Success is a seven letter word that means different things to different people. One of my favorite definitions of “success” is this: “…the achievement of intention or the achievement of something planned or attempted…or the favorable outcome of something attempted.” By using this definition, it is possible for practically anyone to achieve success if they take the time and energy to identify a goal and intentionally focus on achieving that goal.
Therefore, the first step to achieving true success is to identify and define what success will look like to you and then determine how you will measure that success. That is what most people fail to do. For example, one person may identify that personal financial success for them would be to have $10,000 in a savings account within the next 24 months. That person may get intentional and focused with the amounts they plan to set aside in this account each week or month.
When they achieve their intentions and what they are out to achieve, i.e., $10,000 in a savings account, they have achieved success.
But a word of caution here! There are those who would identify their personal financial success as having $1,000 in savings, others $100, and even others $100,000! Success is defined by the individual and is achieved and measured by differing standards.
Some measure success by their job status, financial achievements, or the power they hold. Others measure success by relational achievement, such as being a good mother, having a loving relationship, or a happy family or their relationship with God.
Success may appear to be simple but it not easy. Most people do not realize that true success begins with your thinking. Thousands of years ago, the wisest (and also richest) wrote “As a man thinks in his heart, so he is…” What and how you think does matter and it forms the person you become.
Although, most people are very anxious to change their circumstances, they are unwilling to change themselves. Your circumstances won’t improve until you improve yourself.
In order to discover true success, you must get very intentional and focused with your thinking and planning, and then on your “doing.” The first step is to first focus on your thoughts–with intention and on purpose. It is important to look not only at what you are thinking but also your “mindset,” or on your thinking habits.
In the recently published book “Success Simplified” which I co-authored with Stephen Covey and Patricia Fripp, I identified seven pillars of success which are actually mindsets or habits of thinking, where you intentionally focus on what success means to you and then develop mindsets to achieve that success.
The definition of a mindset is: “A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations; an inclination or habit.”
These seven mindsets form the foundation for building the life you were destined to live. A successful life requires successful thinking.
The Seven Pillars are the foundations of your life–or your “house.” Thousands of years ago, the prophet wrote this: “Wisdom has built her house on Seven Pillars…” When you make the decision that you want to build a successful life, you must be very intentional and focused on your thinking habits which can be the foundation of a successful life.
Remember that the definition of “success” I am using is “…the achievement of intention: the achievement of something planned or attempted…” If you seek success for your life, you must be able to identify and define what success means to you.
The Seven Pillars of Success are the following mindsets: The Mindset of Purpose; The Mindset of Possibility; The Mindset of Passion; The Mindset of a Plan; The Mindset of Priorities; The Mindset of a Promise-Keeper; and The Mindset of Perseverance
What would hinder someone from developing these mindsets? Mind blocks! Mind blocks are the sworn enemies of mindsets. The definition of a mind block is “an inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension.”
Consider that your life is a book. Your story was meant to be incredible. In fact, you were created for brilliance! These mind blocks may have kept the “story” of your life as dull and boring, meaningless and without any luster or shine–with no purpose. And maybe you would even classify your life as “unsuccessful” or “meaningless.” Mind blocks could also be called “amnesia of the soul.”
In other words, these mind blocks have hindered your natural tendency to create focus and clarity on what you know deep inside of you would bring “success” into your life. These mind blocks have deep, entrenched roots into your heart. These roots may go as deep as 20, 30 or 40 years. There are hundreds of mind blocks but to name a few: fear, impossibility, apathy, mediocrity, selfishness, procrastination, and lack of resolve. Any one mind block can cause you to forget how your real life story was intended to be written.
You must create new thinking habits and develop thought patterns that will break through and destroy the mind blocks that keep you from building a successful life.
When you understand how mind blocks have kept you from the life you were destined to live and you can begin to develop the mindsets necessary to break through and destroy mind blocks, you have taken over the authorship of your own story. You take back control of your mind, your will and your emotions, and begin to script your life story as it was intended. And that story is going to be outstanding, and purposeful–and successful!
Parts of this article are excerpted from the book “Success Simplified” by
Louise Thaxton, Stephen Covey and
Patricia Fripp—available by
e-mailing
