Stress or Success?

Over the past 4 years, I have dedicated an undetermined amount of time studying the meaning of success. Five hundred interviews, a hundred books , a couple dozen seminars, and several trial and error projects have taught me a lot – but never come close to revealing what the true ‘secret of success’ is. And chasing the proverbial ‘success’ for many people can cause a great deal of stress.

If you were to search the internet or bookstore you might find book after book with the word success embedded in the title or subtitle – all penned by self proclaimed millionaires, billionaires or the truly rich and famous. I have read many of them. And one thing becomes very clear.

In all of these books it was clear - success meant something very different for each person. You might say that there is no such thing as success except for the meaning each individual puts on it.

And so it was eagerly that I awaited the stories of five attendees at a recent Roaring Women Dinner Meeting who were scheduled to speak about how they had become successful. I had asked each of them to tell their stories of success at a meeting – so that the ‘little secrets’ that exist within our peers could be revealed.

The result was absolutely amazing. Each one of the participants revealed the very same ‘secrets’ that I had heard from the billionaires and millionaires through books and seminars. And even more amazing – each of the stories we heard touched the listeners in the same way that the stories the billionaires speak of do.

So although I did not feel that much closer to the answer on how to achieve success - one principle became very, very clear to me. And although no one speaker really spoke about it – this principle was the key factor behind all their stories of personal success. Let me reveal it to you.

Never quit.Winston Churchill reportedly gave a two word speech with those very words. In another speech he also said:

“This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, neverundefinedin nothing, great or small, large or pettyundefinednever give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

My favorite quote of the same lesson is from Calvin Coolidge:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan \'Press On\' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

Here are a few more lessons each of the participants referred to – let’s call it our business baker’s dozen! In fact, as you read them, you will see that all of us have all the same information as the so-called experts do. The answers are already inside us.

1. Think Big
2. Be grateful
3. Be unique
4. Value your network
5. Have a vision to make a difference
6. Think from the end
7. Get good advice – get a coach – find a mentor
8. Believe in yourself and your purpose
9. If you do not fit – find your fit
10. Invest in yourself
11. Be willing to do the things other people will not
12. Drop the EGO
13. Follow your own advice - you know the answer inside – if you will only look and be honest with yourself

In short – success is defined by you – and will come only through persistence. So go ahead – keep moving forward. Don’t look over your shoulder. Find your goal – focus - and never, never, never quit.

"One of the keys to effective communication and dispute resolution is understanding ourselves and how we think and also understanding how others are wired as well. Each of us has personality styles that are unique to ourselves - however there are also patterns as well. When you understand the differing personality styles and their blends - you begin to see people as they are with more understanding! For more information on understanding personality styles please contact Mandie at president@roaringwomen.com."

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