The cap is where you place it. Achievement is one of those things that starts and ends with you. You determine how far you go in life. You set the bar. You decide how you will run and if you'll finish strong. We don't measure triumph and victory by the size of job. Triumph is triumph. Victory is victory.
Success, or the lack of it, is the result of the individual’s attitude—positive or negative. If you want to be a winner don't offer excuses and don’t blame others. Mistakes are made; miscalculations result in errors and losses; unforeseen forces thwart the best efforts. But, you are the quarterback of your life. You call the signals and you must execute the play. Sometimes things don’t go your way and it is easy to pass the buck. But, as former American President, Harry S. Truman was oft to say, “The buck stops here.”
There is a wonderful old Scandinavian saying, “The north wind made the Vikings.” I believe it is the struggle that produces achievers. At some point in their life, achievers discover a great insight about success: It’s not in the achievement that we win. It is in the struggle that we achieve. And like countless thousands before us, we most hold on until we achieve.
I have experienced achievers know living their life as usual is not an option. All around us are reminders of organizations and people who are living in the past and on games that were won or lost months or even years ago. Historical wins or loses are just that, history.
Achievers take responsibility for failures. In doing so, they learn from their mistakes and missteps. Failure doesn't have to fatal. Out of the ashes of defeat can come renewal and new opportunity.
Experience proves that people can learn more from failure than success if they analyze the failure, find what went wrong, and take appropriate corrective action. From ancient times this rebirth or renewal after misfortune has been liken to the rise of the Phoenix, the mythological bird that is destroyed by fire only to arise to live again
Motivation is when you take the second, third and fourth steps. While "marching in place" is an Army thing, it isn't moving you toward your goal. Merely having a goal is not in itself motivating. To accomplish your goal, you have to maintain momentum and initiative— you must execute. People often forget that success is measured by achieving goals, not measuring the action steps. Though, it is the action steps that move us closer and closer to our goal.
It is good to guard against premature celebration. Many runners have failed to win their race because they began to "coast" with the finish line in sight. My high school track coach used to say, "Run through the tape." He meant slow down only after you have crossed the finish line.
I witness too many people who are only intent on winning. The real test of intent is whether it produces action. Hope is only intent; not an actionable step. The intent of successful people is to achieve their goals. What action(s) are you taking today to ensure you achieve your goals?
Today, start your journey to success. From this day forward, refuse to waste an ounce of energy or a moment of time on anything that doesn't move you toward your goal. St. Vincent Pallotti's provided excellent counsel when he said, "Let there be few words and many deeds, and may they be done well."
Success with happiness is the result of hard work, not luck. Luck favors the persistent. On occasion, a person achieves success without hard work. In this accidental success, people usually fail to find happiness. The achievement is hollow and lacks authenticity. Anything easily achieved is temporal and provides little lasting satisfaction. Therefore, set the bar high and invest your time, energy, and capabilities in the activities that lead to goal achievement.
HOG THOUGHT: Triumph and victory doesn't always go to the most deserving. But success and winning always go to the most serving. We should heed of the words of Victor Kiam, “You can only govern men by serving them. The rule is without exception.” Let each day be a day of renewal—a new learning experience. Never stop learning or serving.
HOG QUOTE: "Success typically comes with work. But, too many people quit looking for work once they have found a job." — author unknown
HOG ACTION: In whatever you are engaged, focus on the difference you can make.
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