“Nearly all men can stand adversity, if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

~ Abraham Lincoln

post: mitch w. steel
photo: Flickr, webbmb

Yes, it’s time to create a “Heroes” section on Succcess.org! With so many remarkable successes in this world, both past and present, this is a great way to inspire our collective will AND validate the “3 C” formula.

I know from personal experience that reading about and meeting truly successful people has always helped to provide motivation.

So, without any further ado, I’m very pleased to share Succcess.org’s first Hall of Fame inductee. He is a lifelong personal hero and a legend of our great country. Frankly, he’s a no-brainer in the context of personal development (PD) and certainly in the realm of the “3 C’s”. Ladies and gentleman, please give a warm, presidential welcome to the 16th President of the United States - your hero and mine, Abraham Lincoln! [applause]

It had to happen…

Indeed. ‘Honest Abe’ is our first “3 C” Hero inductee! His greatness as a man and leader is legendary. He consistently ranks in the top three, and more often than not #1 in surveys for the best President of all time!

Every since I heard the story about “Honest” Abe allegedly walking 6 miles to return three pennies I’ve been captivated by his genuine integrity and character. Granted, a penny was worth a lot more back then which tells us even more about his great sense of honesty.

CREATIVITY

Most people wouldn’t necessarily associate Abe with Creativity (the first C) - but he was renowned for his creative vision and his creative writing! His ability to see the outcome he desired long before it was a reality was legendary. A fantastic example of this are his many speeches. Check out this example, of his “House Divided Speech“. Here he declared his vision of an end to slavery. His speech began,

“If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it. We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation.

Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only, not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed.

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.

I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.

It will become all one thing or all the other…”

Powerful vision - powerfully creative writing!

One of the great surprises of compiling this post is that I found out Abraham as a young boy thoroughly enjoyed poetry. Here’s a poem he wrote as a boy, “The Bear Hunt” - very enteraining.

CHARACTER

“The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself in every way he can, never suspecting that anybody wishes to hinder him.”
~Abraham Lincoln

Not sure how that quote (above) escaped me during the writing of “The 3 C’s” - perhaps I can find a way to squeeze it in the next edition. It’s too good!

Lincoln truly ‘got it’. He didn’t get the nickname ‘Honest Abe’ by accident. His moral compass was fixed to his “true north” well before he became president. President Lincoln believed in Character as the answer to help any person rise above any adversity. In fact, the name “Lincoln” has become synonymous with Character. Consider how many companies try to glom on to that name for relative integrity by association.

I was fascinated to learn (but, I guess, not entirely surprised) that there is a “Lincoln Center for Character Development” ). Yes, it’s no coincidence that Lincoln’s Character was renowned - like the man himself. And, it’s no coincidence he literally rose (in life and death) to the level of his Integrity. Character was the foundation for his success!

COMPLETION!

Hard to imagine a man more dedicated to his cause and more focused on an outcome. Lincoln’s mission from the beginning of his presidency was to preserve the Union and to end slavery. Consider for a moment if either of those missions were not completed - had he not achieved these goals it’s likely history would have regarded his tenure very differently.

His achievements and victories, both personal and professional, were long-fought and hard-won. His accomplishments all came at a significant price. His perseverance was tested time and again and there is little doubt in my mind that his great personal sacrifice and challenges were all ‘gifted’ to him - and were of course what ultimately enabled him to rise to meet his challenges, accomplish his goals and change the fate of millions of lives and our great county! Yes, ultimately, it was the obstacles that enabled him to meet his challenges head on and fortified him to succeed!

For your review, here are a list setupbacks the greatest President in our history endured. How many opportunities to quit, give up and move on. It’s painful to read this list let alone live it. When I first saw this, it registered and began to make perfect sense. This is how you ‘make’ perhaps the greatest President our country has known.

1816: Lincoln’s family was forced out of their home. He had to go to work to support them.
1818: Lincoln’s mother died.
1831: Lincoln fails in his first business
1832: Lincoln loses his first bid for state legislature
1833: Lincoln borrows money to start a business. Before year’s end he went bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years paying off the loan.
1834: Lincoln runs for state legislature–and wins
1835: Lincoln is engaged to be married. Fiancé dies.
1836: Lincoln experience nervous breakdown. Was confined to bed for six months.
1838: Lincoln was defeated in his bid to become speaker of state legislature
1840: Lincoln defeated in his bid to become elector.
1843: Lincoln ran for U.S. Congress–and lost
1846: Lincoln ran for U.S. Congress–and wins.
1848: Lincoln ran for re-election–and lost
1849: Lincoln sought the job of land officer in his home state–was rejected
1854: Lincoln ran for United States Senate–and lost
1856: Lincoln sought vice presidential nomination of his party–got less than 100 votes
1858: Lincoln ran for U.S. Senate–and lost
1860: Lincoln elected president of the United States

———-

So there you are folks, the 16th President of the United States. No offense to President “W” but something tells me his life might’ve been a little less challenging. John Wooden (Link) likes to say “Talent can get you to the top but it’s Character that keeps you there.”

In the framework of the “3 C’s” Lincoln had it all; Creativity, Character and Completion. He is a model example of the “3 C” formula for enduring success.

——-

btw: i’ll be accepting nominations for other 3 C Heroes who met the criteria. Do post those nominations in the comments. Until next time…

~MWS

First, I want to personally thank YOU very much for your ongoing patronage. The number of visitors and returning visitors continues to amaze me. I fully intend to become more active and comment on the reader comments more often.

Speaking of comments - I APOLOGIZE! I’m not sure how many comments I’ve lost but I know I’ve lost a handful and it’s due to comment SPAM. The SPAM is out of control. My goal in the next month is to solve that - at the very least mitigate the problem. There have been some very kind, thoughtful comments and it bothers me that they’ve been accidentally deleted given the fact that people are taking the time to share.

You people are tremendous! It’s humbling and amazing to think so many people are spending time, reading posts, commenting and downloading the ebook. Also, the number of people emailing and requesting the Personal Eval Tool has been fantastic as well.

Thanks again for all the support and I will continue to work to improve the site, contents tools, etc. Again, my sincere apologies if you notice your comment(s) missing.

As always, your feedback is not only welcome but appreciated.

Cheers!

~mws

[ Yes, this was moved to the 10th to be below Lincoln and yes, we've already added captcha to reduce spam. appears to be working. Cheers!]

post: Mitch W. Steel (excerpt 3 C’s)
photo: courtesy flickr, Ronn Ashore

“If you do the things you ought to do–when you ought to do them–the day will come when you can do the things you want to do–when you want to do them!”
~ Zig Ziglar.

Anyone can make an excuse-and many people do. You, from this point forward are different. You have the mindset that anything is achievable and that taking total responsibility for where you are right now and where you are headed is Job #1!

Making excuses–whether conscious or unconscious–may be the number-one reason for people’s poor character development, and therefore the perpetual and futile attempt to realize their ideal future - their success.

Remember this: NOTHING IS EASIER THAN MAKING EXCUSES. NOTHING IS HARDER THAN TAKING RESPONSIBILITY.

If something is hard–if it’s a challenge–you are on the right track. And, yes, that is a belief system. However, it is my direct experience that when beliefs are aligned with timeless principles; that is, where belief systems intersect with timeless principles such as, challenge creates growth - desires and dreams tend to manifest much more quickly.

In Dr. Dyer’s book “The Power of Intention” he speaks of something very similar - which is aligning your personal character traits and actions with that of the “Creator”. In the book he lists seven characteristics; creativity, love, kindness, beauty, receptivity, abundance, expansiveness. As it relates to your dreams unfolding - a critical alignment component for you is to be sure both your beliefs and character traits align with these timeless principles. I highly recommend you read this book.

Why do the Marines and other armed forces throw so much adversity; literally, difficulty after difficulty at their young recruits? Two reasons; one is to quickly identify at what starting point the cadettes character is and two, because they understand that this is the quickest way to develop a stronger character.

Responsibility is where both the challenge and FUN lie! Yes, setting up a belief system to embrace challenge is an essential beginning. This is what develops and strengthens YOUR CHARACTER! (The second “C”). Start by taking 100-percent responsibility for where you are right now and where you are headed.

Are you hiding from a challenge? Are you ducking responsibility? It’s always easier to do nothing or to point fingers then assume responsibility? Recognize all growth comes from challenge and change.

It’s an over-used analogy but so true; the weight lifter increases the challenge (the weights) to build his muscles. The difference of course is his VIEW of the challenge as an exciting opportunity to increase his ability and strength. He simply views the challenge differently and embraces it. This is responsibility in its purest sense! This is the GIFT OF RESPONSIBILITY!

“Enjoy your incredible human journey. Accept the highs and the lows as equally valuable. Recognize that your deepest sorrows reveal your greatest joys. Share your stories with others, and know that you’re not alone. Be grateful for your time on earth.
Live consciously.”
~ Steve Pavlina (excerpt from Afterword)
Personal Development for Smart People.

Photo: courtesy Flickr, Kazze
Review by Mitch W. Steel

I’d like to thank Steve Pavlina and Hayhouse for the kind invitation and opportunity they’ve extended to me and SUCCCESS.org to review Personal Development for Smart People, The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth.

If you are searching for a personal development resource that is rich in both strategic information and tactical techniques to improve your SELF and, therefore, your life PDfSP is the answer!

As promised by Steve, PDfSP delivers a great deal of original content, both in terms of his own personal ideas and philosophies as well as specific application techniques he has used. His writing style (as you may know from his blog) is personable and easy to read. And, as with his blog, his greatest strength is not only his personal application of these many self improvement techniques but his personal story; how he went from a confused thief, lucky to receive community service to a new-age, thought-leader and owner of the #1 personal development website and blog. www.stevepavlina.com.

And, since Steve is a Toastmaster, I figured I’d frame this review in the context of Toastmaster’s formula for critique called, “The Sandwich Method”. The formula is positive praise, followed by constructive and hopefully useful critique then, in closing, more positive encouragement and sincere commentary.

The Top Slice…
As mentioned previously and not to be overlooked, Steve’s work is easy to read. His ‘voice’ is candid, authentic and you are likely to sense a deep sincerity in his desire to help you - the reader. His work reminds me somewhat of the great Dr. Norman Vincent Peale - refreshing, unpretentious, very candid and genuine. (Read the all-time classic, The Power of Positive Thinking).

Similarly, Steve shares his findings in the context of his own self-discovery and that makes his advice extremely credible. Additionally, the proof of his techniques lies in his own realization of ’success’ (matches nicely with our definition here) and the effectiveness of his present life. While I believe the core or gut of the book- the application sections are likely to be the readership’s bread and butter- the principles and philosophies could take years to sink in. In fact, Steve urges you not to skip ahead to the application section, and admits as much in the introduction.

The Search (The “meat” - although Steve is a vegan)
I commend Steve on his pursuit and search for the universal underlying principles and laws for personal development. And, in reality who’s to say or judge what they are. I view such statements more as a framework for TEACHING and LEARNING and less as a declarative statement for some universal law. For instance “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” is a tremendous framework for teaching and learning - yet in no way a comprehensive, universal law for success. Hence, the release of :The 8th Habit” … and, on it goes.

Life is dynamic - knowledge is static (see “The 3 C’s”). Last time I checked, Pluto was no longer in our solar system. Change!

In fact, in my mind, CHANGE could easily have been one of his three core principles, or four… or five… etc.

As both the educator or the educated evolve and “as the world turns” - the related lessons and even ‘laws’ must similarly evolve. Simply consider all the great physics ‘laws’ - that over time have changed. The ‘reality’ is they aren’t laws - they are theories. Which of course is what Steve Pavlina presents to us here. And here are his three core principles; truth, love and power. These support and spawn the four secondary principles; oneness, authority, courage and intelligence. While his theories align very well to support all these principles - and vice-versa. I wonder if he may not be “over-thinking” it? As I mentioned above, who’s to say? Perhaps that is why he titled the book personal development for SMART people.

In a world in which humans are, as my favorite song writer Jack Johnson states, “clever but clueless” the ‘reality’ is nobody can truly say what a universal principle or law is; be it love, success, personal development, or, you name it. That is, with any absolute certainty (post). And, don’t take my word for it- strangely enough, I just ran across this gem in “Mindlessness” By Ellen J. Langer.

” We know that the first step towards the intellectual mastery of the world in which we live is the discovery of general principles, rules and laws which being order to chaos. By such mental operations we simplify the world of phenomena, but we cannot avoid falsifying it in doing so, especially when we are dealing with the processes of development and change.
Sigmund Freud, “Analysis Terminable and Interminable”

So, are we dealing with what Freud suggests here - ‘change and development’? It appears as though we are since personal development is both change and development. However, keep in mind, this is coming from me, a guy who authored, “The 3 C’s of Succcess”. Admittedly, I will say “The 3 C’s” is a theory, a thought-piece, and perhaps, most importantly, a framework for teaching many of the very same lessons and principles — yet, less of an absolute.

HABITS
I was pleased to see the practical application section start with “Habits” (Chapter Eight). Here, Steve clearly points out the significant impact and control habits have over our lives. I particularly liked his imagination exercise where he asks readers to use their mind’s predictive powers and imagine what the long-term, cumulative effect each habit will have if maintained for the rest of their life”. That is powerful stuff and undoubtedly helps motivate people to more quickly adopt some new habits.

I do wish Steve had spent more time illustrating and supporting the list of 66 habits. Why they are important, how they might have applied to his life and what technique he used to improve each habit. For instance, he lists habit #30 as “Intuition. Go with your gut instinct. It’s probably right“. This calls for more information. Seems to me Steve could have provided an example of when intuition has served him well. I think that would’ve been helpful. Or, perhaps, sharing any technique he used to refine his intuitive powers and how that may have assisted him to achieve his many goals. Having said that, I fully appreciate there are size constraints to any book and I’m sure he had to pick and choose content. Not unlike myself with this review, as there is really so much more quality content, yet I can only address so much here!

Summary… The Bottom Slice

Personal Development for Smart People is a very practical, useful and fantastic addition to any library on personal development! When you couple this book with the wealth of information posted on Steve’s Site www.stevepavlina.com it becomes a formidable force in your arsenal to help manifest the success you are not only looking for but, are capable of achieving. Or, as we like to say here at SUCCCESS.org, this material is very likely to help you CREATE YOUR IDEAL FUTURE.

Personal Development for Smart People gets a very solid 4.25 out of 5 on my list of stars (that doesn’t actually exist). I’m no professional book reviewer. However, I’m a HUGE Personal Development FAN, having read seemingly everything in the genre and I’m most impressed with Steve’s first effort. Very well done! I recommend you not only buy this for yourself but for those special people in your life who may need a little guidance. Personal Development for Smart People would make for a very unique and thoughtful gift this holiday season.

Thanks again Steve! Wishing you all the Best! I look forward to watching this scale the Amazon charts.

~Mitch W. Steel
www.succcess.org

where’s the cat? why the stone sculpture? you tell me.

“It’s not the strongest of the species nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

~Charles Darwin

Change Happens.

NOW is a great time to determine how flexible and adaptable you are.

It’s hilarious to me that many people can’t wrap their head around PD (personal development) as though there’s a sort of stigma attached to it which likely originated from the designation of the “Self-Help” category publishers are so fond of using. What’s ‘funny’ about it of course is these are the same people who think they are perfect (the problem is everyone else) and yet, for some reason they’re not sure why they don’t have more ’success’ in life.

Who knows? All I know is that without the constant pursuit of personal development/improvement to outpace the compounding effects of change along with the mindset to embrace and accept the challenges said change brings about, my life would be very different.

“It takes humility to seek feedback. it takes wisdom to understand it, analyze it, and appropriately act on it.
~ Stephen R. Covey

I’m truly of the school of thought that Covey speaks of. Consider his above quote, Humility - the ability to seek feedback, to listen, be aware and self-correct by appropriately acting. To refine one’s Character (the 2nd C). Such action requires humility and intelligence but most importantly as Darwin points out, it requires the adaptability to change!

Hence, the reason I’m seemingly addicted to PD (personal development) to “Sharpening the Saw” (Covey’s 7th Habit of the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”) and helping others to create such awareness. Hence, the creation of “The 3 C’s of SUCCCESS” a motivational eBook outlining a simplified approach of the three essential requirements for ANY person to create their ideal future. All contained within the context of constant self-improvement.

By pursuing personal development one: a) acknowledges and embraces the concept that life is not static. That they must learn, adapt and grow just to keep pace with the world (at the very least) and to excel in the best case scenario. And, b) helps to remind people that if they continue to do the same things they did yesterday, last week or last year (even if they were successful) they are in for a rude awakening.

We are curious creatures indeed! The evidence is all around us. Take the auto, photo or publishing industries as a few basic examples. What once worked for any of these - what once made each super successful and provided large profits has now become obsolete! The old products, processes and methodologies won’t suffice. Change not only happens - it’s inevitable. TIME TAKES NO PRISONERS! So why - prêt ell, do you think you can continue to do the same things you did yesterday, last week or last year and achieve favorable results?

The U.S. education system is another brutal reminder of the powerful affects of change when we fail to adapt! Today, nearly 50% of our high school kids drop out! Frankly, I don’t blame them. We are teaching our kids the same curriculum the same way we did in the 1950s! Pardon my French, but that is retarded in the truest definition of the word. (definition: 1. To keep delaying; to continue to hinder; to prevent from progress; to render more slow in progress; to impede; to hinder; as, to retard the march of an army; to retard the motion of a ship; — opposed to accelerate). Our education system is retarded.

Today’s high school kids are smarter, more technologically savvy and in some cases better equipped for the present work environment perhaps, than many of the teachers. Yet, you’d never know it due to the large numbers of kids who drop out. I have personal experience with a super bright 17 year old that was so bored by the curriculum and the uninspired methods of teaching that he dropped out. He then went on to ace the Science portion of the G.E.D. with very little preparation.

I could go on about the education system and how ‘broke’ it is. Yet, this isn’t designed to slam the teachers who are just doing what is asked of them and are severely underpaid. It’s simply another illustration of the importance to acknowledge the powerful affects of change and the obligation we ALL have to keep up with it - to simply adapt or perish.

Photo courtesy Flickr by mrlins

Q:
Any idea what is keeping you from getting everything you want from life?

A:
YOU.

(sorry)

More specifically, YOU must take total and absolute RESPONSIBILITY for your station in life. This becomes your first obligation. People of significant achievement first assume absolute responsility for where they are and then identify what will be required of them to realize change. This unwavering ‘reality’ statement is undoubtedly one of the reasons why “The 3 C’s of SUCCCESS“, has so quickly become one of the most popular personal development success ebooks. “The 3 C’s of SUCCCESS” already ranks on the front page for two of the three BIG search engines (’quality’). While this isn’t designed to be an advertisement for the ebook, I want to be certain people recognize this isn’t some ‘fluffly’ blog or success ebook designed to tell people they are perfect the way they are. CLEARLY SOMETHING IS AMISS!

Look, if you are seeking something new or different then SOMETHING MUST CHANGE. Undoubtedly some improvement is required should you be missing any of the things in life you currently desire. As T. Robbins likes to say, “If you do the things you’ve always done, you’re going to get what you always got.” BTW: ten out of ten times the ‘thing’ that must change is YOU.

Sorry again.

While you are undoubtedly a great person/CREATURE capable of remarkable things some positive change is clearly required! “The 3 C’s of SUCCCESS“, contains over 90 pages of valuable, proven content (’quality’) and the results, comments and emails are representative of that. If you are seeking something differnt or better in your life, you’ll find substance and ‘quality’ here. (read “Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance” and you’ll understand why ‘quality’ is quoted). Also, you’ll come to truly appreciate that the only place “success comes before work is in the dictionary.” (Lombardi)

Too many people ask, “WHERE DO I START?” As detailed in the ebook - the ONLY place to start after you define success is with YOU! You must start with a significant inventory of your assets and your liabilities - your strengths and your weaknesses. Successful people identify their strengths AND perhaps most importantly their weaknesses* (email mitchwsteel at  gmail.com for the personal evaluation form). The ebook provides a clear and simple character analysis checklist to help guide you and further illustrate the importance your CHARACTER has on your ability to achieve lasting success.

Speaking of CHARACTER, the purpose of this week’s post is for you to identify how FLEXIBLE you are. The most flexible people are, of course, the most tolerant and they are therefore the ones who get along well with others. This is a CHARACTER requirement for a high achiever and it represents a large part of the essence of the second “C” CHARACTER.

As I’m sure you’ve come to know, those who are inflexible just rub people the wrong way (see 4 images to know post). They fail to grasp Covey’s 5th habit (link 7 habits) “SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD”.

Additionally, inflexibility impairs one’s ability to learn, grow and ultimately to become successful. Why does a five year old boy learn faster (about 5 times faster) then a Harvard PhD? Answer: Inflexibility/Judgement! The PhD sits down to learn something and is filled with all sorts of preconceived notions of what she already knows; what is “true” and “false”, “good” and “bad”. However, the young boy simply has an open (flexible) mind.

The INTRODUCTION of the “The 3 C’s” has been praised for sharing the story of the Zen Master who pours hot tea into the student’s cup - until it overflows and the Master continues to pour. The student shouts, “Master! My cup is already full!” as the tea spills all over the table. And so it is, the Master explains, “you do understand… I too can not add to your cup if it is already full”.

Your preconceived notions, your ‘knowledge’ of what you think you know - what is ‘right’ and ‘good’ and WHO is ‘right’ and ‘good’ are very likely obstacles of thought and habits constructed by you - now likely impeeding you.

Regard the following Lao Tzu comments with great care,

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it”.

When your character is yeilding and flexible like water who can resist you? Or, view this from the opposite angle; consider your most likeable friend, the one that immediately comes to mind. Is he/she easy-going, warm and friendly? Is she not ‘flexible’ or yeilding and easy to be with?

Here’s another Tzu beauty…

“One who is too insistent upon his views finds few agree with him”.

Now, consider for a moment, “smart-guy”. You know him, he’s the wise A$# who knows everything and wants to be sure everyone knows his opinion. (you may know him very well!) BTW: The next time this guy starts telling you what he thinks about subject “XYZ” feel free to share this… (overheard from a General’s briefing re: the war in Iraq), “you know, the great thing about an opinion is you don’t really have to know anything to have one.” Perhaps a tad harsh but likely to get the point across.

So, the moral is clear and simple. Begin with YOU. Start with a simple investigation into your CHARACTER. Examine your willingness to be flexible and open to new ideas, concepts, people and of course personal growth.

until next week…

~Mitch W. Steel

photo courtesy Terry Bain, Flickr

“I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the “lower animals” (so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of man. I find the result humiliating to me.” ~Mark Twain

Perhaps one of the very best way I know to simultaneous test and develop your CHARACTER is to adopt a puppy.

I’ve now had two dogs and I can attest to the powerful impact dog ownership has had on the development of my character. My first dog, Hercules was a mini-Lab I adopted when I was 22. He was about eight weeks old at the time. That was perhaps the scariest and greatest commitment of my life to that point. He passed away 15 years later and thanks to him so many great fortunes crossed my path - starting with my wife.

When I adopted ‘Herc’ I was still in college, no job, no real responsibility. When he died, I was married with two daughters and a founding partner of two companies. We went through a lot together. I do miss the “little man” dearly and I can never repay him for all those qualities which he bestowed upon me. Most of which I never realized until he was gone.

However, this isn’t about Herc, this is about Roxy.

Just over a year ago, and at the urging of the wifey (aka the boss) and, for the benefit of our young daughters we decided to adopt a puppy from a local shelter. What an experience that has been! Our good fortune found us a dog (sheep herder) who came to us exceedingly anxious, hyper and extremely frightened (likely from being torn from her mother at a very young age). While her personality has matured a great deal - the process has been a very slow and trying one, testing our resolve on a daily basis.

So, just the other day when Roxy was stealing some food off my daughter’s plate, I found myself reflecting just how profound this experience has been. About how many great life lessons I’ve gained from making this questionable decision. And, about the life-long impact this will have on our family. Coincidently, so many of these lessons in CHARACTER are straight from the list in “The 3 C’s of SUCCCESS” all certainly prerequisites for anyone to be successful in life.

Responsibility: Adopting or buying a puppy is a serious endeavor. The shelter makes sure you understand this isn’t just a cute toy but a significant responsibility. You are in it for the long-haul for better or worse.

Tolerance: How are you going to respond when you find your very best shoes are chewed up and the puppy has had another ‘accident’ on the carpet for seemingly the hundredth time.

Selflessness: Adoption is truly a selfless act for the sake of the puppy. This isn’t about you and it becomes your responsibility to keep her feed, healthy and protected.

Kindness: It’s impossible for me to understand those who aren’t kind to such warm-hearted animals. Kindness is her true nature - when she climbs over the girls and likes their face until they giggle uncontrollably. This kindness is returned ten-fold.

Love (unconditional): This is the only way the puppy knows how to live. After only a few days this dog won’t care about anything else on the planet other than you. Just leave her for ten minutes and return and it’s as if you’ve been gone for ten years! And, even if you have the worst day possible, the puppy won’t care. She’ll be right by your side offering unconditional love.

Resourcefulness: you will find a way to make it work, to spend time with her - to walk her and to feed her.

Patience: Trust me on this.

Communication: Both you and your puppy will learn to communicate and understand each other in an absolutely unique way.

Discipline: You both will receive a healthy amount of discipline. You’ll find that your schedule must account for her and she’ll find that she must learn to obey you.

Exercise: She’ll force the issue and you’ll be much better for it. You’ll feel better getting outside with her. She simply demands exercise.

Fun: She’s all about fun. Frisbee NOW! JUMP! JUMP! Bark! JUMP!

Rest: Dogs know how to play and they know how to rest. We are instructed to pay careful attention.

Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
~Mark Twain

 Until next time.

~MWS

Image courtesy Flickr by pmuellr

Seems we all want a guarantee these days.

Similar to the microwave ‘complex’ (post) the majority of people seem to fear failure. They seek certainty. Who can blame them? Unfortunately, the problem with certainty is it simply doesn’t exist- not in this world. Don’t take my word for it. Consider this quote straight out of Wikipedia, “It is widely held that certainty is a failed historical enterprise“. How good is that?

The absence of any certainty creates FEAR.

(Zig Ziglar acronym for FEAR is; False Evidence Appearing Real) which prevents people from trying new ideas, learning new things and often times even pursuing their dreams. Simply put, FEAR can cripple one’s ability to create their ideal future.

Fear is the path to the dark side
Fear leads to anger
Anger leads to hated
Hate leads to suffering
~Yoda

Have you ever considered what the opposite of SUCCESS is. Remember, it’s probably best to have a definition of success and preferably not some trite little slogan like “to have a lot of money and a lot of friends”. I humbly recommend you figure out that definition prior to attempting to understand its opposite. (see earlier post).

So what is failure and what is its definition? (a good question indeed) Typically, students tell me failure equals the opposite of success. But, we all wondered collectively, could that really be the opposite of success?

Consider Thomas Edison and his 10,000 + failures to develop the light bulb. Had he not “failed” so many times he wouldn’t have realized the end result - the incandescent light bulb. No, “failure” you should be VERY HAPPY to note is NOT the opposite of success.

I came upon a great answer many years back in one of my early ‘Success Skills’ classes. A wonderful Hispanic girl, I can’t recall her name, provided an answer so profound I nearly fell down. “Hopelessness” she declared with a sense of pride. I was so blown way. “That is it!” Of course, who could possibly become a success if they are hopeless? Without hope there is no possible way to succeed! And, with hope all things are possible.

I strongly encourage you to always maintain a sense of hope. Hope is both a thought and an emotion only YOU can control! Typically, when one feels hopeless they are forecasting a dismal future. They are leaving the NOW, the present moment and putting their attention and focus (even using their imagination toward an image or an outcome that is totally discouraging). The ‘reality’, of course, is they have the ability to use those same ‘mental tools’ to project from a hopeful perspective and to positively envision a victorious outcome just as they might a discouraging one.

Often times, hopelessness arises from the absence of certainty. Since we now understand certainty to be nothing more than an illusion we can feel liberated rather than discouraged! If there is no certainty - you have nothing to fear. GO FOR IT! Those who are successful are not only the people who have failed multiple times, they are the same brave souls who recognize there are no guarantees! That success is a process and failure is a requirement for success.

When one can accept these truths; that failure is a prerequisite for success and that certainty is an illusion, they are likely to find the route to success much more enjoyable and ‘arrive’ far more quickly.

You are encouraged to move forward bravely. To use your powers of imagination to aid you in the attainment of your goals and not to let fear or uncertainty prevent your from taking those critical initial steps. (see Belief Tree post below).

~MWS
P.S.: This will be the last month to download the full version of “The 3 C’s of SUCCCESS” the success ebook at no cost. The Book is going to print next month and the download version will then be abreviated. Be sure to download and share the link with your loved ones while the full copy is available at no cost.

All the best. Enjoy!

Photo: Flickr by Michael Heilemann

"Whether you think you can or you can't,
you are right."
~Henry Ford

This quote, in my estimation, may be Ford’s best invention. Perhaps, even better than his invention of the automobile for mass production.

It explains succinctly, and yet very accurately, the vital role of BELIEF in the workings of your life. You simply can’t be successful in any endeavor if you don’t first start with the proper mindset - a belief in your ultimate success.

Yes, your mindset - how you view the world and your place within it -and your belief “system” (related paradigm) control your ability to reach your intended target. And, here’s the kicker–FROM THE VERY START!

Our core beliefs fall into two MASTER categories which are not unlike the core underlying “boot” records in computer terminology - which are called Master Boot Records.

(excerpt “SUCCCESS, The 3 C’s”, The Success eBook by Mitch W. Steel) If we follow that analogy and apply it to our belief systems - we have essentially two Master Belief Records (MBRs) that affect our lives and determine our ultimate destiny. These would be 1) Our Self-Belief Record “SBR” (essentially, self-esteem) and 2) Our External Belief-Record “EBR”. That is, how you regard everything you encounter external to your self.

The successful person recognizes the power of these two beliefs - she becomes aware of their importance and how to manipulate them to her advantage. She understands that how she views herself - her SBR, essentially sets her level of achievement and what she deems achievable in her life. Similarly, her EBR determines how she views her external world (friendly or oppressive) and this too begins to define her place in that world and what she is likely to experience in her external world.

Possessing the awareness to recognize that you are the only one who establishes and sets up your Master Belief Records which then ultimately define your life’s outcome- is an essential first step to setting up the “rules” that allow you to “WIN” or “Lose” the game of life. The great news is, should you come to recognize your Master Belief Records are not currently setup in a fashion that allows you to win - you have the ability to reset them anytime you’d like!

Consider that the world offers us countless examples of people who, as they must, self-actualize their Master Belief Records - their core belief systems. These two critical existential vantage points- how people view themselves and how they view the world - literally control and direct the manifestation of everything they are able to realize - including their success.

Here again, the simple reveals the profound. If I believe people are not going to help me become successful - what type of people might I expect to see in my life? If I think people are always looking to take advantage of me? What type of people might I expect to see in my life? If I’m concerned people only want my money and aren’t interested in being my friend - what type of people might I see in my life? In each case I’ve directed my ATTENTION and FOCUS in a way that makes “winning” the game near impossible.

Yes, your Master Belief Records affect everything!

If I were to setup my external MBR with its most fundamental “root” belief - “people are selfish”. This leads to the sub-binary belief then that people are not likely to help me when I need it most or perhaps when I’m looking for a job. As you can see - this establishes a “game” that is nearly un-winnable or at the very least - makes it extremely hard to win.

Our beliefs allow us to arrange the associated thoughts in a fashion that makes “winning” possible or impossible. It is your choice.

Above, you’ve seen a simple diagram to help illustrate this binary relationship. It is literally called the “GAME TREE” - and demonstrates how a software programmer has offered the binary consequences within the game-program. In other words, what a winning set of binary combinations (decisions/choices) might be. These binary beliefs either setup the player to win or lose. Or, in our case, to realize her ideal future or not.

Whether we know it or not, as we establish our Master Belief Records they then generate sub beliefs which all eventually lead us down a path that is either a successful outcome or one filled with disillusionment and frustration.

Sadly, so many people actually start this “game” of life- believing they don’t have a shot. Or, more accurately, through continued “failures” and disappointments- become disillusioned and then create self-defeating Master Belief Records. The successful people though are those who believe (and this is the kicker) that life is a “winnable” game from the outset!

So, is this life a winnable “game”?

You tell me.

Photo by maveric2003 Flickr

When I last reviewed the “New IQ” concept, I was approached afterward by a nice young man and he suggested he didn’t understand how this might apply to him. His statement was basically, “I have a job where my boss doesn’t even pay much attention to anything I say. What should I do?”

First, I commended him, not a bad question. I then reiterated a series of questions Napoleon Hill provides in his “Science of Personal Achievement” (link below, highly recommended) and offered a few of these for his consideration.

Can you suggest five rules of conduct that would make anyone more popular with his or her associates?
Can you name five things that you can do that might bring you a promotion and greater pay?
Can you name five benefits that you might enjoy by going the extra mile - that is rendering more service and better service than you are paid to?
Is there a recommendation for a product or service that your company could offer which it doesn’t currently that may make the company more money?

“A problem (question) well defined is half-answered”~MWS

When you get down to it, your ability to get what you want from life and your intelligence is essentially the effective result of the quality questions you’ve asked.

This “questioning dialogue” is absolutely essential to manifest your success.

Consider Albert Einstein, certainly regarded as one of the smartest people ever to walk the face of this earth. Do you not think that his day consisted of a series of endless questions? Regarding light he asked, “Why does light seem to reflect differently?” Can light bend? “If I traveled at the speed of light would I see my reflection in a mirror?”

Questions. Endless questions.

Einstein’s questions were unique and he was a supremely creative man. He epitomized the importance of having such an inquisitive nature.  Consider the time he imagined what might happen if he were riding on a beam of light.

What an astonishing question!

This seemingly simple inquiry literally shook the very foundation of physics.

Had Einstein focused exclusively on his existing knowledge and not taken such a great mental, visionary leap by QUESTIONING, IMAGINING and VISUALIZING himself “riding” a beam of light, the entire face of science may be vastly different. These profound questions were of course the basis of his “Theory of Relativity”.

“So what?” You may ask. “How does this apply to me?”

Well, for starters, in order for you to be truly “smart” it’s imperative you start asking some very good, RELATIVE questions as they apply to your life and your goals!

What do you want from this life?
How are you going to get it?
What service can you provide? What unique insight or skills do you offer?
Where do you want to live?
What kind of people do you wish to be surrounded by?
If you had a million dollars at this moment how might it change you daily lifestyle?

Then, there are the more general and practical life questions to consider.

Can you provide a definition of “success” (see earlier post).
Can you say what position you wish to be holding five years from now and how much income you hope to be earning?

Questions mandate attention and create focus. This awareness helps to harness and cultivate your imagination which provides the necessary creativity required to manifest your ideal outcome. Yes, questions ARE indeed the answer. Or, to put it even better, “you can’t have all the answers until you’ve asked all the right questions”.

If you aren’t already, begin to utilize your god-given, inquisitive nature and begin asking some good questions.

How do you know if they are the “good” questions. Simple - they are questions directed toward helping you achieve your goals and desired outcome. They are not superfluous questions regarding random, misdirected events. Quality questions regarding your success will help to propel both your IMAGINATION and CREATIVE VISION and facilitate the creation of your ideal future - your success!

So, the QUESTION IS, “where do you begin?” Excellent question.

~Mitch W. Steel
www.succcess.org

The Science of Personal Achievement: Follow in the Footsteps of the Giants of Success