In Part I of the The Secret to Success, we spoke about the first step which is decision. We touched on the motivating factors, the underlying motivations and we dubbed this the WHY. We then examined the different types of whys which then fell into two categories: Push Factors and Pull Factors.
Let’s start with a different angle of the video posted in Part I of The Secret to Success:
In this video, the narrator puts emphasis on your why which is inspiration and how strong it must be for you to thrive and excel.
We have already mentioned that the gravity of the motivating factor is in a sense proportionate to the potential for success. Now we have caught up, let’s continue.
Creating your Why
In other words, creating your pull factor.
The inherent thing that lights a fire inside you and makes you want to go forth, and act. What is that?
It is that feeling of excitement which makes the task at hand feel effortless. It galvanizes you into action spontaneously and it has a longer lifespan than motivation. There is a saying that goes: Where there is an abundance of motivation there is no need for discipline, but oh famous philosopher, what about inspiration?
In short, inspiration is pure and organic, but be this as it may we can nurture it. Here are a few tips on how:
- Take action. It may sound logical that we get inspired to act and then make a move, but it’s not really how it works. We need to act first and then as we progress we will be inspired by our actions. Take a walk on day one, and realize that it’s not that hard . By next week you will want to take a jog (if not sooner).
- Get out of your comfort zone: This will sharpen your senses and you will begin to use aspects of your consciousness that lay dormant. People rarely do great things when they are in their comfort zones. Here is a question:
- Keep a diary and document your progress: Write down your thoughts and ideas, and write from the heart – this is the one place you can be completely honest. Use this as a means to deal with those aspects of yourself that make you feel uneasy. This is a recipe for true growth. Also, did you know that journaling is considered a form of meditation?
- Change your environment: This is very effective. If you can go somewhere new perhaps take a holiday, change cities and do new things, you will feel new things.
- Slow down: Take the time to smell the roses, literally. Stop, breathe, look at your surroundings, and try (but not too hard) to see the good things in them.
These are but a few things you can do to inspire yourself.
Find your triggers
One of the big threats to your progression are dark moods. These are associated negative thought processes which will then lead to regression. The idea is to be aware of those things that cause you acute emotional discomfort. You will notice that when you are tired you are vulnerable, make sure you get enough rest – rest is fortification.
Some emotional triggers may come about due to:
- Instances of rejection by someone close or in social settings.
- The feeling of betrayal
- Exclusion
- Fear
- Disappointment
These triggers can lead to regressive behavior and /or impede progress.
Stay single-minded
Temptation follows distraction in short order. When you decide to take a course of action, you may need to extract yourself from the usual routines and environments. Environmental factors feed old habits :
If it’s drinking that you would like to cut back on, then you will have to stay out of bars and away from your drinking buddies who may influence you, or avoid the route via your favorite confectionery or fast food outlet if food is the issue, etc.
If you cannot extract yourself from your environment you will need to change your environment. For example: If it is a sedentary lifestyle you are trying to snap out of, find those impediments to your progress and eliminate them. It may be the couch, the TV, or the gaming console.
Whatever this challenge is in your life that you have decided to overcome, it needs to become a priority. It must take precedence over anything that can endanger it. Do not sacrifice your resolve to please your friends. If they are your friends, they will understand. If not, avoid them too until you are strong.
If life is about questions, here are the two questions that will simplify everything:
- What do you want from life?
- What are you willing to sacrifice to get it?
Goals | Threats to Success |
Weightloss | Shopping trips and outings to the mall Dining out Social life |
Building Relationships | Friends Social life (and all that comes with it) Career demands |
Career | Friends Social life (and all that comes with it) Relationship demands |
Building Wealth | Exorbitant lifestyle Social habits Lack of discipline |
Investing in Your Marriage | Social habits Friends Career demands |
The graph indicates that we cannot handle too much at once. For one area of our lives to flourish we may need to make concessions in other areas. The stated possible threats to our goals – like the examples in the above graph are necessary for a balanced life – but to beat a stubborn habit or achieve an elusive goal, we may need to make concessions in those areas.
Essentially, it boils down to this: How badly do you want to save your marriage (for example)?
Will you sacrifice your social life, cut away from your friends, or change your career?
Go hard!
Now that you are armed with the tools to make and fortify your decision – go hard!
Go about your new resolution with enthusiasm and the knowledge that while your new lease on life may help those around you, ultimately, it is for your benefit. Imagine your goal is a target that you are viewing through a sniper scope: Everything outside of that scope doesn’t matter. Pursue your goal with silent pride, and explain your endeavor minimally when you have to, but focus all your efforts on the action.
At this point, the most important thing in your life is your decision. Everything else is of penultimate importance – sideshows at best. Make no compromises because it’s the compromises that will compromise you, and then you will fail.
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