Success cannot be defined, rated or measured because success is not specific. For each one of us, success holds different meanings and values. But the path to success is only one. Whatever be the dream, desire, goal or destination, the means to the end is the same everywhere for everyone. There are five D’s to be remembered on the journey to your destination.
Direction
It’s a pity to see people go through life without a sense of direction. This happens because of not having a specific goal in life. Here, it’s also necessary to differentiate between goals and desires. Desires are vague dreams and wishes whereas goals are dreams with deadlines and an action plan .It’s not only passion and wishing that turns dreams into a reality but a definite, clear, written goal and a plan to accomplish it. Plans are a must.
Dedication
We often come across people hiding behind high sounding words as, "I’m analyzing", or "I’m getting ready". They keep making excuses. Life is not a dress rehearsal. We have got only one shot at it and we’ve got to give it everything. A very high level of dedication is required to realize your grade.
Determination
Our limited thinking prevents us from progressing. There is always a linking fear of being rejected in life. Questions like, "What if I don’t make it? What will people say?" keep haunting us. But if you’ve set a goal for yourself, set about accomplishing it with grit and determination and forget gossipmongers. Determination comes about by being specific. It’s not enough to say, "I want to lose weight". Be more specific and say "I will lose ten pounds in three months". If we are not determined, we will not accomplish it.
Discipline
Self-discipline does not kill joy but builds it. Often people with talent, ability and dreams get frustrated at a later stage in life and prove unsuccessful. Dissatisfied with themselves, they blame destiny. Discipline is achieved by practising honesty, integrity and sincerity. Build a reputation for being trustworthy and honour your commitments. Integrity is not found in company brochures or titles but in a person’s character. It does not eventually pay to compromise on discipline and take shortcuts to win - there are no shortcuts to success.
Deadlines
We have all procrastinated at sometime or the other in our lives - only to regret it later. When people say, "I will do it one of these days", they actually mean, "None of these days". Let’s make the best of now and utilize the present to the fullest. Make a habit of living in the present and doing it now. There should be a date of beginning a task and a finishing date. These dates help to strengthen determination and keep the goal in sight. A completed task is fulfilling and energizing; an uncomplete one drains energy, like a leak from a tank. The journey to being your best is not easy. It is an uphill task, full of setfacks but winners have the ability to stuck it out.
Existence alone is not success! It is a lot more
Do more than exist - live
Do more than touch - feel
Do more than look - observe
Do more than read - absorb
Do more than hear - listen
Do more than listen - understand