WHAT MAKES A WINNER

Genuine, lasting success is never an accident. It is the result of personal character. I've observed six qualities in winners who I've worked with over the years. Here's my list with a proverb from the Bible for each of them:

1. WORK WITH A PURPOSE

Winners always have a sense of mission. They know where they are headed and have figured out how to get there. They are focused. They plan their work and work their plan.

"The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves." PROVERBSs 14:8

2. INSIST ON INTEGRITY

Nothing lasts without integrity.Winners tell the truth. They don't have to worry about telling a lie.

"Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner." PROVERBS 13:6 NIV

3. NEVER MAKE ExCUSES

Winners never play the blame game. They accept responsibility for their mistakes.People who are good at making excuses are rarely good at anything else.

"People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." PROVERBSs 28:13

4. NEVER STOP LEARNING

All leaders are learners-the moment you stop learning, you stop leading. The dinosaurs became extinct because they could not adaptto a changing environment. Can you?

"Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open to knowledge." PROVERBS 18:15

5. ECONOMIZE TIME AND ENERGY

We all have the sameamount of time, but winners manage it better. They realize that time is more valuable than money. They work smarter, not harder.

"Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest." PROVERBS 20:4

6. RESOLVE TO STICK WITH IT

Winners don't know how to quit. They keep on "keeping on." They learn from their failures. Winners realize that discouragement is a choice. You can get up and start over.

"Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.." PROVERBs 24:16A NIV

Why don't you ask God to help you build these six quall-ties into your life? Proverbs 3:6 says, "Seek [God's] will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.