Success and Significance

by Judy Boyce - Apr 23, 2010

What is your definition of success? It will be different from everyone else around you. Some think success is fame, fortune, a big house, cars, or even education. None of which you can take with you when you are gone. What will you do when you reach success? What would your legacy be today? What do you want your legacy to be? What one thing do you need to do differently to get started?

Elephant Thinking

Self-Leadership and the One Minute Manager relates our thinking with an elephant’s. Here’s how. When an elephant is acquired, one leg is chained to keep it from getting away. Naturally, the elephant’s tendency is to try to escape. But every time it moves, it can only get so far until the chain stops it. Again and again, the elephant tries to get away, but and each time, the chain stops it. Eventually, the elephant stops trying to get away. At this point, the chain is removed because the elephant is now convinced that it cannot get away. There are times in our lives when we stop trying and just give up.

Change

Change happens. Who Moved My Cheese? is a story of four characters who handle change differently and the consequences they face. We are faced with change all the time, but most of the time we accept it without much resistance. But we also have to expect change and embrace it when it happens. That does not mean all change is good. It does mean we need to recognize it, challenge it when necessary, and be the first to accept it – especially if it is going to happen anyway. Change is an opportunity for you to help those around you who fear it, resist it, and deny it. A little change is easier to accept than a lot of change. Remember to implement change in smaller amounts over a period of time, and before you know it, you have made a big change.

Napoleon Hill wrote 17 Keys to Success. One key is maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). With PMA, you can get through any situation. Without it, you are headed for doubt and disappointment. YOU have the power to decide to listen to positive or negative self-talk. You listen to yourself more than anyone else. It is up to YOU. No one can do it for you.

Be Braver

When we try to do things that are way outside our comfort zone, it is easier to not do them at all. But if we commit to being a little braver today, it is not so hard. Then be a little braver each day. Pretty soon, you will be a lot braver and further outside of your comfort zone than you imagined. You may not even realize how far you’ve gotten until you look back to where you started. Make the commitment to be a little braver to day…5% braver. What would you do today if you were a little braver? Would you phone a friend? Would you introduce yourself to someone you’ve wanted to meet? What would you do?

Feedback and Feed Forward

When you see and/or hear a presentation, be the one who not only gives what didn’t work but also gives the solutions on how to be better the next time. If someone gives you feedback, get in the habit of asking them how you can do better next time. Helping others be successful is all around us if we seize the opportunities.

The Present is Perfect

Right here, right now is all we have. We cannot change what has happened to us in the past. Recognize that you are the person you are today because of the life you have lived so far. Accept accountability for your life – where you are and where you want to go. Change your future through the decisions you make today.

Effective or Efficient

Efficient is doing things right. Effective is doing the right things. So if you are following all the rules, and not getting the results you want, stop and evaluate whether you are doing the “right” things. The goal is to be both efficient and effective, but if you have to be one, be effective.

“Every day counts towards tomorrow.” Be Intentional!