A couple days ago I was listening to a CD by one of the most successful speakers in the industry. He has been around for many years and is considered one of the greats. He is also considered to be somewhat off the beaten path. As much as he is admired and respected by many, he is judged by just as many. The segment I found most intriguing was one about how others often say to him, "I would give anything to be a successful speaker and author just like you."
His response is, "No you wouldn't. What you want is the end result, but you're probably not willing to do what it takes to achieve the level of success I have achieved." Arrogant? Maybe. Harsh? Perhaps. Truthful? Most definitely.
Anyone who has achieved a relatively high level of success in their industry has probably had the same statement directed to them. "I would give anything to be a successful ________ just like you."
Truth be told, achieving a level of success others will want to emulate is something most people are not willing to make the necessary sacrifices for. Sure, they want the end result, but are they willing to step out from the crowd and do what it takes to achieve their dream? Are they willing to go through the inevitable ups and downs?
Over the years I've had the opportunity to work with some pretty incredible people. Folks who have achieved more than most could only dream of. Individuals who others will look at and think, "I would be willing to do anything to achieve that level of success."
Sadly, that is about as far as many people get with their desire to accomplish what they want out of life. They talk about it, but don't do what is necessary to achieve it. I'm not referring simply to monetary success. I am referring to contribution to community, personal success, physical success, or virtually anything that would signify a complete life.
In last month's column I mentioned the book I am co-authoring. Why Be Different? Success Secrets for Selling the Unsellable is a book about how one can set themselves apart from the competition in such a way that they literally become leaders in their industry. Much of the book will be based on interviews conducted with people from a variety of industries such as real estate, healthcare, accounting, hospitality and more. Being a leader doesn't necessarily mean you are the biggest. It means that you are the one others look to when determining standards of success within an industry.
As I have been gathering information, what I find interesting is some of the similarities with the people we are featuring in the book. Each person has been through some incredible ups and downs on their road to success. Each has gone through experiences that would make someone else quickly throw in the towel. They didn't let the roadblocks stop them; they just kept moving forward in order to reach their goals.
What I find most intriguing is their powerful belief in having a vision of what is possible. All are also very flexible in their approach to life. They knew what they wanted to achieve and if one thing didn't work they tried something else. If that didn't work, they tried yet something else. They kept at it until they achieved their goals. The words "no" and "can't" are almost nonexistent in their vocabulary.
Also evident is their generosity to their community and their clients. Rather than putting a price tag on everything, they often make contributions without expecting anything in return. They do it because it makes others feel good and it is simply the right thing to do.
With each person, a love of what they are doing is essential. Although they work very hard, they have such an incredible passion for what they are doing that when the tough times hit, they are virtually unstoppable. People who are not incredibly passionate about what they are doing give up when they are presented with roadblocks to their success.
Don't just be another person saying, "I'd do anything?" Keep your vision, your passion and jump over your roadblocks.
Copyright: ? 2004 by Kathleen Gage
Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your web site, or in your print publication provided you include The resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.
About The Author
Kathleen Gage is a business advisor, keynote speaker, and trainer that helps others gain dominance and visibility within their market. Call 801.619.1514 or e-Mail kathleen@turningpointpresents.com . Get Gage's FREE 4 day online marketing course by visiting kathleen@turningpointpresents.com .
scheduled maid service Northbrook ..Want more success in your business or professional life? Here's... Read More
Our brain is a marvelous creation. It receive and transmit... Read More
Not so long ago, I impressed the daylights out of... Read More
How's the weather there?We use small talk to connect with... Read More
We're all adults, and most of us probably like to... Read More
For our family, the Fall is filled with Friday Night... Read More
If you want to be rich and famous, you have... Read More
Success isn't all that it's cracked up to be... I'm... Read More
Everybody suffers rejection at some time or another in their... Read More
A More Effective WayI own a stack of self improvement... Read More
"You will be the same person in five years except... Read More
What do Sam Walton, Ray Kroc, Hilton, Marriot, Firestone, Elvis... Read More
Asking questions is one of the most basic ways that... Read More
Coaching is about living great lives. It's about living lives... Read More
Recently, I was asked to write a Top 10 list... Read More
Business knowledge and skills are not the only keys to... Read More
A number of years ago, I had the rather unique... Read More
One of the most overlooked opportunities for learning and personal... Read More
When you hear the words "abundance" and "prosperity", what immediately... Read More
Get ready to sail the Seven C's - the Seven... Read More
You've tried and failed. You've watched others fall. You're wiped... Read More
The Definition Of PerseveranceFrom a dictionary: "Persisting in or remaining... Read More
Fear.Everything in this world has its opposite.Good has bad.Optimism has... Read More
What is an ANT? An ANT is an acronym for... Read More
We must never allow a day to pass without finding... Read More
reliable maid service Highland Park ..Hey Future Millionaire,There's so much value in reading about the... Read More
Have a therapeutic meltdown It's crunch time: you're two days... Read More
It goes without saying that we are unlikely to experience... Read More
Find a higher reason to reach your goal than just... Read More
I was talking about my business to a stranger the... Read More
I'll let you in on a little secret...life delivers pretty... Read More
The starting point of all great success and achievement is... Read More
A company entitled "Made for Success" begs the question: Just... Read More
Consider what it takes to become an undeniable success with... Read More
If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More
Your mind is the only tool that can create success... Read More
"If you can tell the world who you are and... Read More
Of all the things that can have an effect on... Read More
Imagine being firmly committed to your deepest ambitions. Imagine feeling... Read More
Are you successful? What does that word mean to you?... Read More
Everyone wants to be successful. However, many people often rely... Read More
Effective listening is almost certainly the most important communication skill,... Read More
If you are sick and tired of the dreaming phase... Read More
Understand and apply this one secret to your own life,... Read More
Choose a personal theme song and soundtrack that stirs you... Read More
Challenges posed by recent economic and market shifts, though predicted... Read More
Nicholas Darvas, escaping his war-torn homeland, Hungary, sought refuge in... Read More
Something's missing! As a Hispanic in this great country, I... Read More
Revolution:a sudden, radical, or complete change a fundamental change in... Read More
Get ready to sail the Seven C's - the Seven... Read More
Success |