There are three practices that lead to success. Okay, probably more than three. But I think these three are really important. And yes, I know. We all define success differently. And we’re all pursuing different endeavors of success.
Perhaps it’s getting in shape, earning a degree, career advancement, or simply accumulating wealth.
For me, as a Christ-follower, my relationship with God is important. But even that doesn’t just happen. Like other relationships, it requires a commitment and investment of time.
Whatever the endeavor—whether it’s cultivating your spiritual relationship with God, advancing in your career, or losing weight, these three practices will drive you towards success.
Practice Self-Discipline For Success
Once you know what you’re trying to accomplish and the path to get there you have to stay on that path.
Consistently. Regularly. Habitually.
Feelings are not your friend in achieving success. But self-discipline is. Feelings will try to dissuade you from your endeavor. Because they seek pleasure and comfort. “Oh, come on,” they’ll say. “You can skip this one time. You just don’t feel like it today.”
In my own life, I maintain a daily, work-out schedule. If I let my feelings rule, I’d stay at home and drink coffee half the time. So I don’t. Let them rule, that is.
Self-discipline engages your will over your feelings. Because, whatever the endeavor, success requires putting in the work.
This means developing routines and habits that move you the direction you want to go. And sticking with them. Because success rarely happens overnight. It requires time and effort.
Practice Making One-Time Decisions For Success
A powerful companion to maintaining self-discipline is learning to make one-time decisions.
Tell me. When you get up in the morning do you spend any time deciding whether or not you will go to work?
Of course not. You have to go to work…to earn a living…to pay your bills. A decision to go to work doesn’t even cross your mind. Unless you’re sick or have other extenuating circumstance. Why? Because you already made the decision that you will go to work. And you only had to make that decision once.
So what if you employed this one-time decision technique to other areas of your life? And the answer is, you can. Probably in more areas than you think.
And when it’s dark, cold and snowy outside and your feelings whine, “I don’t feel like exercising today,” you simply respond, “Sorry, I already made that decision. I’m going.” (I’m assuming, like me you live in the Midwest where it is currently winter. Please don’t say anything if you live in a warm, tropical climate because I hate you.)
Practice Persistence For Success
There are stories of people who win the lottery and are instantly rich. Or write their first novel and it’s an immediate best seller.
But for most of us, we try and fail multiple times. Practice, practice and practice. Pay our dues. We hang in there and keep trying until, finally we gain positive results.
Did you know?
- Stephen King’s highly successful book, Carrie, was rejected by 30 publishers.
- Thomas Edison’s teachers told him he was too stupid to learn anything.
- Colonel Sanders was 62, when he pitched his chicken recipe to restaurants and reports say 1,009 people rejected him.
The point is, success usually takes time and often includes failure. So keep that in mind and put these three practices to work to achieve your success.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a freelance copywriter, published author, playwright and pastor. He publishes drama at www.chiptudor.com, books on Amazon.com, and articles on his blog.
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