Why do you want a particular career? Or business?
I would add, and this is where it really matters –
If it isn't improving the lives of others, then it will likely not be a grand success.
Therefore, getting to a grand success starts with framing your why because it is what will continue to drive you when the road gets tough ahead.
11. Be The Gatekeeper
In all your succeeding, protect the asset (you and your family).
Success in anything we do is highly probable with the family unit kept intact.
Take the responsibility to look out for your loved ones and in the same capacity you will look out for others.
To conclude, I hope the above gets you to move to action, think of things differently, alter your behaviour and drive you and those you are blessed to be responsible for, to great success.
Finally, as you too learn to succeed, commit to teaching others too.
Related posts:
- The Secret Sauce For Winning
- 5 Reasons Why Self-care Is A Necessity And Not A Luxury
- The Importance Of A Deliberate Morning Routine
What has contributed to your success so far in life? Do please comment below.
Do please share this article if you found it useful, and remember, in all things be thankful and Seek Joy.
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