Why do some people seem to be more successful than others in many areas of life?
I think I know the “one thing” that can lead to a successful life. I know this is a bold statement! I want you to know I have thought about this for many years. It’s quite simple really, or at least simple in concept. Now carrying it out…that is where the difficulty lies.
Let’s start with the question, what does being a success mean? It’s accomplishing an aim or purpose. The individual defines individual success; success for one person may not be success for another.
It seems, however, that most people don’t have a specific “aim or purpose” in each area of their life. Most just float through life waiting to see what comes along. I know success can sometimes happen by happy accident, but well-rounded success in all areas of life is difficult to achieve. I would contend that to be truly successful in life, you need to excel in the following four areas:
- something to live for
- someone to love
- something to do
- healthy mind and body
They all go hand in hand really, but to excel in each area requires one attribute to truly call it success. What is the one thing?
The key to a successful life is DILIGENCE.
Not very glamorous is it? Diligence is often confused with persistence. Diligence is a noun and defined as careful, and persistent work. Persistence is an adjective and defined as obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. While persistence can be good, diligence is a planned course of action to get you where you want to be. And, it can be applied to all aspects of life.
Something to live for:
Reading, praying, attending church, and fellowshipping with believers are all aspects that are vital to most people’s spiritual journey. Having a strong spiritual life can help people find meaning during difficult circumstances. Attending church can provide a strong sense of belonging, security, and community. Plus, studies have shown that these relationships improve overall health, mood, and wellbeing. In turn, one becomes more humble and thankful, less anxious, and more giving and forgiving. However, none of this matters if we are not diligent about our faith. We all have spiritual highs and lows, but what matters is keeping at it, keep working through our faith and sanctification.
Someone to love:
Being married is hard work. Raising children is never-ending. We are imperfect alone, marry an imperfect person, and then we must learn to go through life together. A good marriage doesn’t just happen. We have to learn to work through our problems and issues, take time together (away from the children), and know that we are each committed to the other. We must protect our spousal relationship from all the constant distractions, negativity, desires, and worldliness. When we love, cherish, and trust our spouse, it provides a foundation that we can rely on. I have introduced my wife to new people by saying, “I make the living, but she makes the living worthwhile.”
Then, typically, about the time you are settling into a marriage, along come children. That changes everything. I will never forget what my dad told me when I had my first child. He said, “Rearing children is the only job you will have for life.” He is right. At age 76, he is still being a dad to me… I still rely on him for advice and counseling. Diligence is never more tested than when raising children. Being a parent means learning to be protective and giving freedom, trusting but verifying, instilling character and values yet embracing free thought. Teaching children it’s okay to try and fail, that they can always come home, but need to leave, and that you love them “no matter what” takes lifelong diligence.
Something to do:
I often say to my employees that if you are not happy working here, please leave. You will be better off and so will we. It is very hard to be good at a job if you do not enjoy it. I believe that people have natural career gifts and that until you find yours, you will not be truly happy. Even with a job you love, there are times when we would like to stay in bed a little longer, call in sick on a Friday, or slack off. We all experience these feelings. However, it is the diligence that pushes past these thoughts or feelings and makes people successful in the long term.
It is said that the average sale takes 7-10 contacts before closing the deal, but the average salesperson quits after 4. It has often been said that “overnight success” takes 20 years. Starbucks started in 1971, but no one outside Seattle really heard about them until the 90s. James Dyson had 5,127 failed prototypes before his first successful vacuum cleaner model. Every job/career is a long-term game. It all takes diligence to be successful.
Healthy mind and body:
The average person puts on about 1lb/year from age 25 till age 60. That’s 35 extra pounds. From this extra weight stems many other issues causing seven out of ten Americans to take at least one prescription drug. If we want to have a lesser chance of disease, feel good, keep weight off, and have a sharp, focused mind, it will take careful and diligent work. This means being smart about how and what we eat: learning about food, working out, and researching facts about our health.
During this whole dialogue on success, have you noticed what I haven’t talked about? Money. Success in life does not mean having a lot of money. If we are diligent about taking care of ourselves so we feel and look good, get up every day, go to work with a good attitude and a willingness to get better, enjoy our faith and fellowship, and have a strong family where we are loved and accepted, then we truly have a fulfilling and successful life.
Cheers to the diligent life!