You too can be successful, it's all in your hands

Many people go through life with a feeling of doubt and insecurity. There seems to be a never-ending string of reasons we can’t succeed and so we throw up our hands and give up. Others, however, defy this pattern and take calculated steps to minimize their doubts and better understand their capabilities. It's all in your head. The biggest mistake you can make in your personal and professional life is holding yourself back without reason. True self-improvement is hard work, but there are ways to make it easier on yourself. So change your mindset and learn the power of delusion. It's OK to go into any game believing you can win.

I remember one of my earliest professional experiences. I was fresh out of college and didn't know anything about the employment sector. I was called to a meeting and told to come and speak to a team of people, who would make a decision about the future of my career and my future. I walked into that meeting and asked for a lot of what I considered to be basic information. They refused to answer any of my questions, and I walked away baffled and disappointed. That experience, however, taught me something about persuasion and how to give your message the desired results.

I have used this lesson, along with other persuasion techniques over the years, to help change the course of my own career and my career path. I can remember times when I was really down about an obstacle I was facing. I was alone and didn't know what to do. I would speak to others and bounce ideas off them. Soon, others began to see how I was not afraid and believed I could prevail.

There are a lot of people that would doubt your abilities, and it's ok to experience that, but you shouldn't be your own doubter. You owe yourself the duty to prove doubters wrong and prove to yourself that you have what it takes to succeed.

Stop the negative self-talk

It's very easy for some people to become hopeless. They give up and they become cynical. They walk around with this sick feeling that they cannot accomplish their goals. It's only natural to go through this at times, but you must keep pressing forward to reach your full potential. Learn to identify when you're having a pity party and bring yourself back to the present and what is really going on. When negative thoughts fill your mind, you are no longer being your own cheerleader. It's time to break the pattern and face the reality.

You might ask what can you do about negative self-talk. In the simplest terms, you need to change your thoughts. It doesn't mean you need to forget about your goals. It means you need to start saying things that fuel your desire for success. For example, if you want to pursue your dream career and you begin to give up on it, your mindset should be, "I am a hard-working person, and I will persevere through any difficulties I am faced with." When you want something, you have to keep putting yourself in the right positions. You must persist in the pursuit of your dream. It's all in the mind, and you need to alter your mindset to reflect your future reality.

Fess up

We all know someone who feels they always have to look good and can't do the simplest task. In many cases, that person is emotionally disconnected from reality and convinced that they have to hold others responsible in their journey to success. One of my best friends, who is a successful businessman, tells me how he wishes he had never become so self-centered. He went to school and got a great job that paid well. He then gave up on his dream and went to work for someone else. He didn't realize he had left his dream and went on a different path, and he needed to start living his dream again.

When we have one friend who is going on about something we are currently doing, we might want to change direction. We feel we aren't going to do as well as that friend, but we feel our friend's success will somehow rub off on us. Let me tell you, if you start thinking like this, you will never achieve your dreams. When someone else is successful, they are competing with someone else. That's life. Just because someone else has the trophy doesn't mean you're not winning your own game.

Take responsibility

Success is hard to achieve, and failure is even harder to deal with. Sometimes we try and we realize we aren't cut out for the profession. We need to own up to our mistakes and start doing what we know is right. Failure can actually be good in the sense that it gives us the opportunity to learn from our mistakes. It's the way we handle failure that separates us from those that never fail. So, if you want to be successful, take responsibility for your actions and make changes that will lead to success.

Sometimes we need to start from the bottom and work our way up, and that can be challenging. But if you can persevere, you can make it. Don't let people tell you you can't accomplish your goals. Don't be afraid to dream big. Create your vision board and fill it with the things that will lead to success. Remember, your vision will make your dreams possible. God knows you can achieve anything you put your mind to, so reach out to him and ask for guidance. His mercies are new every morning. He wants you to have all the dreams you've ever dreamed, so make it happen.

conclusion

The secret to success is not a secret at all. You just need to want it badly enough. You have to have a good work ethic and you must believe in yourself. You need to be smart enough to do the right thing, and you need to work hard. Be the type of person that people want to be around. You must create a life that reflects your values and goals.

Here is a challenge to you: spend a week thinking about the life you want. Make a vision board with your goals, values, and dreams. Spend some time in the presence of God. Ask for his guidance, and listen to His word. Spend time with your family. Learn how to love and be loved.

You are the one that has to work hard and be smart to get where you want to be. Even the most successful people don't get where they are just by being fortunate. You have to work hard for what you want, and that is the secret. Before you know it, your vision board will be full and your dream will be realized.

Don't let other people tell you you can't. Don't let success go to your head, and don't forget that you are human and you can make mistakes. Don't be afraid to dream big, and work hard to achieve your goals.