“If at first, the idea
is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.”
– Albert Einstein
(1879-1955)
Physicist
I once had
someone ask me what, if I am writing about the principles of Scouting in this
blog, why do I talk about success. They
said, "Scouting is about building character, courage, adventure and living
a good life." To this I respond:
Isn't that success?
I believe over the years that
people get the whole idea of success confused and misrepresented. We see what have been labeled as successful
people and think that they define the word.
When I see people like John Belushi, Kurt Cobain, Bernie Madoff and
countless others who have fame and fortunes I do not think of successful
people. These are people who were able
to make money (anyone can do that), become famous (anyone can do that) but have
failed when it comes to living a good life and adding something to the world
they live in.
Success is the ability to have a
dream, pursue your dream and achieve your dream. That dream is different for each of us and
does not always include wealth, popularity or power. If a person can live their life knowing they
have done what they were created to do; knowing they have added something good
to this world and have peace with themselves and their God, then they have
succeeded.
There are
three myths that people often connect to success:
1)
Success means wealth
Wealth can be a reward for
success but it is never the goal itself.
Many have become very successful through an idea they had or a talent or
skill. They have done something they
love to do and they have become wealthy doing it. That is a reward, their desire at first was
not the wealth but the idea.
2)
People become successful overnight
Among successful people there is
no greater joke than the idea of an "overnight success". Successful people know that it takes ages of
hard work and dedication to achieve success.
Some may move quickly once they come to a point in their journey to
achievement, but they did not get to that point overnight. Success takes time and hard work, that is
it. There is no easy way or any short
cuts. If you want to be successful you
have got to be willing to do the work.
3)
Success is never fair
Success is really the only
really fair thing we face each day.
Anyone - yes I said anyone - can be a success in life. You have the opportunity and the resources
all there for you. However, if you are
waiting for someone to give it to you, make it easy for you, share it with you
or do it for you, you my friend, will never see success. Nor should you. If you are going to be a success you have got
to do it yourself. That is fair. That is right. That is the way it is.
You
matter! You matter to the world and to
yourself. Remember to be your best, love
God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.
John Patrick
Hickey is an author, speaker, Life Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from
John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your
church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.
© 2014 John
Patrick Hickey
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