Sunday, May 20, 2012

Five essentials of success

Child-like curiosity is desirable
There’s a much well-meaning advice on succeeding.
We can read about it, hear about it, learn about it.
But until we practice it, it’s just a lot of advice.
Business coach P.T. McClure prescribes these steps:

1. Know your purpose. It seems fundamental.
Have you taken on a task without a clear purpose?
Without knowing what you want to accomplish?
Purpose is one key to live a fulfilling life.
I stumbled into journalism because it looked exciting.
I did not think about its essential purpose.
That took years to figure out, slow learner that I am.

2. Be willing to change bad habits.
This usually takes a painful wake-up call.
I was addicted to tobacco for a dozen years.
Beating it, giving it up was stress-inducing.
I was difficult to live and work with.
My craving was so intense it jangled my nerves.
A friend with emphysema influenced my decision.
Keep smoking and end up with his condition.
Fear can be a strong motivator.

3. Be grateful for your life’s bounty.
Your family. Your friends. Your faith.
What your mistakes and failures have taught you.
My career pursuits dominated my thinking and my life.
I took my loving family for granted. Big mistake.
It took many years to see the error of my ways.
Be grateful for what you have while you have it.

4. Never stop learning. Be a lifelong learner.
There’s nothing wrong with child-like curiosity.
Albert Einstein advised us to be passionately curious.
We don’t know when our next epiphany may come.
Take notes. Keep a journal. Read good books.
Heard anyone say, “I don’t have time to read?”
How sad. Study. Make the most of life.
Even at my age I read constantly and learn.

5. Find a mentor. A half dozen are better.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
Many wise, experienced mentors helped me.
They showed me the way. Asked the right questions.
They encouraged me. Helped me solve problems.
My way of thanking them is to help others.
Be unselfish. Share your hard-won wisdom.

For more on this, read “Your Life’s Great Purpose”.
Great book, I modestly say. Email me for details.