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Why Some Succeed and Others Fail

What is it about success—that elusive mystery that we're all searching for, but that so few find? Some people just seem to hit on success at every turn, like they have a special monopoly on the market, while others struggle perpetually, barely inching along in life. Which are you?

Some people enjoy abundant financial supply; others live in constant need. Some people make goals and reach them; others lose track of where they're going and run into dead end after dead end. Some people are fit and energetic; others are fat, lazy, and lethargic.

These are just a few examples, but you get the idea.

What makes the difference?

Check out this article on the seven "C's" of success. Of course, this isn't the all-in-all, and the Lord is ultimately the One Who brings lasting success, but there are certain established principles which, if lived, will help us (and the Lord's work) along that road of success. So have a read; ponder and consider how you can put more "skin" on the principles. Take the time. It could make a difference between your success and failure.

The Seven C's Of Success

After having studied top achievers and peak performers over the past 25 years, I've concluded that these unique men and women have, in most cases, mastered what I call the Seven C's of Success.

Clarity—Eighty percent of success comes from being clear on who you are, what you believe in and what you want.

Application: What do you want out of life… I mean REALLY want? Your Home has detailed strategy plans, so that is clear. But what about you personally?—How much do you believe in the Offensive goals of your Home, and what exactly are you willing to do to help make those goals a reality? What are your gifts? What do you contribute or bring to the table of success in your Home?

Competence—You can't climb to the next rung on the ladder until you are excellent at what you do now.

Application: If you aren't excellent, you can become excellent. What are you doing to learn skills that will make you excellent in your ministry or field of interest; what are you doing to become a major player in your Home and/or area in the Offensive? Work at it!

Constraints—Eighty percent of all obstacles to success come from within. Find out what is constraining you or your company and deal with it.

Application: Is there something that's holding you back, or holding back your witness, your ministry or Home? Disunity? Disobedience? Disbelief? (Wow, those are three bad "dis-es"!) Find out what it is that's holding you back and make it right.

Concentration—The ability to focus on one thing single-mindedly and see it through until it's done takes more character than anything else.

Application: How are you at accomplishing what you set out to do—whether big or small tasks or endeavors? How many undone projects are hanging around in your life? Do you get bored easily and then say, "This isn't fun anymore. I'm going on to something else now." Clearly, that's not going to bring success. Undone projects don't get you anywhere. Do few things, do them well! Think: do, did, done!

Creativity—Flood your life with ideas from many sources. Creativity needs to be exercised like a muscle, if you don't use it you'll lose it.

Application: Open your mind to new input. You have all of Heaven at your command through the keys. But there are earthly avenues to enhance your creativity as well. Don't neglect to expand your mind with the Family's online training courses, the PMA, Home Spokesperson seminar (HSP), book summaries on the MO site, brainstorms with your friends, and seeking the help of mentors and professionals (and reading e-spresso, of course!).

Courage—Most in demand and least in supply, courage is the willingness to do the things you know are right.

Application: In this case we could say courage = conviction. Do what's right and God will bless you. Are you?

Continuous learning—Read, at the very least, one book a week to keep you miles ahead of the competition. And just as you eat and bathe, organize your time so you spend 30 minutes a day exploring e-mail, sending messages, going through web sites, because like exercise, it's the only way you can keep on top of technology. If you get away from it, you'll lose your edge.

Application: There are some really good book summaries on the MO site, check them out. Progressing in your knowledge of the web can be good (within godly guidelines), but that means more than just blogging, chatting or surfing fashion sites, or checking out the latest celebrity gossip. Pursue a godly and constructive interest/hobby. And don't forget that studying the local language too, is definitely a good way to apply this "continuous learning" C of success.

Now for some closing counsel from the Boss:

The Enemies of Success

Jesus: I want to give you a personalized list of the enemies in your life that pull you down and hold you back from rising above [succeeding].

Enemy One: Complaining and negativity. Strive to adopt the attitude on every occasion and at every instance where you're tested to "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Note: Make a list of any of your personal "situations." Are you truly content in each one? If not, pray and praise the spirit of contentment into every area of your life.

Enemy Two: Criticalness. Fight the tendency within you to become complacent and settled down in spirit. Beware of criticalness, even in small ways.

Enemy Three: Fight rigidity and dogmatism. As you grow older, it's a natural tendency to start getting into ruts, whether they be in your behavior, reactions, personal habits, pet peeves and preferences, or even in the way you look at life and others.

Enemy Four: The impulse to say, "I can't!" and "It can't be done!" You must resist the "it's impossible" tendencies in your life. All it requires is your giving yourself to Me and saying, "Jesus, I want to change, I need to change, and I'm willing to make the sacrifices involved in bringing that change to fruition." When you say, "I can't," it means that your thinking is centered on yourself and your circumstances rather than on Me. So you're defeated before you even start.

Enemy Five: The temptation to let down the standard, to seek the easy way out, the lazy way, to not challenge yourself and apply the Word to every facet of your life, not desiring to continue to change. I am the only antidote to resist spiritual degeneration in your life and give you back the glowing newness of a new spiritual babe, one who is so in love with her First Love and so desirous of becoming all that I want and know you can become.

Enemy Six: Dullness and pessimism. Are you no longer expecting miracles? Has it been a long time since you felt your heart leap with joy over some new truth—or since you did the unusual or offbeat thing, just out of sheer joy for Me and happiness at being one of My chosen few, one of My brides? If it has been a long time, then break out of your ruts and allow Me to surprise you, to thrill you‚ and to manifest My ability and power to regenerate and change you and give you even more zest and fervor for life and living than your earlier years! Strive to be an "up" person. Grab hold of enthusiasm and optimism as opposed to your natural tendency to be a "realist" on all occasions.

Enthusiasm for life and all I'm doing comes from living more in Me. Enthusiasm is the rainbow atop faith's sky; it puts a new positive light on things. So strive for the spirit of enthusiasm. That doesn't mean you won't stumble and fall sometimes, but an enthusiast even "falls forward."

Enemy Seven: Looking back. Forget those things that are behind (your habits and "natural" you), and reach forth unto those things that are before (the new "rising above" you). Expect miracles! Anticipate all that I'm going to do for and through you‚ because it has already been done; reach out in full faith and claim it as yours. Have a large vision—not a narrow one—of all that I'm going to do through you!

Recognizing these personal enemies to your faith will put you on the road to truly rising above [success]. Then you'll be blessed in every sense of the word. You won't be bothered or so easily irritated or stressed by external circumstances or little things that come up, by all the little nagging details of daily life that seek to pull you down so easily, for you will truly live in Me, drawing from Me, My internal reserves and springs of faith within you. The only qualification is your coming to Me, admitting you can't do it yourself, and then waiting on Me as I pour into you and give you the power to rise above [succeed]!

A price has to be paid for success. Almost invariably those who have reached the summits worked harder and longer, studied and planned more assiduously, practiced more self denial, overcame more difficulties than those of us who have not risen so far.—B. C. Forbes, 1880-1954, American Publisher

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