“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
Living successfully is a life long journey, full of trials and triumphs, ups and downs, the good and the bad, but most of all; it is one big learning experience. When you realize that you are not the only person who goes through tough circumstances or bad situations, things become clearer. At some point in life, everyone experiences negative situations and that should help you to know that you are not alone in this world.
It is your responsibility to grow your potential for success so that you stand out to the world and shine the way that you were designed to shine. Success is not just going to show up at your front door in a nicely wrapped package for you to receive it. It is not going to be handed to you on a silver platter with all the trimmings.
It is going to take some effort and time to achieve the success you desire. Even if you have no idea of what you need to do, you can start by focusing on how to grow your potential for success.
Below are four key principles to apply to your life that will put you on the right road to growing your potential for success.
1. Focus on one main goal.
Reaching your potential for success requires you to focus on one main goal at a time. You may have other goals, but you should have an overarching goal in each of the areas of life (spiritual, relational, physical, financial, social, mental and professional) that is your main focus.
You cannot accomplish a goal if you are scattered in twenty different directions. You have to decide where to focus your attention and what you are willing to give up to make your goal happen.
What main goal can you set in each area of your life to focus on?
2. Focus on continual improvement.
Every day you should be doing something that makes you better than you were yesterday. The only way to reach the success God desires for your life is for you to make a commitment to continually improve each day. Never think that you have arrived. You can always improve. You can always learn something new. You can always grow. You will find that what you get as you continue to improve daily is not as important as what you become along the way.
What can you commit to doing daily that will improve your life?
3. Forget the past.
I have learned in life that you cannot move forward if you are dragging the past behind you. If you focus on the past how can you possibly see your future? Your past can be a boat anchor to your future progress. I understand you won’t totally forget your past because it is a part of your life, but you don’t have to allow it to dictate who you can become and where you are going.
Do not let past mistakes, failures or success prevent you from reaching your future potential for success. Today is your day to officially let go of the past and grab hold of your promised future.
What past mistakes, failures or successes do you need to leave in the past so that you can move forward?
4. Focus on the future.
It is God’s desire for you to have a successful future that will have a positive effect in every area of your life. Your potential for a great future lies ahead of you. It is paramount that you live your present in such a way that it ignites your future possibilities.
Paul said it best in Philippians 3:13-14; “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” When you are focused on your future there is no way you can keep your eyes and mind stuck in the rear view mirror of yesterday. If you do, you will miss out on living the future you were destined to live.
Question: What steps can you take right now to grow your potential for success?
Joe Abraham says
Great points, Bernard! I am presently working on the first step especially. And I am seeing wonderful results!
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks for the comment Joe. The first step was my challenge because I was trying to do too much at one time. I was the one scattered in twenty different directions. It was not until I became focused on one main goal in each area that I began to make real progress. Good to hear that you are getting wonder results.
Dan Black says
I think staying consistent and disciplined are so important for a person’s future and the potential to seeing success. You share some great points a person should focus on and do. Great post.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks Dan. I really appreciate your comments.
Charles Stone says
Bernard, loved the Churchill quote. And moving beyond the past is so crucial. I find that thinking about what I’m thinking about can help me catch myself wandering into the past. thanks for your post.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks for the comment Charles. I love the quote by Churchill. I believe that most people don’t have the courage to continue on when they have faced a failure.
David Bartosik says
Great stuff Bernard! Loved the point to continually setting that main goal. There are a lot of things to do, but having that one thing in mind and working towards it. Great encouragement my man!
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks for the comment David. That was my big issue focusing on one main goal. I was checking out your site and you have some powerful stuff.
janice says
Praise God…thanks Bernard?author of this topic.Im encouraged infact im struggling how to work out a vision i have…