Google dictionary defines principle as a “fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.” People apply a variety of principles to enhance outcomes or solve problems in everyday life situations. By so doing, the results are predictable.
Ask any leader in the world, and they will tell you they work with a set of principles, call them rules, that keep them moving forward. These principles nudge them to achieve success, and once that milestone is achieved, they know it is the beginning of yet another journey.
Take Aliko Dangote, the African billionaire for example; he continues to advance his goals every time he achieves the previous ones.
Today, I will discuss eight success principles that will make your journey towards victory an easier incident. The principles are timeless; they have worked for other people in the past, and they will work for others in years to come. And they can work for you if you choose to employ them. Success is not as a result of good luck, at least for many people. Success comes from the appropriate application of principles.
With that discussion put to rest, here are eight principles that should work for you too.
Get Ready
Preparation for success is the best principle that one can employ. An individual should create their opportunity and exploit it. Normally, successful people spend a couple of years preparing for their breakthrough; immersing themselves into hard work. When the community sees their success, they hardly notice the hard work they put behind it.
Paul Bryant acknowledges that “it’s not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.” Even Dangote has a few words about preparation and hard work: “The problem with some of our younger generation today is they just want to jump and get up there overnight. It doesn’t really happen.”
Go to work
Once you are prepared psychologically and physically, it is time to get to work
“The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today's work superbly well.” -William Osler
The best way to achieve a goal is to get into action. If you don’t start acting today, it means you are only a procrastinator, which is not only a discourager but a killer of dreams.
Move in the right direction
Even as you get to work, ensure that you have the right information about what will get you to the goal post. This will help you to move in the right direction.
“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must. But take the step.”- Anonymous.
If you are moving in the right direction, the speed does not matter; you will eventually get to your destination. And the ‘bumps’ along the way will be worth it then. Do not be weary, or discouraged by the delays, it is only a matter of time. Keep the candles burning!
Dream and put actions into the dream
Nelson Mandela in his fight to liberate South Africa said: “If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal…”
For your sake, replace South Africa with your vision, and you will have a dream and actions leading to its achievement.
What you dream is as important as the actions that you take to transform it into a reality.
Develop a strategic action plan that will drive your dreams into success.
Think big and ahead
Gary Keller says; “don’t let small thinking cut your life downsize. Think big, aim high, act boldly. And see just how big you can blow up your life.”
When you set your goals high, you are bound to work even harder to achieve them. On the other hand, low goals do not push you to do much in life. Expand your thinking and you will expand your life. While at it, also be sure to think ahead as what was working yesterday, will probably not work as good today. Embrace change to fit the dynamism in the world.
However, be cautious of over-expanding, Dangote warns. Over-expanding can become a crisis rather than an opportunity.
Grow
Life is about growth. According to Albert Einstein, “intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” Endeavor to grow at every life’s step and stage.
The seeming impossibilities are only as such until one tackles them. These challenges help you to employ every known and unknown rule to handle them. They make you stronger and better.
“Don’t go throw life, grow through life,” Eric Butterworth says.
Be Determined
Make up your mind to succeed. By commanding your mind that you need to succeed, your whole body will be directed towards that goal. Determination helps one to remain focused on the goal.
“Life is not a continuum of pleasant choices, but of inevitable problems that call for strength, determination, and hard work.”- Indian proverb
According to Denis Waitley, “determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you.”
Support Others
In life’s journey, you need to support others. By so doing, you not only give back to the society but also build bridges to your next milestone.
Support others. Cheer and encourage them.
Audrey Hepburn believes that “…you have two hands, one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.”
As you make a decision to change your life, identify some principles that will guide you to the right path, and eventually cause you success.
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