STOOL FOR SUCCES

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do.

Attitude determines how well you do it." Lou Holtz

There are three basic areas of your life that needs to be considered whether or not you are successful in your endeavors. Unless these three are evenly connected you will not be successful. If you have only one or two, still not be successful. You must have the entire tree working together. Consider them like the three legs of a “stool of success.”

First is ability

"If a man has talent and cannot use it, he has failed. If he has a talent and uses only half of it, he has partly failed. If he has a talent and learns somehow to use the whole of it, he has gloriously succeeded and has a satisfaction and a triumph few men ever know." Thomas Wolfe.

The ability you have is the level at which you are able to actually do things. And this is what I call your skill level. It is really good if you have a high level of skill. And the better you have it developed, the better it will be for you. The effectivity and efficiency of your performance is strongly dependent on your high skill levels. This will bring you success in your chosen field.

Even in the area of giving and helping, the Bible says that “every man according to his ability, determined to send relief…” – Acts 11:29. Whatever talent you have, develop it till it becomes a skill. If you have good attitude and motivation but poor skills, people will like you, maybe even stick for you, but go to someone else with the skills they need.

"The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what a man or woman is able to do that counts," - Booker T. Washington. And this is so true. People will judge you on what you accomplish, not what you know or what you talk about.

That truth is that if you know a lot or talk a lot but do not accomplish anything, people will wonder what happened. So the question is whether or not you will take the actions necessary to deliver on your best potential.

Second is motivation

“We exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all,” – 1 Cor. 5:14, emphasis included.

Paul in his word is motivating. He was in the level at which he was able to find a reason for action. This is the internal drive that you find that enables you to exercise your abilities. To the degree that you can find a way, or ways; to keep yourself motivated, you will see yourself right in the thick of things, carrying out your actions to the best of your abilities and succeed accordingly.

"If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves." – Thomas A. Edison. By doing what you are able to do that you know are right and timely, the more you can motivate and get motivated.

Third is attitude

"Whether you stay six weeks, six months or six years, always leave it better than you found it." Jim Rohn.

Your Attitude will always show.

Attitude is a mental state that you have while carrying out your actions to the best of your ability. It is the way you view the world around you and choose to see it, either positively or negatively. When you can maintain a positive attitude about yourself, others, and the circumstances you find yourself in, you will see yourself achieving greater things.

Attitude is very important. You can be the most skilled and motivated but with a rotten attitude, people will stay away and hinder your success.

Likewise, you may have great skills and attitude but no motivation; surely you'll be sitting on the couch like an idle slothful person while the best achievers are out there making money and make your dream their footstool. “Idleness is stupidity of the body, and stupidity is the idleness of the mind,” - Suetonius

To conclude this chapter, I want to share with you the three rules for success by Lou Holtz: 1) “Do what's right: Be on time, be polite, and be honest; remain free from drugs; and if you have any questions, get your Bible. 2) Do your best: Mediocrity is unacceptable when you are capable of doing better. “To do nothing is the way to be nothing,” – Nathaniel Howe 3) and treat others as you want to be treated: Practice love and understanding.” The most beautiful and wonderful in this life is not the once you see but the once you feel.