The Deadliest Words Standing Between You And Your Success

Now, be honest with me here, when you get to the end of your life, how will you feel about the life you’ve been living?  Will you want to go back and make a new start? Will you have a few regrets or many regrets?  Think about it for a minute.

Good!

Now, instead of going back and regretting what has already happened (or not), I’d like to offer you a new canvas to paint a better picture of your life, going forward.

Everything that is, has ever been, and ever will be began with a thought.  Every achievement begins as a desire in the mind – a dream – a goal.  This, in a nutshell, means that your thoughts determine your life.  Change your thoughts and you will change your life.  Start by thinking about, and writing down, the things you want to be, have and do in your life.

And remember though, goals are nothing without action.  Action, also, can be cumbersome without a guiding plan. So you better plan your work carefully and then start working your plan.  What are the potential obstacles that could stand in your way? What do you need to do to overcome them? Who would be in a position to help you? Why would they want to help you – what’s in it for them? What kind of skills, habits do you have to develop to be in a position to achieve your greatest desires?

Action is the only way to make progress.  Do the deed.  Do something every day, no matter how small, to get to your objective.  Don’t negotiate with your lazy self.  Don’t stop – don’t settle for less than you deserve.

Be consistent in your actions and build supporting habits to push you forward.  When setbacks come for you, don’t give in.  Remind yourself of why you absolutely have to succeed.  Perseverance is extremely important to your success.  There is a deadly disease out there targeting wannabe achievers.  It is called “Excuse-itis”.  Beat it!

Remember, Rome was a great empire, but it wasn’t built in a day.  They had significant challenges to overcome in their conquest.  Your dreams of building your own empire are very possible.  Like Rome, they will not be built in a day.  This doesn’t mean you should stop hustling hard.  But the hustle sometimes requires patience.

Take baby steps, but don’t procrastinate.  At any given moment, ask yourself: what’s the one thing I can do right now to get me closer to my dreams?

In many cases, you will have to make decisions and take action based on limited and unverified information.  This may lead to countless errors and missteps don’t beat yourself up about it.  Such is life, sh*t happens!  Get over it – learn the lesson and keep moving forward.

Most people who fail don’t fail because they lack talent and skill.  They fail because they lack confidence.  Self-belief is a great equaliser.  Whether you believe you can or you believe you can’t, you actions will reflect that belief.  And the results you produce will be just as much a result of your belief as the actions that preceded them. Don’t be timid about going after what you want.  This is your life, put your best foot forward.

Courage and confidence are close cousins.  Courage is demonstrated when you overcome your fears and do what needs to be done to get the result you want.  Fear, on the other hand, or thinking you can’t, is a thief.  It will steal your dreams and, in later years, replace them with regret.  Thoughts like, “what if” & “if only” are symptoms of regret.  Don’t indulge these thoughts, they will hurt you.  Don’t go down the path of fear.  There is no joy in being tame and timid.  Be bold – be brave – be courageous.

Fear, or thinking you can’t, stems from worry.  The thing I hate about worry is that it robs you of the present.  You are unable to live in the present because you are stressing about some future event that may not even happen.  Don’t indulge in worrisome thoughts.  Worry will destroy your dreams in a hurry.

Success is often the outcome of trial and error.  You will never get anywhere if you are not moving.  People will talk.  Let them have their say.  In the end, what matters is what you do – not what you hear.  The world only remembers the person who had the apples to pursue his ideas, not the timid soul who had a better idea but took it with him to the grave.

When your time comes, you will suffer from the pain of regret for the things you didn’t do, or enjoy the exhilaration of the ride you had to endure to turn your dreams into reality.  You can start today to exercise discipline and become the person you intend to be.  History celebrates the mastermind who not only dreams, but who also has the gall to make his dreams come true.

Change is not an enemy, change signifies progress. Adapt to the times.  Evolve your ideas to meet current demands.  Constantly innovate to stay relevant.  Don’t let fear of the unknown ruin your opportunity to master your destiny.

It is all good and well to help others, but don’t let it be to your detriment.  We do things for one of two reasons:

1) Relief from pain

2) The pursuit of pleasure.

If the thing you must do brings you enduring pain or deprives you of pleasure for extended periods, it may be time to reconsider.

You are an important person.  Your dreams are important.  Don’t underestimate yourself.  Dream big and don’t give in to faulty temptation.  Claim what’s yours.  Grab life by the apples and enjoy the thrill of the adventure.