My personal opinion:

It's not desire, not capital, not a plan, not good mentors, etc.

These things are all great and important, but I think there are many people with these assets that don't succeed.

I think the one MUST is the belief that you can. Without that, everything else falls flat. Almost everyone desires to be successful. Great Mentors? If that were all it took, children of the best businesspeople would be just as good. After all, they had intimate access to some of the best mentors in the world.

Without the unshakable belief that you CAN and WILL be successful, nothing else matters.

Thoughts? Disagreements? I'm curious.

Thanks,
Greg

You're right that without belief everything else falls flat. But then everything falls flat without purpose, desire, leadership, goal-setting, motivation, commitment, planning, Action, problem-solving, balance and responsibility too.

There is no "one" key. Success is the accumulation of the application of fundamental principles in our every day lives.

And to begin with... what is success? Money? If a person is going to be "successful" the first thing he/she needs to do is define success on their own terms. Each of us is unique and the quickest way to fail is to go off chasing someone else's dream.

Just a little food for thought from the "for what it's worth department.

gm

You're right that without belief everything else falls flat. But then everything falls flat without purpose, desire, leadership, goal-setting, motivation, commitment, planning, Action, problem-solving, balance and responsibility too.

There is no "one" key. Success is the accumulation of the application of fundamental principles in our every day lives.

And to begin with... what is success? Money? If a person is going to be "successful" the first thing he/she needs to do is define success on their own terms. Each of us is unique and the quickest way to fail is to go off chasing someone else's dream.

Just a little food for thought from the "for what it's worth department.

gm


Persistence should be added to that list as well - the ability to rise each time you fall.

I agree with George. There is no one key to success. It is the daily application of these principles, turning them into success HABITS, and either developing or incorporating a system for accomplishing what it is that you desire. But when life knocks you flat, you have to be persistent in getting up and moving forward.

"When life knocks you down, land on your back because, if you can look up, you can get up." - Les Brown

- Andy

Persistence should be added to that list as well - the ability to rise each time you fall.

I agree with George. There is no one key to success. It is the daily application of these principles, turning them into success HABITS, and either developing or incorporating a system for accomplishing what it is that you desire. But when life knocks you flat, you have to be persistent in getting up and moving forward.

"When life knocks you down, land on your back because, if you can look up, you can get up." - Les Brown

- Andy

Well said Andy!
And you brought it all full circle. Once you get back up, the cycle repeats.

I think it's interesting that this discussion started with the subject of belief, because getting knocked flat is really a big dose of Life telling us "You Can't, stop trying, stay down!" The ensuing feelings of rejection and failure can really eat away at our confidence and fill us with self-doubt.

Getting back up when you fall takes a lot of courage, and an unwavering belief that success is possible for you. Even if you're not totally convinced you can succeed, you need to get back up anyway and keep trying!

Great observation!

Have a fantastic day!
gm

Morse.. i agree with your ideas that there is no "one" key factor. Different people define success differently, and different people could achieve the similar success in a totally different way. So, is there a key? or... how to increase our probability to succeed?

Know your strength and weakness.... do own reflection, improve on your individual's strategy.

To me, I believe that habits drive behaviors. For e.g. a great investors would have the good habits of doing a detailed research before he buys an investment. Erm.. habits habits habits.. no wonder Stevey Covey's books are still so popular today.

But is this the only way?? no no no.. decision making, intuition and many other factors also play a part in the process. Thus, I believe there is no "one" factor...

You know you can believe you can do something all day long but still spin your wheels on the sidelines for years.

You can have the grandest plans in the world but never execute them.

You can have all the focus in the world but never apply it with inertia.

Action is to me, the absolute necessary success factor, because without it you're just blowing hot air.

It's better to be in action and make mistakes than to sit still...look at the way they send a rocket to the moon....it's off course more than on...but they course correct, course correct.

There is one major key to success. That is you. You set your goals and make sure your goals are undeniably important to you, you then believe you can achieve. Make sure you can not talk yourself out of your goals. You then put them on the wall or on the ceiling or somewhere you will see them first thing in the morning. You concentrate on those goals and see yourself achieving those goals. You also look at those goals before you go to bed every night so you can dream of those goals. You then change your paradigm to achieve those goals if need be. If you feel down about anything at all in life you look at those goals again and that will fuel the fires once more. Then you make a comittment to yourself, once again to achieve those goals. Tell your close friends, wife/husband, and family members of your comittment that will build you up and give you the support you need or want. You then persistently strive to reach those goals without waiver. These steps are what I believe are the steps to success.

You then put them on the wall or on the ceiling or somewhere you will see them first thing in the morning. You also look at those goals before you go to bed every night so you can dream of those goals. If you feel down about anything at all in life you look at those goals again and that will fuel the fires once more. Then you make a comittment to yourself, once again to achieve those goals.

Thanks for your sharing..but I'm just not so sure if anyone can pratically do what you have suggested. Nevertheless, it sounds more like a theory, or some stories abt how a chinese hero won a battle during the olden chinese days...

Have you tried putting your goals on your ceiling, on your wall, and look at them day and night, as and when, and dream abt them?

I think it's extremely important to remember that when considering what it takes to be successful, you understand that everyone has their own unique style of getting things done. So if sticking your goals on the ceiling so you can stare at them every night before you fall asleep works for you, by all means do it.

If you are struggling, trying new things can't hurt you. But whether it's 7 Habits or some other formula isn't important. What is important is that you keep doing what works for you, and throw out what doesn't work. Develop and customize your style to maximize your potential.

Have a great day!
gm

I think it's extremely important to remember that when considering what it takes to be successful, you understand that everyone has their own unique style of getting things done. So if sticking your goals on the ceiling so you can stare at them every night before you fall asleep works for you, by all means do it.


I totally agree with Coach Morse here :tiphat: - we're all different, and just because one thing works for someone doesn't mean it will necessarily work for another.

It's something I've found frustrating in the past, and the one problem I have with Tony Robbins' programmes (mostly, I really like his stuff!) - the assumption that all you need to do to be successful is to find someone who's done what you want to do, and then follow exactly what they did to get the same results. :banghead:

Unfortunately, if the person who's achieved what I want to achieve is totally different to me, with different skills, experiences and values, then it's likely that trying to do exactly what they've done will not only get me different results, but quite possibly make me very unhappy in the process because the process isn't separate from the person. On the other hand, it's entirely possible that a different method could lead me to the same place - it's just a case of finding the method that works best with who I am now, or changing who I am now until I fit the method I'm wanting to use.

I don't know how many people here have heard of the three different NLP modalities of learning - visual, audio and kinaesthetic (I have a post about them and how they can relate to goal setting that I put up here (http://online-work-from-home.blogspot.com/2006/05/how-can-understanding-nlp-modalities.html) yesterday in my blog) Basically, those who are visual are more likely to find Avecasador's method helpful, while those who are audio (like me) or kinaesthetic, like one of my friends, are less like to find it helpful. Which modality we primarily use isn't the only thing that determines what works for us and what doesn't, of course, but understanding it can help us find what's likely to be useful. :)

Best wishes and may every day bring you closer to your optimum life.

TANJA

Basically, those who are visual are more likely to find Avecasador's method helpful, while those who are audio (like me) or kinaesthetic, like one of my friends, are less like to find it helpful. Which modality we primarily use isn't the only thing that determines what works for us and what doesn't, of course, but understanding it can help us find what's likely to be useful. :)

TANJA

Agree. A one-size-fits-all method may not exist. Just like a lion is teaching a rabbit how to hunt will never be successful.

In some respect you are all right.

The one key word I did not see which is critical for success in anything is "Wisdom".

My definition of Wisdom is: Applying knowledge (what you have learned) correctly. When you have done something that is in the direction of your success, you learn and repeat. When you no longer have the desired results you learn, correct and try again, etc...

Life truly is a journey forward or backward depending on what you learn and apply from your mistakes and successes.

This is sort of what you said, Rhino, but in a different light.
I read this thread and the thing which stuck out as missing was perspective.

Where i live, Australia, 7/10 small business' will fail within the first 3 years of operation. I believe that figure is roughly right for the states too. So, to me, starting a small business and expecting to succeed beyond three years is unrealistic. You need to have failure in your perspective, as part of the equation, and accept that it can and most likely will happen. In this case, a realistic perspective would be to EXPECT to fail 7 times before you hit a success. If you make it sooner, you either got lucky, or did things in a smarter way than the average small business operator.

I say this NOT to outline that people are failures. I say it to suggest that like any sort of adversity, failure is part of life. You can't avoid it, and you can't expect it not to happen. If you do, your perspective on things is not realistic.
So, in my opinion, a perspective accurate to the context of what you're trying to achieve is another essential ingredient to success. Failure gives you two main options:
1. sulk and give up
2. learn where you went wrong, and avoid doing that next time.
Your perspective may allow you to fail once...twice...even 5 times. But if you don't see failure as a chance to LEARN, you won't succeed in the long run.

Failure is not black and white, and cannot me limited to a single number. It's as constant as life itself, and is something you've gotta make peace with before you get anywhere worthwhile. Relate yourself to a small child trying to walk if it helps. You might fall 100 times a day, but so long as you get back up every time, you keep learning what not to do, and eventually you can hop, skip and jump your way to a happy future.

Tim

This is sort of what you said, Rhino, but in a different light.
I read this thread and the thing which stuck out as missing was perspective.

Where i live, Australia, 7/10 small business' will fail within the first 3 years of operation. I believe that figure is roughly right for the states too. So, to me, starting a small business and expecting to succeed beyond three years is unrealistic. You need to have failure in your perspective, as part of the equation, and accept that it can and most likely will happen. In this case, a realistic perspective would be to EXPECT to fail 7 times before you hit a success. If you make it sooner, you either got lucky, or did things in a smarter way than the average small business operator.

I say this NOT to outline that people are failures. I say it to suggest that like any sort of adversity, failure is part of life. You can't avoid it, and you can't expect it not to happen. If you do, your perspective on things is not realistic.
So, in my opinion, a perspective accurate to the context of what you're trying to achieve is another essential ingredient to success. Failure gives you two main options:
1. sulk and give up
2. learn where you went wrong, and avoid doing that next time.
Your perspective may allow you to fail once...twice...even 5 times. But if you don't see failure as a chance to LEARN, you won't succeed in the long run.

Failure is not black and white, and cannot me limited to a single number. It's as constant as life itself, and is something you've gotta make peace with before you get anywhere worthwhile. Relate yourself to a small child trying to walk if it helps. You might fall 100 times a day, but so long as you get back up every time, you keep learning what not to do, and eventually you can hop, skip and jump your way to a happy future.

Tim

Tim

You are absolutley right! That is one Key everyone must have and may be the "master" key to Success, along with all the other keys on the ring!

Never Give Up!

You All down under are "Ausome" :)

Wisdom and perspective... two excellent points.

Let life be your teacher and apply what lessons you learn. The older I get the more I realize how much I don't know.

Changing the way we view failure is important. Our school district, like most, has had many problems. Last year they adopted the war cry, "Failure is not an Option" (FINAO). When my son came home and told me this, I simply explained to him that this perspective was the very reason the school will continure to struggle; they don't understand what it takes to succeed. If they did, insted of FINAO, their view would be, "Failure is a reality."

This thread is generating some terrific insights. I think when you put everything together, it's clear to see that success is achieved through the application of a multiple of fundamental principles.

I believe, the more principles applied in concert, the greater the results will be.

Have a great day!
gm

That's sad about FINAO Coach. Your son is lucky he has a dad with the knowledge to keep his perspective on track.
As for the conglomeration of knowledge and principles...i believe what we are doing here is a principle in itself. As much as what is being thrown around here in terms of content, the simple act of sharing what you know and gaining what others know is powerful too. Things are always easier when you have the support of others, and often you learn as much yourself from helping others. More than that though, there are intrinsic factors involved. You get a certain satisfaction and feeling of self worth when you get to help others, which helps with your own motivation.
That was definately one of many factors which led me to google "motivation forum", and stumble across vibe :)

Cheers
Tim

Right on!

In addition, I think we benefit when our ideas are subject to scrutiny. When I express my opinion openly, it becomes subject to feedback (good or bad), and that feedback allows me to evaluate the quality of my ideas.

If people are in agreement with an idea or concept, I feel confident that I can continue along that line of thinking. If people think I'm full of crap, I know that I might want to re-think that line of thinking and make some adjustments.

gm

Yep thats very true. Basically what i was getting at before with perspective. Bouncing ideas and opinions off other people is definately an effective way to stay on track.

Still, without getting cocky or big headed, i think there is a time to be confident in yourself when the majority is against you. I wouldn't listen to most people's financial advice, for example. Then again, alot of people know what to do, but just don't give enough of a crap to put it into motion.

Still, you can do things to get more focused and specific scrunity...for example, give ideas about motivation on a motivation forum, and not a forum about meteorology. I'm confident that scrunity i recieve here is worth giving weight to...which pretty much brings be full circle lol - i agree, scrunity is healthy.

Excuse the rambling nature of this post, pretty please. It's 4am :bonk: :D

Tim

to add to the thread on THE ONE success key

the key - absolute willingness to do whatever it takes
even if you dont have to do whatever that is...
(this from a book whose extact title I do not recall)

in other words - absolute focus on the goal
unwilling to bne asuaged,

plus maximized priority...
this must include a true orientation and perception
of what it is your really good at and what you really
can accomplish, in other words being real along
with the absolute willingness above, along with the belief in oneself

this is using your true honest appraisal of who you are
without any doubt..Belief to me is actually real integrated
truth about who you are, and what you can be..not
just hope...

if in doubt, don't. If in site, its yours..

best; Peter MA

You make some excellent points Peter!

Thanks for adding value and reviving this great thread! :thumb:

I've always like this quote:

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children, to earn the approbation of honest critics; to appreciate beauty; to give of one's self, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--that is to have succeeded.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've always like this quote:

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children, to earn the approbation of honest critics; to appreciate beauty; to give of one's self, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--that is to have succeeded.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Great quote!!! :yup:

Indeed. One of my favorites.