Success goes to the successful

Success is never handed to the successful. This is the one thing that I emphasize all the time.

I have been given the privilege to share the speaker’s platform with many of the country’s top achievers and leaders. From tycoons, to taipans to typhoons…(these are the people who are full of air but they do speak very well……) from cabinet secretaries to cabinet makers……and if you speak to the tune of more than 300 times in a year then you certainly would have met these same people like me.

I studied the winners. I ask them questions. I talk to them. I interview them and guess what I discovered? Success is never handed to these successful people. And the one common thread that is woven through out the fabric of their life’s success journey is the fact that they are tenacious. They work harder than the rest. They are tough enough to take it.

They go into business. The business goes south or maybe there’s the fire, the earthquake, the economy that killed their business; they pick themselves up they learn the lessons and then they move forward with a greater resolve to be successful.

Some of them work hard on their business. And then their business partners cheat, their relatives run away with the money. All heartbreaking experiences yet they pick themselves up, the learn the lessons and they move forward with a greater resolve to be successful. Some of them have been maligned, the relentless backstabbing, the slander, the malice and the wicked schemes hurled against them continue…(talk to me and I have stories to tell you in this area……) yet unfazed and undeterred they continue on their course, pick themselves up, learn the lessons and they move forward with a greater resolve to be successful.

Calvin Coolidge said: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

Tenacity is the key.

Motivational speaker Christ Widener says: If you are one who finds yourself dreaming of a better life, or looking at someone who “has it made,” I would ask you to take a long, deep look inward and at your life to find whether or not you have actually been tenacious in pursuit of your dreams. How long have you gone for it? Many people who achieve much go for YEARS before they achieve what their hearts long for? How hard have you gone for it? Most people who achieve much have given up much. They have sacrificed much. They strive valiantly for what it is that resides deep in their dreams. They just plain old work hard!

And then there are the concepts floating out there that with luck alone one can be successful. This is not true. Success is never a one-shot deal. The key here is can one maintains his success. One piece of advice? It’s unlucky to be superstitious.

And then there are those who believe that if you “believe enough, visualize enough, dream enough and discover the ancient secrets you will be successful.” One piece of advice. Those who dream great dreams need to wake and do some work.

Because at the end of the day, it is still the one who wakes up a little earlier, works a little late, studies and learns new things everyday, dedicated to his or her work, faithful to his or her family, connects with God in an intimate way and tenaciously deal with all the downturns in life will emerge successful.

Ancient Scriptures that is still applicable through out the ages says: “Do not be deceived God is not mocked. Whatsoever you sow you shall reap.”

This works all the time.

(Every economic crisis is an equalizing opportunity, attend New Prosperity Forum featuring the rare tandem of Josiah Go and Francis Kong - February 9 in Manila and February 11 in Cebu. Call 412-0034 for details.)