Motivation Information

Success: Its Really Pretty Simple


From the 'What You Need to Succeed' Series

Every once in awhile I stop and take a look at myself. No - I don't mean in the mirror, I mean - I do a self-assessment of how I am managing the issues in my life. Have I let some circumstance or some event persuade me to give up on one of my dreams? How hard did I try?

Ever hear the expression, "Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration?"

I'm here to tell you that it's true. If you want to succeed, one of the KEY things you absolutely MUST have is the determination and commitment to make sure you don't let anything stop you from achieving the success you are dreaming of and planning for (and yes - you need a plan!)

Whenever I run into an obstacle, hurdle, or challenge to my success my instinctive reaction is usually to visualize it as a huge stone blocking my path. I then visualize myself moving the stone, OR figuring out a way to get around it, over it, under it, or through it. What I always know about a hurdle is this: I can always find a way to get past it if I just look hard enough.

And when you really KNOW this (from experience), it gives you the confidence you need to succeed. So let me give you an example of how this has worked in MY life.

There was a time when I worked as an IT contractor. I was a borderline DEC computer geek, and I was able to breathe life into computers others had given up for dead, or resolve issues that others thought were hopeless. It wasn't because I was a genius - it was mostly because I was resourceful. I took notes on everything I learned the hard way over the years, and I created a notebook that I took with me everywhere I went. That notebook paid my salary on many projects. Plus, I also kept a list of who I could contact for help if I got stuck.

One day, I got a call for a short contract assignment. I seems that several folks in a big government agency were not able to get one of their DEC systems working properly. And it was causing problems because it was winter time and the computer was designed to measure the water flow in several major streams throughout my state. Flood control was almost non-existent with this computer down.

I will never forget this assignment because as I was unpacking my briefcase someone who worked in the facility came up to me, sneered skeptically and said, "five people have already tried their best to fix this thing and have given up on it - so what makes you think YOU can do any better?"

Clearly, he didn't expect me to succeed.

I was a little bit taken aback by his comment, but, I quickly retorted with "Yeah, well, that's because none of them were ME".

And that's how I began my work on this project. I mapped out my approach to how I planned to solve this problem, and figured out most of what was needed on my own. But when I hit a snag or two, I made a couple of support calls, and got in touch with someone who knew what I needed to resolve some of those challenges.

And within a couple of days, I was walking back out the door, mission accomplished. As I was leaving, I passed by Mr. Cheerful and stopped long enough to ask "OK, so now please tell me why I succeeded". I loved this part.

Stumped, he squinted and shrugged, saying "Geez, I dunno."

I said "It's because those other people gave up too soon and didn't plan to succeed," I smiled, pointing to and tapping on my notebook.

I have to admit I reveled a little bit in demolishing his expectation that I would fail just as my predecessors had.

This success, like many others I've had, served to reinforce what was already ingrained in me by then. The longer you stay with something, the more of an expert you'll become. The greater your expertise, the more likely you will solve problems and assure your success.

It's really pretty simple: Map out a path for your vision, find a way to always reference what you've already learned, work with others to provide support, and never give up.

(c) 2005 by Kevin Wirth - all rights reserved worldwide

Kevin Wirth is the owner of KEVS-KORNER ezine, a free online newsletter offering articles, tips, resources, and insight on over 170 different marketing tactics. He is bringing together a growing community where you can work with others to create and market products online. To discover more about how you can grow your online business with marketing tactics and get a free gift just for visiting, please head on over to http://www.kevs-korner.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

MMQB Mail: LT talks motivation and takes on Favre, Taylor, more
CNN International - 20 hours ago
AP I can't say I know LaDainian Tomlinson very well. We've spoken eight or 10 times over the years, and I've always found him forthcoming, passionate about ...


Southland Times

Personal experiences provide motivation
Southland Times, New Zealand - 19 hours ago
By NATHAN BURDON - The Southland Times | Thursday, 24 July 2008 Barry Cook won't have to look far for motivation when he steps into the ring at next month's ...


Ottawa Citizen

kayaker has plenty of motivation
Ottawa Citizen,  Canada - Jul 22, 2008
As it turns out, watching her national teammates hit the water in Athens was the last bit of motivation Fournel needed. Now, four years wiser at age 21, ...
Passions ignite over national team Globe and Mail
Field hockey players relish underdog role Niagara Falls Review
The easy choice Edmonton Sun
all 301 news articles


CBC.ca

Ferguson Gives Chelsea The Perfect Motivation!
Vitalfootball, UK - 20 hours ago
Isn't that a perfect motivational speech to inspire us to great things next season? Should it not be etched on the dressing room wall for every Chelsea ...
We will be good, we have to be, but I am not concerned about ... Daily Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson relishes task of improving Wayne Rooney at ... Telegraph.co.uk
Alex: I've been hard on Rooney The Sun
UK Express
all 447 news articles


Political motivation behind energy crisis
People's Daily Online, China - Jul 22, 2008
The soaring international oil price has sparked a dispute within the United States about whether the country should increase oil production. ...


Tech uses national rankings, attention as motivation for hard work
LubbockOnline.com, TX - Jul 22, 2008
We've used it as motivation. OK, we're ranked in the top 10; we've got to do our best.' Work hard, make sure we stay in the top 10 because you can lose your ...


Young Muslims find mission, motivation in '30'
Chicago Defender,  United States - 21 hours ago
DEARBORN, Mich.–They filled the cafe night after night. To the casual observer, it might have appeared to be a roomful of 20- somethings with enviable ...


Boston Globe

Beating sister is no longer Gay's motivation
guardian.co.uk, UK - Jul 21, 2008
"Getting a gold medal is my biggest motivation," Gay told reporters after his stunning but wind-assisted run of 9.68 seconds to win the 100 metres at the US ...
Tyson Gay and Liu Xiang face opposition in gold mission Bangkok Post
all 859 news articles


Uncover New Insights and Explore New Approaches to Leadership and ...
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
Management: Tidbits for the New Millennium is a revolutionary self-help manual on leadership, ethics, teamwork and motivation in the workplace, ...


Obese children 'need motivation'
BBC News, UK - Jul 21, 2008
A health trust in Bradford is encouraging parents of overweight children to try a new approach to help them lose weight. The weight loss course is the first ...

Motivation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006