Tips to be successful in life

Meaning of Success:
“Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal”- Earl Nightingale
Meaning of the above definition:
“Progressive” means that success is a journey, not a destination. We never arrive. After we reach one goal, we go on to the next and the next and the next.
“Realization” means it is an experience. Outside forces cannot make me feel successful. I have to feel it within myself. It is internal not external.
“Worthy” refers to our value system. Which way are we heading? Positive or negative? Worthiness determines the quality of the journey. That is what gives meaning and fulfillment. Success without fulfillment is empty.
Why? “Goals” are important. Because they give us a sense of direction.
Success does not mean being accepted by everyone. There are some groups I would not want to be accepted by, out of choice. I would rather be criticized by fools than appreciated by unsavory characters.

How to lead a Successful Life?

Please try to understand the correct implication of the term “successful life”. When you talk of success with reference to life, it does not merely mean succeeding in everything that you undertake or do; it does not merely mean succeeding in fulfilling all wants or getting whatever you desire; it does not just mean acquiring a name or attaining a position or imitating fashionable ways and appearing modern or up-to-date.
The essence of true success is what you make of yourself. It is the conduct of life that you develop, it is the character that you cultivate, and it is the type of person you become. This is the central meaning of successful living. Such successful life is one that succeeds in producing an ideal individual. Your success is not measured in terms of what all you obtain but in terms of
what you become, how you live, and what actions you do. Upon this point reflect well and attain great happiness.
Are you committed to something very definite, very clear, very unmistakable? Ask yourself this question. Keep on asking until you are clear, until you are absolutely certain about your answer to this question. For according to your commitment, that will be your life. God’s plan for you is the ultimate experience of the divine perfection which is your innermost reality, which is your true Self. Let life become this process of fulfilling God’s plan for you. You will bless your own immediate environment, your nation and the entire world.

Some obstacles to Success (Real or Imagined)

• Ego
• Fear of failure success ; lack of self esteem
• No plan
• Lack of formalized goals
• Life changes
• Procrastination or delay
• Family responsibility
• Financial security issues
• Lack of focus, being muddled
• Giving up vision for promise of money
• Doing too much alone
• Over-commitment
• Lack of commitment
• Lack of training
• Lack of persistence
• Lack of priorities

How can we overcome the obstacles?
People who have overcome obstacles are more secure than those who have never faced them . We all have problems and we feel discouraged some time. Most people get disappointed; but winners don’t get disheartened. The answer is determination.
An English proverb says, “A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.” Everything is difficult before it becomes easy. We cannot run away from our problems. Only losers quit and give up.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.–Abigail Van Buren

Qualities that make a person successful:
1. Desire: Napoleon Hill wrote, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.” Desires are nourished by delays.
2. Commitment: Integrity and wisdom are the two pillars on which to build and keep commitments. This point is best illustrated by the manager, who told one of his staff members, “Integrity is keeping your commitment even if you lose money and wisdom is not to make such foolish commitments.”
Prosperity and success are the result of our thoughts and decisions. It is our decision what thoughts will dominate our lives. Success is not an accident. It is the result of our attitude.

3. Be Kind:
Out of your life there must flow out ceaseless love, kindness, and compassion. Never hurt anyone. Never hurt even the least one of God’s creatures either by thought, word, or action. Even in dreams you should never think of harming or hurting any creature. This sublime principle of non-injury, harmlessness, is given a very great place in the eternal Vedic way of life.
Be a centre of help, be a centre of benefit, be a centre of happiness and peace to all. Never injure, never hurt, never harm any living creature.

4. Responsibility:
Responsible people accept and learn from their mistakes. Some people never learn. We can do three things about mistakes:

• Ignore them
• Deny them
• Accept and learn from them

5. Hard Work:
“There is no substitute to hard work”- Anonymous

6. Persistence:
Persistence is a decision. It is a commitment to finish what you start. When we are exhausted, quitting looks good. But winners endure. Ask a winning athlete. He endures pain and finishes what he started. Lots of failures have begun well but have not concluded anything. Persistence comes from purpose. Life without purpose is drifting. A person who has no purpose will never persevere and will never be fulfilled.

References:
Success Life by Sri Swami Chidananda
You can Win by Shiv Khera