A friend's family is currently struggling financially (and 'emotionally') because, among other things, the father is on dialysis and continues to smoke 2 packets of cigarettes per day. Apparently this gentleman, on learning of his kidney failure, immediately quit smoking...for 1 day!
Of course we all sympathize with the family - they must be terribly distressed but at the same time, we are probably annoyed...maybe even 'infuriated' with the dad. We empathize because we have been guilty of similar failures of willpower - even if the consequences have not been as critical.
I recall hearing someone posit the following: "Why do discouragements seem to come in bunches?" Answer: "Because if they came one at a time; they wouldn't be discouraging!"
That makes sense, doesn't it?
Repetition begets results - both good and bad. Repetition is the route of all habits and the 'fruits' of those habits are often subtle and not easily discernible to the unsophisticated observer. Centuries ago, the philosopher Lucretius observed that: "Drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence, but by oft falling." His point? The power is in 'repetition'. This is not new.
In previous posts I have discussed the power of association and that while our thoughts might impact most directly upon our 'joy'; it is what we do (or don't do) that will be the greater determinant of our success (or failure). So why do we continue to do those things which we know are bad for us? A modern answer to this most ancient dilemma may be found in a brief text in the public domain. A quick google will provide you with download opportunities for both written and audio renditions of this 70 year old presentation. Authored by a man with extraordinary insight into the human condition, "The Common Denominator of Success" was delivered to a group of Life Insurance underwriters in 1940 by Albert E. N. Gray. Mr Gray suggested that:
"The common denominator of success - the secret of success of every man who has ever been successful - lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do."
But he then continues to explore the apparent flaws in this hypothesis - excuses that we have all, at one time or another entertained, however briefly, to explain our apparent failure or the unexplained success of another. Maybe successful people 'like' to do the things that unsuccessful people don't like to do? No, this is not the case and there are myriad examples in business, sport, academia and politics to support the opposing notions that like or dislike of the core activity has little to do with one's success. Mr Gray's 'law' is an epiphany - read it slowly. Let its message wash over you:
" Successful men [and we can safely assume he is implying women as well] are influenced by the desire for pleasing results. Failures are influenced by the desire for pleasing methods and are inclined to be satisfied with such results as can be obtained by doing things they like to do."
Wow! A friend of mine, Peter, is deservedly famous for his mantra, "The Dream is Everything!" His enormous success, both personally and materially, from a relatively inauspicious beginning are testament to his sincere commitment to this philosophy. However, I have suggested that it then takes specific/relevant knowledge, hard work and mentorship, etc. So if one wishes to be a complete pedant about these things...then it (the 'dream') is actually not 'everything'...BUT...if we review Peter's confrontingly simple philosophy in the light of Mr Gray's treatise on human motivation; we find that the defining characteristic of successful men and women is the existence of a 'definitive purpose'. What do we call a definitive purpose that has its routes in our heart; a purpose that we can see, smell, touch and feel? Well, most of us would call that a dream. So maybe Peter was right all along! Keep it simple. Get a real dream first...and just know that you will find the people (or you will attract the people), the opportunity, the resources and the resilience necessary to attain it. Oh, and the work part...that's always been the easiest thing for those that have a dream!
I recall hearing someone posit the following: "Why do discouragements seem to come in bunches?" Answer: "Because if they came one at a time; they wouldn't be discouraging!"
That makes sense, doesn't it?
Repetition begets results - both good and bad. Repetition is the route of all habits and the 'fruits' of those habits are often subtle and not easily discernible to the unsophisticated observer. Centuries ago, the philosopher Lucretius observed that: "Drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence, but by oft falling." His point? The power is in 'repetition'. This is not new.
In previous posts I have discussed the power of association and that while our thoughts might impact most directly upon our 'joy'; it is what we do (or don't do) that will be the greater determinant of our success (or failure). So why do we continue to do those things which we know are bad for us? A modern answer to this most ancient dilemma may be found in a brief text in the public domain. A quick google will provide you with download opportunities for both written and audio renditions of this 70 year old presentation. Authored by a man with extraordinary insight into the human condition, "The Common Denominator of Success" was delivered to a group of Life Insurance underwriters in 1940 by Albert E. N. Gray. Mr Gray suggested that:
"The common denominator of success - the secret of success of every man who has ever been successful - lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do."
But he then continues to explore the apparent flaws in this hypothesis - excuses that we have all, at one time or another entertained, however briefly, to explain our apparent failure or the unexplained success of another. Maybe successful people 'like' to do the things that unsuccessful people don't like to do? No, this is not the case and there are myriad examples in business, sport, academia and politics to support the opposing notions that like or dislike of the core activity has little to do with one's success. Mr Gray's 'law' is an epiphany - read it slowly. Let its message wash over you:
" Successful men [and we can safely assume he is implying women as well] are influenced by the desire for pleasing results. Failures are influenced by the desire for pleasing methods and are inclined to be satisfied with such results as can be obtained by doing things they like to do."
Wow! A friend of mine, Peter, is deservedly famous for his mantra, "The Dream is Everything!" His enormous success, both personally and materially, from a relatively inauspicious beginning are testament to his sincere commitment to this philosophy. However, I have suggested that it then takes specific/relevant knowledge, hard work and mentorship, etc. So if one wishes to be a complete pedant about these things...then it (the 'dream') is actually not 'everything'...BUT...if we review Peter's confrontingly simple philosophy in the light of Mr Gray's treatise on human motivation; we find that the defining characteristic of successful men and women is the existence of a 'definitive purpose'. What do we call a definitive purpose that has its routes in our heart; a purpose that we can see, smell, touch and feel? Well, most of us would call that a dream. So maybe Peter was right all along! Keep it simple. Get a real dream first...and just know that you will find the people (or you will attract the people), the opportunity, the resources and the resilience necessary to attain it. Oh, and the work part...that's always been the easiest thing for those that have a dream!
