“Success leaves clues!” – Tony Robbins
I love a good mystery! I love to read them as well as watch them. Especially English mysteries, no one can do murder like the English (that is a complement by the way). I love the challenge of trying to figure out who did it before the end. I must say that I am getting better the more I indulge in this little pleasure. I have also found that the pursuit of success is somewhat on the same order – without the dead body of course.
LOOK FOR SUCCESS
The question is often asked, “Why do some people succeed and some don’t?” Too often people look at the person who has not succeeded and try to find what they did wrong. That is not the way a Success-Minded Person should look at it. You should always look at those who are successful in your line of business or ministry and see what they do right.
DO WHAT THEY DO
Simple truth: If you want the results others get, do what others do to get them. Do not think that you have to find a new and better way; you need to do what works. Sometimes that leads to something new and better, but it starts by following the example others have set for you.
MISTAKEN THINKING
Two mistakes that people often make on the road to success in any field:
- They think that success is a matter of luck. It is like J. Paul Getty said, “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.” That is a nice thought but it is not that simple. Success is never a matter of luck but always a result of hard work. Andrew Carnegie said “The harder I work the luckier I get.”
- People too often think that to be successful you must be original. That you cannot follow the work or thoughts of others, you have to come up with your own ideas. Abraham Lincoln wrote, “Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren’t very new at all.” Even the great Mark Twain boldly stated “I have never had an original thought in my life.” We are always learning for each other. When it comes to achieving success there are established universal principles that work every time they are used. Learn them!
FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Seek out successful people you can learn from. You will find them in books, magazines, in business and ministry or any profession you wish to pursue. They can be living or dead, they can be teaching you face to face or through other media. The key to all this is not the successful person’s teaching but the Success-Minded Person’s desire to learn. Then once you have learned you put it into action. Head knowledge will do nothing but give you a head ache, you must do something. Pablo Picasso said “Action is the foundational key to all success.”
BE A DETECTIVE
Be a success detective in your chosen field. Seek out the clues that success always leaves. Ask good rich questions and be open to learn the answers. Take the action needed to move forward. And remember this: you too are leaving clues. Someone will be following your example so make it a good one. D.L. Moody said “A good example is far better than a good precept.” We all learn from each other.
© 2011 John Patrick Hickey
