The Well-known Secret

The buzz word in today’s world is ‘successful’, be it in sports, entertainment, academics or business. The criterion to achieve success is no longer a referring point but for most people what matters is only success. Most parents and teachers value success in terms of percentage of marks students receive in their exams. A businessman’s success is rated in terms of the profit he makes at the end of the financial year. In sports it is the number of wins that matters at any cost, even using unfair means and tactics. “Success without honour is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won’t taste good,” says Joe Paterno. And we have the example of test match between India and Australia in Sydney more than four years ago where Ricky Ponting with his team had played without any regard for truth and integrity with the sole aim of equalling Steve Waugh’s record of 16 consecutive test match wins.

But are all these so called “successful” persons really successful in life? At the end of the day can they really say with sincerity and audacity that they are happy and content? Poised, articulate and gloriously talented Marion Jones was a media sensation on her first tour of Europe in 1997. She became the first woman to win five track and field medals in a single Olympics at the 2000 Sydney Games. But last year she admitted to using performance enhancing drugs and subsequently the International Olympic Committee officially stripped her of her five Sydney medals. On January 11, 2008 she was sentenced to six months in prison for lying to federal prosecutors about her steroid use.

What is success? I think it is something that differs from person to person. What is success to me may not be a matter of success for someone else. If so, how should I define success? Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy goal. I thoroughly believe that winners don’t do different things, but do things differently. Enthusiasm for your work and the discipline to do it is inseparable for great success in your life.

Apparently success looks like a simple thing. But to be successful a lot needs to be done. It is important to discover what matters to you most. Secondly, don’t base your choices on others’ approval. Of course, we need to consult and ask others’ opinions to reach the right course of action. But don’t ever let your actions be based on others’ approval. Such an attitude would lead only to lethargy in the long run reaching nowhere. Let your mind be clear as to what you want to achieve in life. Your mindset is the secret to success in everything — joy, health, money, relationships, love, happiness… everything you ever wanted.

The great secret of success is self-discipline i.e., getting yourself to do what you really need to do. Choosing to do what you feel right will bring about the outcome you want. It will bring order and efficiency into your life. “Without goals and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination,” says F. Dodson.

So make your plans and be persistent in whatever you have set your minds to do. Persistence is the quality of never giving up when we encounter challenges, of holding on to your dreams and of refusing to be discouraged no matter what happens. Learn to accept your mistakes but do not repeat the same mistakes. Years ago in Illinois, a young man with six months’ schooling to his credit ran for office in the legislature; he was beaten. Next, he entered business but failed at that too, and spent the next 17 years paying off the debts of his worthless partner. He fell in love with a charming lady and got engaged, but she died. He had a nervous breakdown. He ran for Congress and was defeated. He tried to obtain an appointment to the U.S. Land Office, but didn’t succeed. He became a candidate for the Vice-presidency and lost. Two years later he was defeated for Senator. He ran for Presidency and was elected. That man is America’s most revered President, Abraham Lincoln!

It took Winston Churchill three years to get through eighth grade, because he couldn’t pass English, of all things! Ironically, he was asked years later to give the commencement address at Oxford University. His now famous speech consisted of only three words: “Never give up!”

Dream big, believe in yourself, and know what you are doing. It is important to be successful, but with integrity and honesty. That makes your success a matter to be relished and an encouraging one both for yourself and for others.