The dictionary defines success as achieving your aims or what was intended or achieving a good result and being successful. This definition goes to reveal that success has little or nothing to do with wealth, material accumulation, or achievement.
Self-discovery and self-manifestation are cardinal to and are some of the most important principles of success because success is influenced by who we are and how we think.
In the words of Dr. Myles Munroe,
“Success is not what you have done compared to what others have done, but what you have done compared to what you were supposed to do”
No fewer than a million people fall by the wayside in the quest to achieve success, principally because they lack useful ideas on what to do to be successful. They often apply wrong methods in an attempt to achieve success and expect positive results.
But my question is does a builder ignore the principle of laying a good foundation and proper alignment of bricks and still succeed in erecting an edifice?
The answer is definitely a capital NO!
With the foregoing in mind, let me take you on a short journey in which the principles of success shall be revealed to you. Books have been written extensively on how to achieve success in any area of one’s endeavor.
However, the following five principles of success stand out eloquently and prominently as a guide to aid one in his journey to success.
Here Are The 5 Principles of Success
1. Possessing a clear vision.
The dictionary meaning of vision is the ability to see. However, in the context of this article, vision is elaborated as an inspired insight and a mental telescope to clearly envisage one’s future.
According to James Allen, “the vision that you glorify in your mind, the idea that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by and this you will become”.
Having a good and properly evaluated vision is similar to a child that is going to buy chocolates in a supermarket. The child will keep going until he gets to the supermarket where chocolates can be bought, and no matter how far the supermarket maybe, he does not turn to buy a can of water even if he is thirsty.
This is because the chocolate is his mission. Likewise, your mission should be your motive in this world and you ought to focus on achieving it. Where there is a vision, there is a mission and the direction is known. Do not mistake vision for ambition or imagination as a lot of people do.
Vision is a focused plan with an accompanying zeal and willpower to fulfill it. Therefore, to succeed, you must create a desire for something. Desire (vision) gives direction to success.
Related: In Search of Inner Well-Being, Bliss, and Success
2. Set goals.
Having a vision or nursing a desire is never enough. You need to devise means to achieve it. Vision can be conceived as a destination, goals are road maps on how to get there.
It is imperative that you set smart and practicable goals for what you wish to become in future. It could be on business growth, academic qualification.
Reaching your target at work and so on. It all depends on your personal pursuit. An old saying goes, “brick by brick a house is built”, in those bricks (goals) lies the strength of the edifice (vision).
It is foolishness to overlook the bricks that combine to build an edifice and continue to aspire to build an edifice. Your vision might be so great that people may be telling you that you are building a castle in the air.
Don’t bother about destroying it or think that you are stupid to nurse such a vision. All you need to do is to build a solid foundation underneath it and with time, it would no longer be called a castle in the air but a mansion.
Goal(s) is the solid foundation you need. In the words of Bob Gass, “many tasks seem overwhelming when you look at their tasks but when you break them down into small steps and visualize yourself taking the first step, you are amazed at your progress”.
