Success and Failure

I don’t think we realize how success and failure are so intertwined. We see the successes of someone like Steve Jobs and we think he got there just due to his abilities and because he was a genius. Well, he was a genius but I don’t think that it’s just because of that. He failed throughout his career and had quite a bit of times where he was given a choice: give up or get up.

This choice is given to us in moments where we decide whether we want to continue on or fold under the pressure that we have fabricated is there. When facing this dilemma, it is important to understand three things that will truly help you overcome the obstacles that may be put in front of you as you pursue your dreams, goals, and great desires.

1. Fear isn’t real

When you think about it, this statement seems to make sense. I mean, fear isn’t a real thing. Don’t get me wrong, Black Widow spiders are definitely scary and are also deadly. Fear can creep up on us or pounce upon us in many situations, but most of the time the fact of the matter is that fear causes quite a bit of stress when fear isn’t necessary.

For example: If you have known for a long time that you were attracted to the same sex, and you are extremely afraid that if you share it with your parents, you may think they will get angry and be very mad at you. But in all reality, they likely care about you and love you and will only support and love you no matter what you do.

In this situation, fear becomes the monster under the bed. It’s an idea that makes us stop dead in our tracks. Fear is the dream killer. Let me say this again:

Fear is the dream killer

That statement that rings true throughout the ages is this: “there is nothing to fear but fear itself.” And how true is that statement. So the next time you are thinking big thoughts and that gut feeling starts rising up in you to take that trip you’ve always wanted, to start on that project that you have dreamed to begin, or to put together that business plan for that brilliant idea you had two years ago, don’t let fear hold you back — it isn’t real.

2. Progress is a daily process

People see my before and “after” photo (put in quotes because I am still in progress) and they wonder how to get to that amazing place physically. What many don’t understand is that it took thousands of no’s to get to where I am. Yes, you heard me correctly. Every single no brought me to this place. No to that cake, no to those donuts, no to drinking all those weekends with friends. And every single day that I chose to contribute to my goals, my health, my dreams — that’s when progress was revealed. Let’s say you do have an incredible dream to help 100,000 people in your lifetime. Guess what? If you don’t stop for the one person in front of you, how do you think you’ll ever be able to stop for the 100,000. It has to start somewhere — start with the one.

It has to start somewhere — start with the one.

You get one person who likes your product before you get 1,000. You get one follower before you get 1 million. Dig in and get to work, be consistent and you will see results.

3. Gratitude is key

The difference between many of those who succeed and who fail comes down to a few key factors. I truly believe that gratitude is one of the incredible factors that marks someone who is truly successful. The small time and effort it takes to think about how grateful you are for the people in your life and what you have makes a huge difference. Oprah said: “If you think about what you don’t have, you’ll have less, but if you are grateful for what you have, you’ll always have more than enough.”

Gratefulness is one of the most important key ingredients to happiness, and I believe those who are truly happy are ultimately successful. It doesn’t matter what your net worth is, whether you are a farmer who wakes up every day thankful for being able to have a plentiful harvest that feeds other people or the CEO who is grateful for his employees that work hard every day to make his company great. Want to know the secret sauce? Give thanks, and do it every day — and truly mean it with all your soul. When you do this, you will set yourself up for incredible success.

Give thanks, and do it every day — and truly mean it with all your soul.

When you follow these three simple suggestions, you will be able to not only thrive, but help those around you grow as well.

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-Guest post by Daniel Okon