Success

English: Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States. Latviešu: Abrahams Linkolns, sešpadsmitais ASV prezidents. Српски / Srpski: Абрахам Линколн, шеснаести председник Сједињених Америчких Држава. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today’s article is about what many people lived by, that eventually evolved into them becoming successful. Below is a brief outline of the things that these hungry and unstoppable people did to  achieve success.

1. They didn’t use excuses.

We all have two voices. There’s the voice that tells us to strive to work hard for what we want to accomplish,  Also to stay focused on the task at hand and to finish it before we move on to the next task.

We also have the voice that tells us to take a break, to think about other things besides what has to be done: for example watch TV, or to visit a site that we like to visit that entertaining (facebook).

In life from time to time we feel like a victim.  It could be a job or promotion that we thought deserved, but don’t ge itt.  No matter who we are, we’re going to be treated unfairly at some point in out life.  We can either feel sorry for ourselves, or use it as motivation.  There’s always something better around the corner.

Nelson Mandela could have used his unjust imprisonment as an excuse to give into his anger. Instead, he used it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and eventually free others.

Listen to your excuses. Understand why you have them. Then figure out how you can use them for good.

2. It wasn’t just about them.

‘Things’ can be a motivation, they can even be a reward, but they can’t be the motivator.  People’s success in life always get there because they made changes in the lives of others, not just their own. If there’s something that drives you, then we’re going to work harder, longer, and we’re going to give more of ourselves to our project.  Yes we can make money when we have the primary goal of making money in mind.  Some might even use that money for good – which is great.  But there’s no fulfillment in simply making money.  And isn’t that the point?

3. Early mornings and late nights.

People who have achieved true success in their lives have worked for it. This might come at the detriment of other areas in their lives, such as family or social life.  But their mission is first and foremost. Until the project is complete, everything else comes second.  There’s literally no substitute for hard work. Abraham Lincoln said, “Things may come to those who wait… but only the things left by those who hustle.” If you want to be successful, you’re going to have to out hustle everyone else.

4. The greatest commodity.

Energy is a huge commodity that is often not talked about. Yes, energy in the sense of fuel and electricity is talked about everywhere, but when it comes to our own energy levels.

The fact is that the more energy we have, the easier it is to focus, and the higher the quality of our work is done.

One of Richard Branson‘s ‘key’s to success’ is staying in great physical shape. So would raised energy levels be the greatest benefit to working out? It may be. Keeping physically fit gives us greater blood-flow to our brain, enhanced alertness and improved focus. Make training a routine part of your life and increase your chances at success – in every meaning of the word.

5. Principles.

History will be kind to me. For I intend to write it.

Winston Churchill had principles. The difference between him and the rest of us, is that he stuck to his principles at all costs. He didn’t waver when they weren’t popular – an extreme rarity in politics. What are your principles? All of us should have them, know what they are, and live our lives by them.

One of Apple’s principles is to bring change to the world through technology, and they do it with every product they release. Identify what principles you have that guide your life through tough times, obstacles and when things couldn’t be any better. They shouldn’t change,  neither should you.