It would be nice if you could sit around and wait for success to come to you, but it doesn’t work like that. A government may create temporary conditions where you can put forth little effort and get much in return, but for how long? And is success really putting your hands in the fate of an institution? Or hoping that you just find yourself in favorable, external conditions?

If you want it, you have to go after it. It doesn’t mean you’ll get it, but at least it means you have a shot at it.

Where you start is acknowledging the separation of where you currently are and where you’d like to be. Not easy, for sure. You’re looking at the lack. Focusing on the deficit tends to feel yucky, so most of us try to ignore it. All that does is trade in a short term pain for a longer, stronger pain.

How many dollars are you from your money goal? 99% of people couldn’t tell you, because they don’t even have a goal. What are major life achievements you’re striving for, and how close are you to them? Again, most people are aimless - they don't have any future achievements to look forward to. No wonder the present is so hard.

I’m not judging you. Fact is, you weren’t taught this stuff. There is no Success 1 and Success 2 offered in high school. Most teachers can’t teach you about success because you can’t offer up what you don’t have.

Anyone who settles for getting by is unqualified to teach success.

Maybe you’re lucky and had successful parents. But even that is problematic because successful people are so busy being successful, they don’t have a lot of time left to teach it. While it’s true success is more caught than taught (you can observe successful folk and pick up on their mannerisms, habits and traits), it’s better to engage in a formal study of success than leave it to chance.

You reading this right now is that engagement. I must applaud you. You are in the minority. You’re taking an active step at achieving a successful life. The fact you’ve even made this step should be celebrated.

It’s true we got a lot of work to do, but you’re starting off on the right foot.

The Drive-Contentment Connection

On success