Motivate, plan and work hard to be successful

IN A competitive, aggressive, and demanding business environment, it is important to prepare yourself as early as possible to achieve your goals. A huge part of being able to accomplish anything is the belief in yourself and your dreams, thus positioning yourself for success. With a clear goal, a plan, passion, hard work, and commitment, you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

At times, our minds can be our own worst enemy. We cripple our own progress by entertaining negativity or surrounding ourselves with negative people and waste our time. There is a fair amount of truth in the saying, “Misery likes its own company”. Have you ever had a conversation with a person who is just consumed by negativity about life, work, people, religion, etc, who just drains your energy and makes you feel depressed? In contrast, you spend time with someone who is optimistic, positive, and pleasant who makes you feel inspired and want to do something? Who would you want to be around?

Choose the people you keep close to you carefully as they will directly, or indirectly, influence your actions and views. You owe it to yourself to have the best opportunity to achieve success and live a wholesome life that offers personal fulfilment. Life can be hard, but when you think your world is difficult, just take the time to listen to people around you. Watch the news or do some research online about the struggles many are faced with. Then you will realise how fortunate and blessed you are. Intentionally find things to be thankful for each day.

There is a story of a man complaining about how far he had to walk to the store and how his legs hurt. A man with no legs heard him and commented: “I’d love to have your legs since they are such a bother to you.” The man saw the other man’s condition and realised that walking was actually more of an opportunity than a burden.

Also; try not to wish for what others have as you don’t know what they had to go through to get there. Rather, pray for what is best for you, the strength, knowledge and guidance to do it, and what will give you the best opportunity to achieve success.

Another part of being able to accomplish our goals and achieve happiness is to focus on what is ultimately important; what is beneficial; what contributes to your growth and helps you to lead a good life that can inspire others and contribute to a positive legacy.

Always remember those who helped you on your journey and be careful about burning bridges as you never know when you may have to cross them again.

BE HUMBLE

Life presents all kinds of ups and downs, so remain humble. Investing in and taking care of relationships you value is very important. Karma is very powerful – what goes around comes around.

Not one of us is perfect, so learn to listen without judgement and not allow your insecurities, fears, or ego to drive your decisions. Instead, try to make good decisions by being properly informed about factors related to the decision. Seek advice from those with experience and a good track record and who are in the position you are trying to get to.

I believe no meeting is by chance, but rather by design, so it’s important to not take people for granted as we are all connected in some way or form, which time eventually reveals. Learn as much as you can; try new things.

Learn from your own mistakes and those of others as this is a huge way to continue your development. You will make mistakes. Just try to avoid making repeated ones. Take personal responsibility to do it right the first time so that you don’t have to do it repeatedly.

Remain committed to your growth and development. Invest in yourself and be flexible as life may present other opportunities that are not always in alignment with what you have studied or have been doing for a long time. Opportunities are always around us if we are open to them and are willing to step out of our comfort zone. Be open to trying new things as long as they don’t compromise your values and principles. One meeting with someone or an experience can lead you in a completely different direction or build on skill sets you already have.

Remain focused on your goal, yet enjoy and embrace the journey as there is much to be learnt on the way there. Be humble enough to know that you won’t know everything this life has to teach you. God blessed you with the ability to learn and grow even if it’s in an unfamiliar way.

Every day is an opportunity to learn and be better than the day before. Be patient. Never think you will learn everything overnight as with experience comes great knowledge, so learn from your elders or those who have done it before. Together we can accomplish far more than standing apart.