Success is not for those who need it, it's for those who want it, obsess about it, plan for it, and ultimately take it.
“ Wishing will not bring riches. But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence which does not recognize failure, will bring riches. ” - Napoleon Hill
What does it take to be successful? So many people lay stagnant in a long term, income-limiting job, otherwise known as, "Just-Over-Broke", and find themselves balking enviously at the one percent; "they are just lucky", "it's all in who you know", "they were in the right place at the right time", "they'll eventually fail". Statements and commiserations of the settled, the fail once and runs, and non-believers. The facts are simple when taking a broad overview of successful people. Success does not fall in your lap. Success has a price; blood, sweat, and tears. But I promise, the price of being broke, living broke, thinking broke, retiring broke is far steeper.
There is a way out
Your problems and successes center in your mind. Really ponder this; when was the last time you won? What did it feel like before, during, after? What were you thinking about throughout the processes of winning? Winning what...anything. A board-game, video game, crossword, A SALE, a sporting event...ANYTHING...WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??? I don't know, but I'll tell you what I think and how I think when it comes to the topic of winning a game, a sport, A PROSPECT, a conversation. It's very simple: It starts with A DESIRE TO WIN. PERIOD. Nobody tells me I should win, and if they do, well then, the seed was planted in a different mind and therefore... WHO CARES!!! In order to win, the fundamental first step is WANTING to win, WANTING to succeed. The second step is harder; Believing you can win. You see, the human mind has proven, time and time again, If you want it, and you believe you will have it, then you will. So, what do I think before I win? "I want this win. I'm going to crush this thing standing in my way. I will win." Easy!...or...easy? The choice is yours.
Ok, now I want it! That was easy! But wait, there's more!
Desire and belief are foundational tools only successful when paired with committed action. It isn't enough to just want something, need something, obsess about something. You have to GET that something with hard work and determination. I failed two other companies before landing Morgan Fidelity Associates' success. Those two failed companies were the greatest thing that I could have experienced in my career in sales.
Lessons learned:
1. Business owners don't work less, they work the most.
2. 40 hours per week is for the birds. 12 hour work days minimum, in the first year of business.
3. Integrity brings good karma!
4. Failure is not losing the fight, it's quitting the fight.
5. Work smart AND hard. It increases your chances of success.
6. Have a mentor.
7. Listen to your mentor.
8. Become an eternal student. (He who knows everything, knows nothing; He who knows nothing, knows everything.)
9. GO ALL IN and RISK IT ALL!!! Back yourself into a corner and find out what you're really made of! If it's not hard and it doesn't freak you out, it's probably not that lucrative.
10. Keep going, even when it hurts.
Thats two cents from a ditch digger turned entrepreneur. I thought my way to the top, then I worked my way to the top, then I realized there was a hell of a lot more to go.