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What's the Real Secret of Successful People?
By Catherine Palin-Brinkworth
Have you ever wondered how some people become successful? You know
the ones I mean. Lacking all the expected attributes of a winner, often
with far more obstacles to overcome than you and I, they become rich and
famous, or at least, impressive. And you sit there and wonder what's wrong
with you? Why aren't you up there too? How come this individual seems to
have it made? You seem to have more talent, more intelligence, more potential,
and it's just not happening.
Persistence is not enough
Motivational speakers often quote Calvin Coolidge: Nothing can take
the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than
unsuccessful men with talent...etc. etc. Calvin, I'm sorry. I'm afraid
I have serious doubts about this. In my experience, persistence can often
create nothing but a sore head when you're banging it up against the wrong
wall-or just banging it against any wall, come to think of it.
The real barrier
If you have the same level of energy, skill, discipline and will
as the other guy -and you're not as successful-it isn't persistence that
is holding you back. It's really your Glass Cage™.
People often use the term 'glass ceiling' to describe the limits
or barriers that are imposed by others-if someone else is doing this to
you, and they stop, you will be free. Mmm ... true, in some cases. In other
cases, the barrier is not just a ceiling. It's a cage. It has four walls
and a floor, as well. It surrounds us and encloses us totally, for our
entire lives. And it's not put there by anyone else. It's custom designed
and developed by us.
What to do about it
If you don't have the same level of energy, skill, discipline and
will as the successful people, you can do something about it. Those bits
are easy. Energy comes from a body in motion, not a body at rest. So, to
create energy, just do something. Anything really-it doesn't have to be
brilliant or perfect. It just has to be activity that is directed towards
the outcome you are seeking. For instance, if you want more business in
the door, pick up the phone and ring someone. (If you want to know what
to say when they answer, call me).
Delight in achievements
Energy is most effective when it's focussed, of course, and it feels
best when it's positive.
Someone reminded me recently to simply delight in the achievement
of every moment; that certainly felt good and seemed to create a whole
lot more energy almost instantly. Try it, and let me know what happens
for you!
Skill can easily be developed by acquiring new, how-to information,
and then doing some practice. So, there's an idea …do some experiential
learning and enhance your current abilities. Remembering that know-how
is no good unless it becomes do-how. Information doesn't actually become
knowledge until we use it and discover the effects.
Discipline develops dreams
Discipline, is a word that I'm a little uncomfortable with, I must
confess! But I do know that when I apply it, miracles can happen.
For me it means making small commitments and requiring myself to
keep them. Keeping commitments to others is not an issue-it's essential.
Keeping them to myself however, is the tough call. Will-the inner drive-is
very often the missing link.
My mentor, John Nevin, used to say: "You gottawanna". If the will
isn't there, all of the skill in the world is useless. Check in on your
will to succeed. Do you really wanna?
I have a theory that we always do actually get what we want; our
real goals are shining back at us from our outcomes.
For instance - I want to be pencil slim, lean and lithe.
Really? If I really did, I would be. There's a part of me that likes
the curves and the cappuccino ice cream, enough to want to keep them in
my life. The pencil slim business is just a vague notion of the ideal,
not the outcome I actually choose-at least for now.
Want to be Numero Uno in your company? Really? Are you seriously
willing to do what is required? Have you done it? Because that's the only
genuine proof of will, don't you think?
Or is it time you found out what's really in your Glass Cage™?
About the author: Catherine Palin-Brinkworth is an international
presenter, consultant and author on business and personal success strategies.
She holds a Masters Degree in Social Ecology and is a Certified NLP Practitioner.
A powerful, inspirational presenter with practical and proven success
skills and strategies, Catherine is in constant demand as a keynote speaker.
Her web site is www.catherinepalinbrinkworth.com
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