FUEL YOUR DESIRE TO SUCCEED AND EXCEL

• "We often strive to convince others, even when we aren't convinced strongly enough."

One of the major determinants of success and Excellence on life is decision; but that's quickly followed by determination. The extent to which we're going to succeed and excel at any worthwhile venture is determined, to a large extent, by the strength of our determination. Our determination is simply a measure of how strongly we're convinced the course is worth our efforts, time and other precious resources at our disposal. As soon as we get ourselves convinced strongly enough, we defy all odds to go all the way to achieve our objectives. We often strive to convince others, even when we aren't convinced strongly enough. Here comes the essence of getting worthy "why"s for our actions, endeavours and ventures.

• As soon as we get ourselves convinced strongly enough, we defy all odds to go all the way to achieve our objectives.

Whys strengthen our grip on the rough roads to success and Excellence. The stronger our whys, the more "firm-footed" we're, going all the way and defying all odds. Strong whys do us more favour than others. They help us more than they help others. Often we think that all we need is just to get the required resources mobilized, acquire the needed skill sets and then get others convinced to back us up, then we're good to go; but then we're as wrong as we think that we're correct with these assertions.

I had a friendly argument with a female friend of mine a few days ago, and a meditation on its aftermath prompted this write-up. She had a rather bitter burstup with one of her family members earlier than day; the family member had misjudged her motives and actions with respect to some series of happenstances. As I started my chat with her she shared her ordeal with me, and I really felt for her because it was very obvious that she was completely taken off context. Then she vowed to go all the way and succeed so as to "prove her wrong". That was when the debate ensued between us. I appluaded her determination to "go all out and succeed", but the "why" driving that resolve is what I strongly opposed. After a series of back and forth reasoning, she saw reason with me.

• We don't need to succeed just so as to prove others wrong, nor do we need to succeed just so as to prove the point that "we too can".

She saw reason with me, which is this: We don't need to succeed just so as to prove others wrong, nor do we need to succeed just so as to prove the point that "we too can". There should be a far stronger "why" behind our resolve to succeed, than mere gratification of our selfish egos and proving of points around. So I won my argument with her, and my night was made that day; not because I won the argument, but because I got one more person to pursue success and Excellence with the right perspective.

• My night was made that day; not because I won the argument, but because I got one more person to pursue success and Excellence with the right perspective.

A friend of mine have his personal motto thus: NEVER GIVE UP! And for this I admire him. He's used it to both motivate and inspire success and Excellence in many people (including yours sincerely). Now the question is: How can we get many more people not to give up on themselves and their right courses? To this question I've come to realize that "if we get people to imbibe the habit of strengthening their reasons for any course they count worthy, it's 75% to 95% more likely that they won't ever give up".

• "if we get people to imbibe the habit of strengthening their reasons for any course they count worthy, it's 75% to 95% more likely that they won't ever give up".

So I'll like us to reason together through this very important question. The "Why" Questions. Why do you do what you do? Why are you embarking on that particular venture? Why do you want to succeed? Why do you want to be famous or popular or an authority in that field? Have you sat yourself down to take yourself through these questions? Have you resolved these to a very large extent? Have you answered these questions over and over again to the extent that the answers to them are literally propelling you towards Excellence, even against all odds? Having seen that your odds to stay on course and all the way to success is increased by 75% to 95%, wouldn't you rather sit down and resolve these questions until the answers POSSESS YOU the way alcohol possesses the drunk?

• Have you answered these questions over and over again to the extent that the answers to them are literally propelling you towards Excellence, even against all odds?

I wouldn't suggest any right answers to you, for as our faces are different so our answers would be. (And meanwhile, I jumped through the question of what you'd like to do or succeed at, with the assumption that it's already resolved in you. If it isn't, that's a prerequisite assignment to undertake before the present one.) So, whatever worthy course you're pursuing, why do you want to succeed at it? To prove a point to your "haters" and "nay sayers"? To "show them" that you too can? To have the chance to mock those who have mocked you? To "fluant it all" to everyone? To get the "fame" you've so much lusted for? While I wouldn't dictate to you what your "why" should be, I'd like to tell you that the above reasons are way too ephemeral to be worthy of a purposeful attention. Nobody was created just to go "show it back to haters". If the above are your reasons, then you're actually still under the control of the said "haters" and "mockers".

• Nobody was created just to go "show it back to haters". If the above are your reasons, then you're actually still under the control of the said "haters" and "mockers".

Maybe you'd think of how you have to succeed so as to be a shoulder to lean on and a source of strength to others. The truth remains that your life and success are tied to others' lives and successes and theirs are as well tied to yours, as nobody is an island. Same way, your failure can go a long way to discourage others. For instance, some years ago I was considering a particular "side business", and I considered it to be quite a "good business"; then as I shared my consideration with a friend, he immediately gave me every reason (with much passion as well) why it's a no-go area, and he immediately cited two friends of his who ventured into it and failed. Oh the courage he'd have picked had his friends succeeded! Consider how you need to be a source of encouragement and not discouragement to others. Consider how your success should bring honour and glory, and not shame to your Maker; and how much worship your success would bring to God. Consider how through your success you'd be a strength to your family who have stood by you all these years, and not just to go and prove some vain points. Consider how through your success a pillar to many people's lives and success you shall be. These should sink down into your mind, and push you to rise up and defy all odds and succeed.

• Consider how your success should bring honour and glory, and not shame to your Maker; and how much worship your success would bring to God.

May I therefore urge you to, whatever worthy course you'd succeed at, go sit yourself down and answer the "Why Questions". Keep the answers in front of you long enough until they're written on the front page of your heart, stirring you to success and Excellence; and by all means, NEVER GIVE UP!