Everyone desires to be successful on some level in their life. Teens are no exception. For many teens success is defined by material things. I remember wishing for those very same things myself. The funny thing about wishing is nothing happens. You can wish and wish all day long but to be successful, you must be prepared to take action.
The truth is, the older you get – your idea of success will change. You will soon realize that success is not all about material things and money but simply products of success. Success is about opportunities and influence.
Here are 7 things you can do right now to get started:
1. Make the decision. Before you accomplish anything, you must make believe that success is possible for you. Many desire to be successful but that is as far as it goes. To be successful, you have to take it a step further….you must make the decision to be successful. That decision must be based on your efforts. You can’t depend on someone else, you can’t wait for someone else. You have to own your success. Don’t worry about how it is going to happen. You job right now is to believe that it will happen.
2. Find someone who is successful in the area you want to achieve success. Be careful here because there are alot of people who put alot of effort into LOOKING successful. They wear the clothes, drive the car and live in the house but upon closer observation you notice the sadness, the loneliness and you also notice they produce no fruit. As the saying goes, “Success leaves clues”. When looking for someone successful check the fruit(s). Do they give? are they humble? do they have a good track record? are they respected? do they operate with integrity? are they accountable? do they live a balanced life? are they caring? who do they hang out with? does their walk match their talk? . All of these are signs of success. Remember alot of people do and say the right things with the wrong motives.
3. Get a Mentor. Everyone who has ever achieved any level of success had a mentor so why would you be any different. A mentor can cut your learning curve almost in half. A good mentor will challenge you, stretch you and hold you accountable. This is not a best friend….no way…..this is someone who has been there and done that and willing to share their experience to create opportunities for you. When you are find someone who is successful in the area in which you desire to achieve success, ask them to be your mentor.
4. Be Prepared to Pay the Price. Success comes at a high price. This is the reason so many people never experience true success. Success requires discipline, sacrifice, hard work and perseverance. Are you willing to pay that price? Are you willing to be misunderstood by friends (so-called)? Are you willing to be criticized? Are you willing to not be invited to the parties because you are now acting funny? Are you willing to stay up long hours when everyone else is sleeping? Are you willing to give up shopping and social activities to invest in your vision? Oh yes there is a price for success but it is so well worth it.
5. Take Action Daily. If you have read this fair then you are serious about being success because success is all about action. Each and every day you must do something no matter how small to move your vision forward. This requires discipline, goal setting and execution. No one really cares about your dream if there is no action behind it so take action daily.
6. Never, Ever Quit. I think that speaks for itself. Quitting is not an option. Yes you are going to get tired. Yes you may fall off the wagon. Yes things may not turn out the way you think they should. When you feel like giving up go back to step one and start all over again. When you feel like throwing up your hands, know that you are in good company. We have felt that way at one time or another but hang in there. Call up a good friend that supports and celebrates you. Reach out to your mentor. Pray. Take a break. Re-evalaute. Remember there is no failure…..only feedback.
7. Celebrate Your Success. Whenever you accomplish a milestone on your journey to success CELEBRATE. This will give you the motivation to keep going and it will be an inspiration to your family and friends. My mentor shared with me a powerful statement one day at lunch, “You can tell your REAL friends by the way they handle/celebrate your success”. I know this to be true. You are going to be amazed at the people who celebrate you and the others that don’t. God will begin to slowly weed out the frienemies. Don’t mourn them….let them go because God is just making room for true friends and expanding your circle of influence.
Tune in next week and I will share even more Tips for Success.
QUESTION FOR TODAY: How serious are you about your Success?
CHALLENGE FOR TODAY: What one action can you take today to move your vision forward?
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Joshua 1:8 NIV
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
To Your Success,
Coach Leslie
