Over the next few weeks, I will be publishing the key chapters from the 2023 release of ‘Never Surrender – The secret to achieving greatness’. The release of this latest publication will coincide with my opening talks on both days at The Business Show :: Africa in September this year.
I hope the messages within the publication will make a positive difference in your life, the way they have for me. There are hundreds of success factors, but I have focused on the most prominent ones that have been dominant in my own journey, as well as those of life’s most successful people who I have had the privilege of meeting over the years.
My research shows that a lack of natural talent is irrelevant to great success. The secret is painful, demanding practice and hard work.
Are you willing to go after success? Do you have a clear vision? Do you have a burning desire? Are you willing to fail? If so, you are well on your way to realising your vision.
People who have become successful in changing the world have successfully conquered themselves first. They have transformed themselves from arrogant to humble, lazy to hardworking, negative to positive, unhappy to happy, ungrateful to grateful, pessimistic to optimistic, and unlikeable to likeable. They never quit and as part of the process of changing poor qualities to strong ones; they constantly think and behave like winners.
Think big and dare to dream. Give without expecting anything back. Be persistent even when it all looks too hard. Speak positively about yourself and others. Never stop learning. Smile even when no one is watching. Demand excellence from yourself. Take responsibility for everything that happens in your life. Practise integrity – always do what you say you will do. If you have integrity nothing else matters and if you don’t have integrity nothing else matters.
It’s all about passion, self-confidence, resilience, and that dogged quest for success. Nothing can stand in your way, and no one can stop you. You can become that unstoppable runaway success train.
Keep persevering no matter how hard it gets. Never stop trying, no matter how painful it feels or how unpopular you become. Just put one foot in front of the other until you get to where you want to be. Along the way you may be laughed at, your intentions will be second-guessed, and you will be told you’re fighting for something that doesn’t really matter. Do you keep moving towards where you want to be, or do you drop out of the race? Today can be your day to begin your success journey – which do you choose?
One thing is certain, at some time on our journey we will all experience some form of adversity. It is at this time that we need inner strength and resilience to conquer these challenges, come back and become the victor. Remember, whatever adversity we encounter is only temporary. Success is a given, but only if we decide that.
Over the years I have experienced my fair share of life-altering situations. Although it can be difficult to sustain a positive attitude while working through adverse situations. It is at these times that we will encounter our greatest strengths. Dig deep, work through, and learn to find purpose and meaning in these circumstances.
I have lived at the coal face my entire life, an unconventional and full life, filled with enormous success, happiness, and adversity. I am fortunate that I have been able to experience life and achieve what I set out to accomplish. I have been an entrepreneur almost my whole working life and I live daily with the entrepreneurial spirit – passion, perseverance, and persistence.
Each time I arrive at a T-junction, I know it is just one step closer to where I want to be. Instead of curling up in a ball and waiting for time to pass, I think about today and the inevitable success and happiness that lies ahead. This eases the pain and frustration. Overcoming the difficulties in my life was tough, but the hard times got my attention, released me from self-centeredness and prepared me for a meaningful future.
I have been fortunate enough to meet many of life’s most successful people, the mega-entrepreneurs. Those who have gone from zero to hero, many back to zero again, and then once again catapulting back to hero status. My ongoing goal is to understand these mercurial individuals and then communicate to others what it takes to go from zero to hero – how to start out in life with only what you have, then moving onto realising your entrepreneurial dreams!
Next week I will focus on having unshakeable belief in your ability to triumph by adopting the magic of tiny steps.
Until next week!
