Are you too comfortable being almost successful?

A couple weeks ago, at my church in Dubai (I go to Gatekeeper’s) the sermon/message of the week was on the concept of how we consider and define success in our lives.

I will not inflict my Christianity on the readers, thus, I will not get deeper into a religious discussion of the sermon/message.

However, I like the theme – and the discussion of “success” and “re-defining success” …  then once our success is defined and understood, how do we go about achieving it … this is something that all of us can reflect/consider, whether one is a believer or not.

Each one of us has a different vision of success.

For me achieving or not achieving is black and white and entirely linked to goals that I set for myself.

I will be “successful” when I complete my goals.

Whether I achieve or do not achieve…whether I am successful or almost successful in large part depends on me.

I want to build naseba’s value as high as possible.

I want to solo row across the Atlantic ocean.

I want to sail around the world.

I want to travel to as many countries as possible.

I want to be the best at what I do.

I want…

I want…

I want…

In the real world, everybody “wants” …. to be successful.

However, (as we all know, but too often forget) “wanting and “achieving” are two different things.

Once our version and understanding of “success” is set … how are we going about achieving success?

When I was younger, I wanted to be the best swimmer in America – unfortunately, my wanting to be the best did not match my actions and focus.

It was easier to sit around and talk/tell people about wanting to become great than it was to make things happen in training.  It was much easier just being almost successful.

Similarly … I can’t tell you the number of people I have met over the years who have excitedly said to me, “Scott, I want to be successful…”

But ultimately, being very successful at what we do, no matter what it is that we do —  is difficult.

It is much easier to be … almost successful.

Maybe it comes down to re-defining and/or breaking down our vision of “success.” ???

Example – What about focusing on doing something as well as we can to the best of our abilities – no matter what that thing is we are doing.

Since most of our “success” relates in some way to our professional life, it is worth reflecting:  Do you do your job to the best of your ability?

No.  There are very few people in the world who do their job to their full potential.  Most people are almost successful.

Next time you are about to call in sick or bull shit your boss or half ass a project, think about how much you want to be “successful.”

Since some of our vision of “success” relates in many ways to our personal life, it is worth reflecting:  Do you do your sport/training/diet/hobby to the best of your ability … I mean, do you do whatever it is that you do with complete un-distracted focus and drive?

Next time you are about to skip a training session/sleep in/have a cheat meal on your diet, skip a class, etc.  think about how much you want to be successful.

There is nothing wrong with just being almost successful … but (maybe) when it comes down to discussing “success” and aspiring for “success” we need to redefine what is the “success” we are after.

I am not “preaching” and “pontificating” because I am no better than you at achieving, that’s for sure.
Too often … I get too comfortable with being almost successful.

If I want to achieve any of the things I have mapped out which define what success represents to me, I need to improve my focus and drive, but equally as important do each step in the process as well as I can, to the best of my ability.

For this week – Think about what it is that you consider to be “success” … the summit you are aspiring to reach — but, instead of focusing on the summit of the mountain, let’s think about the process — climbing the best we can to the best of our abilities with consistency and drive like never before.

Instead of getting distracted by not achieving your success as fast as you “want” …and then becoming content with being almost successful, focus on the process.

Make each step in your climb as successful as possible.

Don’t settle for being almost at the top of your mountain.

  
  
       

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