Some Thoughts On "Success"...
 

The most successful people I know, and the ones I admire the most, are people who are actively contributing, to the best of their ability, to the betterment of some aspect of life.

A common characteristic I have noticed about these successful individuals is that, to a man and to a woman, they each have a specific, simply-stated (i.e., uncomplicated) INTENTION that is the driving force that motivates them in their actions and activities.

I also noticed that the successful person's intention always springs from an OBSERVATION and a significant, clear-cut DECISION.

Further, the successful person's intention directly relates to something they strongly know or feel is NEEDED or WANTED, either by themselves and/or by others.

Thus, the three precursors to success appear to be OBSERVATION, DECISION, and INTENTION, in that specific order.

The fourth factor, which arises from and is driven by INTENTION, is ACTION.

"Action", as I have seen it reflected in the successful individual, is not just "doing something". That's too general. ACTION, in the context of success, could be defined as "specific doing in the direction of a known objective", or better yet, "execution of intention".

To illustrate, suppose "Joe" (fictional character) notices that the streets of his town are always strewn with litter. This is OBSERVATION. Joe doesn't like it. But just observing the fact, of course, doesn't handle it.

One day, Joe realizes he's "had it" with the litter. He DECIDES "I am NOT going to live in a town with litter strewn all over the streets!" Still, nothing happens, and the litter continues to exist.

This the crucial point. Nothing is going to happen until someone generates the INTENTION to handle that litter! One could run away from the problem (Joe could decide to move to a different town). However, after thinking it over, Joe says to himself "OK, dang it, this is MY town! I am going to get the streets of this town cleaned up, once and for all, and I'm going to make sure they STAY clean no-matter-what!" This is a simply-stated intention.

Now, with this intention motivating him, Joe springs into action. He "does what it takes" to make it happen. He might do it as a volunteer, as a "litter activist", or he might do it as an entrepreneur, making money at it, say, by contracting with the town to keep the streets clean. In the end, Joe gets the job done, and he fits my definition of "a successful person", regardless of the financial aspect.

One might ask, "Isn't what you are calling 'intention' really just a decision?" Answer: Yes, but an "intention" is a SPECIAL kind of decision.

Inherent in an intention is the idea of action, follow-through, "making it happen", or whatever you want to call it. A simple decision is sort of a one time thing, "BAM!", "It's over, I decided". Many times people decide things (it's easy to do), but then nothing happens. A decision, by itself, does not change anything outside of the person himself or herself (i.e., out in the "real world"). What it takes to get something accomlished is intention, because intention is what drives action.

INTENTION, as I see it, is a CONTINUING, MOTIVATING decision. It's a decision that rides with you. It's always there, and it IS what motivates you. INTENTION comes out of one's OWN ideas of what is NEEDED or WANTED. Of course, finding out what is REALLY needed or wanted requires observation.

Thus, I believe that this is the basic sequence of success:

1. OBSERVE
2. DECIDE
3. INTEND
4. ACT

And I believe that this sequence applies broadly, from "volunteer success" to "entrepreneur success", and even to such things as "relationship success", "family success", etc.

What are YOUR thoughts?

---- Hugh

Re: Some Thoughts On "Success"...
 

I really think your "Thoughts On Success" are very perceptive. I agree with your post. It reminds me of a very good Wayne Dyer cassette I have that explains the power of intention as in, "I intend to do it" versus "I should do it" or "Maybe I'll do it", and the like. Anyway, Wayne Dyer can explain it better than I can (he better, he gets paid for it!:)

To your success,
Randy




Is it sinful to make money this easily?

Another motto
 

Hi,

"Do things that make a positive difference. Don't do things that don't make a positive difference."

Sometimes when people live like that, you say "Man, that person is focused!"

Hope this helps,

- Boyd

Re: Excellent post, Hugh . . .
 

in the mid 80's Bill Murray remade a movie called The Razor's Edge, based on a Somerset Maugham novel - not a comedy!

In it, the main character (Murray) ends up in India, determined to go to Tibet for enlightenment. On his way, he meets a wise old Indian innkeeper and tells him his plans. The wise man nods and says, "But what is your intention? You want to go to the monastery and gain enlightenment, but without an intention, you'll never get it".

Anyway, that's close to the dialog - I remember it because it impressed on me the difference between an endpoint (goal) and intention (goal with purpose beyond the endpoint).

Good post!

Bob

Twist: Another motto
 

Boyd shared...

> "Do things that make a positive
> difference. Don't do things that don't make
> a positive difference."

To add a Twist to that:

Only have things in your life that give you positive vibes and feelings.

Got an old photo - or photos - in your place that bring back bad/sad memories? Throw them out!

Got an ornament (bit or bob, nicknack, doo-dad, etc.,) that brings you down or has sadness attached to it in some way? Throw it (them) out!

Rid your house, home, apartment, van, bedsitter, room, etc., of any and all items that have any kind of negative element attached to it.

It doesn't matter that it may have been a gift from someone special. Get rid of it NOW! And if you wonder what the person who gave you the thing might think, ask yourself, "Would they expect me to keep it if they knew it was causing me distress?" If they are the special person you think, the answer would be "No." So get rid of it.

Even if the items are locked away in your attic or shed, get rid of them. Remove them from your enviroment (life) entirely. Your subconscious mind still knows they are there... and they are still having a negative influence on you.

Not only will this keep a positive influence in your environment, it will be a cleansing process as you get rid of the items. You may even feel the weight lifting as you toss the item out. Like instant relief.

Take this first step and you will experience a difference in how you feel. Try it, it works!

Michael Ross

What a Great Idea!THE most important, life-changing, business and money making idea you have been searching for could be within the pages of THE GREAT IDEAS LETTER... Click here now! to find out more.

Better yet - sell them on eBay or as chattel! (DNO)
 

Pay attention to intention using...
 

a to-do-list. Since the July 5th summit in Cuyahoga Falls, I have started using a small notepad (again) to write down things to do. Things that NEED to get done. And things I WANT to do.

> Thus, I believe that this is the basic
> sequence of success:

> 1. OBSERVE

As I "observe" something that I want to do or something that needs to be done,

> 2. DECIDE

I "decide" to do something about it.

> 3. INTEND

I then write down on my to-do list what I "intend" to do about it.

> 4. ACT

As I DO what I "intended" to do, I mark it off the list.

Then, at the end of the day, you see some of what you have accomplished. Everything probably won't be crossed off. Stuff happens to delay the process.

But if you keep up with the list (don't lose it) and you truly "intend" to complete everything on the list, you may be amazed what you can accomplish in a short period of time.

I know in my case the "paralysis of analysis" slows me down. I take too much time planning to do something, and never getting around to doing it.

Thanks, Hugh, for your simple formula: observe, decide, intend, and do.

Be blessed,

JDB




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