Where Success Happens

What does it take to be successful? What is success? How can I get there?

The best answer to the question of what is success is from Og Mandino: “ Success is meeting your goals.”

The answer to what it takes to be successful and how to get there is a bit longer: Success happens at that special intersection of passion, commitment, talent and persistence. Think of those four as separate paths that flow into one path – one powerful path that leads to success – in it's infinite variety. It's a special place, that path.

That special path is different for each of us. It has to be – everyone of us is so special and different in every one of those four requirements. But we all have the capacity to arrive at our own intersection – again and again. What an exciting thought - that each of us can combine and align our special attributes in such a way to be successful – as we choose to define success.

It's sad that so many people have had experiences that have taught them to be safe, to stay on the sidelines and watch, to hold their passions and commitments in check, to see how the wind blows. What an enormous waste of resources,on a personal level and on every other level. Those are the people that are the subject of Henry David Thoreau's statement: “ The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

It doesn't have to be that way.

The idea that there is the potential to exceed anything yet accomplished through a process of self discovery, discipline, commitment and passion is really exciting – and scary. What's really scary is that it lies within each of our capabilities to grow and reach that intersection and do it again and again in our lives. We can do it at any age, under any circumstance, at any stage – and it's not magic, it's not a silver bullet, it's not limited in any way.

Let's walk down each of these four paths and see how we can get them to join together to create a level of success greater than any yet experienced.

Passion is the first path for a reason. It's the emotion that leads to commitment. It's the feeling that comes from the heart and provides us with the strength to dedicate ourselves to people, places, things, ideas, processes. It's often the most difficult path to find, but once found, it can be the most sustaining and exciting. Passion is excitement, passion is enthusiasm. It's curiosity, it's wanting to share, it's that spark that lights the fire that leads to commitment. The path of passion runs very close to the path of commitment – their intersection is vital to creating the foundation for success.

Commitment comes in many forms. The qualities of commitment that we are looking for start with positiveness; the conviction that we are committing to a worthy cause; the belief that what we commit to will result in a positive outcome, and will improve our life and the lives of others. There is no place on our path for negative, destructive commitment. Positive commitment sustains, negative commitment corrodes and destroys. Commitment requires that special feeling of being part of something bigger than self. If there is a single tipping point on the path to success, it is when that feeling of total commitment occurs - when, as Goethe wrote:

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary
truth,
the ignorance of which kills
countless ideas and endless plans:
That at the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves, too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of
unforeseen incidents and meetings and
material assistance which no man
could have dreamed would come his way.
Whatever you can do or
dream you can, begin it!
Boldness has genius, power
and magic in it.

Talent is the path where the rubber meets the road – where things can be done – where action to create success occurs. The belief that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it may be true at one level, but at the practical level of creating success, it hinders more than it helps. An example: without good eye hand coordination and excellent depth perception, no one is going to be a major league baseball player - nobody. They don't have a piece of the puzzle – the talent - that is critical to success. If they persist in trying to a be a major league ball player, they're wasting their time. Some people learn that lesson the hard way. “Experience may be the best teacher, but only fools can learn by no other” is a harsh reality. Others find out what they are good at, and pursue success from that more powerful place. You can have a passion for and a commitment to baseball, you can manifest that passion and commitment as a spectator, as a sportscaster, as a grounds keeper, as a General Manager or a players agent, or as an employee of the team, but as a player – not. The talent has to be there to be successful.

The good news – and it is really good news – is that talent requirements can be identified, talents already present can be identified, and, in many cases, talents that need to be developed can be – it's exciting. Even more exciting is discovering a passion and a commitment that fits with your unique blend of talents – now that's special. Whether it's through experience, failures, successes, self discovery, or tools to help define requirements and capabilities, this is where the engine of success resides – in the talent to drive that passion and commitment.

And then Persistence, the centerline that keeps the forces generated in the paths of Passion, Commitment and Talent moving toward success. I have a framed saying from Ralph Waldo Emerson that I keep within view. It's a powerful message:

Press On

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

Passion, leading to Commitment, fueled by Talent, and directed by Persistence – the formula for success. And in this time of uncertainty and bad news, it's so important to find or rediscover our passions and commit or recommit to them, develop the talent – the skills and abilities and motivators we need to make them happen - and then persist in meeting our goals.

That's the package. Now's the time. It's not easy – nothing worth doing ever is - but it's worth it – in so many ways. Have a great 2009, and the best of success to you.

Written by Andy Cox, President
Cox Consulting Group, 4049 E Vista Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032 Ph: 602-795-4100; Fax: 602-795-4800; E Mail: acox@coxconsultgroup.com; Website: www.coxconsultgroup.com; Blog: http://multiplysuccess.blogspot.com
Copyright© 2009 All Rights Reserved

Ten Ways To Ensure Your Goals Are Leading You To Success

Success, energy, passion and commitment are created by success - success at accomplishing the goals we have set for ourselves, and the goals that others have set for or with us. Nothing is more powerful than accomplishment.

Many of us never seem to complete all the goals and tasks we set for ourselves on a daily and weekly and monthly basis. We tend to focus on what we didn't do, rather than on all the things that got done. The effect of overbooking ourselves is that we probably get more done, but the price of never meeting all of our own commitments can be very high.

The price is high if the effect of constantly falling short of our own goals and expectations results in self criticism and a feeling that we don't measure up. And the result is less energy, less commitment, less goal setting. And we did it to ourselves.

It's a balancing act between - on the one hand, stretching and keeping a high level of energy and commitment and confidence in ourselves and - on the other hand, getting discouraged because of our own self imposed failures.

That's why the goal formula - SMART - is so important in setting goals. SMART, it stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time specific, helps us protect against the burnout and discouragement of setting goals that are beyond stretch - that are out there with dreams and ideals - nice to think about but no help when it comes to accomplishment - today.

Here are ten ways you can ensure that your goals are leading to your success, and not to your discouragement:

1 - If you constantly end the day with a sense of frustration because you didn't meet all your goals and plans for that day - and celebration of what was accomplished is pushed aside by frustration - it's time you changed your thinking. And working harder isn't the answer.

2 - Few goals, no more than three to five, are better than many. Having many goals is often the result of confusing intention with action. Many goals can be a sign of not wanting to make the har.d choices required by priorities.

3 - If you use a daily task/goal list, after completing it, take the least important third of the items and put them in the trash. Stop overbooking and when you do get all the things done you committed to do, treat a "fun to do" as a reward for a day well done.

4 - Create short term goals that represent progress and then focus on it. The problem with the big, long term goals is that they are so far away that progress is hard to sustain. Example. If you want to do 12 pullups as a goal, and right now you can't do one, perhaps a short term goal of one will set you on the way to 12.

5 - Treat your goals as mileposts on a journey, rather than a destination. Every step can be celebrated; every step gets you closer to your dream; but celebrate the journey to keep commitment and energy positive.

6 - Don't be reluctant to modify your goals when your instincts and actions tell you that that is a wise thing to do. Remember, insanity is continuing to do the same things and expecting a different outcome. That's true with goals. Maybe the goal of pushing for 15 sales calls in a day is less important - and attainable - than 5 quality interviews in a day. Realize it's the results that count.

7 - Give yourself, and others, credit and recognition for small victories. You know, the call you made that you had been dreading; the presentation that your team gave even though they dreaded having to give it; the analysis that wasn't good news, but had to be reported; the irate customer that was helped. Others may not know the price you paid to do those things, but you know it. Give yourself a pat on the back for courage and commitment.

8 - Be flexible. In a perfect world we may have control of our time and how it is spent. In the real world, stuff happens. Deal with it - don't see "stuff " as an imposition, just do it. Then get back on track, even if the track has taken a sudden right turn.

9 - Realize that you are probably your own worst critic. That's good - that's bad. Use your self criticism constructively - that's good. Hand wringing and regret for things not done is bad - real bad. And while I'm not a student of the brain, have you ever noticed how we tend to soak up the things that didn't go right much easier than we reward and recognize ourselves for the good stuff?

10 - Keep an Accomplishment Log or Journal. Every day write down what you accomplished and feel good about it.

Goals guide us and help us succeed - and help us know what success is. Keep them positive and reinforcing, and watch your own success grow.

Written by Andy Cox, President

Cox Consulting Group, 4049 E Vista Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032 Ph: 602-795-4100; Fax: 602-795-4800; E Mail: acox@coxconsultgroup.com; Website: http://www.coxconsultgroup.com/; Blog: http://multiplysuccess.blogspot.com/

Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved

Perseverance and Commitment, or Just An Illusion

I just finished a terrific book - The Road by Cormac McCarthy. In it was a quote that struck me - it has to do with perseverance and commitment and dreams, and how you will know if you are pressing forward, or stepping back.

"When your dreams are of some world that never was or of some world that never will be and you are happy again, then you will have given up."

Never never never give up. Very few people would argue with that statement. But giving up can be sneaky - it doesn't just happen. It happens when your dreams don't come true, when you have been disappointed again and again, when that sale you were relying on so much didn't happen, when you start to trim back your goals, and start to let short term failure effect your energy and commitment and question your own ability and worthiness. Giving up can be masked by activity - actions taken that keep you busy, but when you analyze their value and are honest about it - you realize all that busyness doesn't amount to much.

One of our greatest strengths is our flexibility - but it can be a weakness as well. When we flex to cope with failure, oftentimes we step back, not forward - and we do it without realizing it.

There is the story of the entrepreneur that was failing, and he decided to take a day and go fly fishing. He had the good fortune to hook a very large trout. His gear was designed for much smaller fish, so he very carefully played the fish, using just enough pressure to keep the fish irritated and moving until it finally lay, exhausted, in the water. He revived it and let it swim away. And then he realized - he was just like that fish - constantly irritated and annoyed and moved by small things, and they were exhausting him. He decided right then and there to stop letting the little things wear him down. He left the stream, he went to work on the few big things that would rescue his business, and he prospered.

Giving up comes in many disguises - check to see if you have your priorities and goals and actions in line with your dreams. Are you working to meet your goals, or are you using your dreams to avoid reality? It's an easy trap to fall into.

The good news is that you can release yourself from your trap - the secret is first knowing you're in it - that's where goals are so very important. Then take action to achieve the important things - and forget about all the little stuff that will always try to pull you down.

Start today - act on your important dreams.

Written by Andy Cox, President

Cox Consulting Group LLC, 4049 E Vista Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032 Ph: 602-795-4100; Fax: 602-795-4800; E Mail: acox@coxconsultgroup.com; Website: www.coxconsultgroup.com

Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved

You Can't Be Believed If You're Not Heard

Right now - today - there is more ability, intelligence, expertise and experience that never gets heard than ever before in our history. What a waste!! At the same time, there is more BS being spewed by more non - experts than ever before!!

We see it every day - in the news, in meetings, in conversations we have. How often have you witnessed a speech or presentation and become absolutely convinced that the real experts are in the audience - not at the front of the room?

Have you ever noticed how the person with the most conviction tends to be believed - even if they are not the most well informed? People value conviction in communication - they will follow conviction. Meanwhile, buried in the conversation is someone who has so much more of value to say - and yet they don't. How can we get that skill and ability to speak with conviction?

So what do we do about it?

First, we encourage ourselves, and the people we know, to become effective communicators. We encourage ourselves and others we know to gain the skills and ability to communicate effectively. For most people, the fear of public speaking is one of the top three fears in their lives - right up there with death and taxes. By public speaking I am including any conversation where three or more people are gathered to discuss, defend, learn, debate , brainstorm, propose - i.e. communicate.


Second,adopt the belief that it is our obligation, our duty to share our knowledge with others, and in doing so to help others make their own decisions based on accurate, timely, complete - as - it - can - be information.

Third, let me share a personal experience. My wife and I joined Toastmasters a few years ago. I didn't think it would be of that much value to me - I'd been doing presentations for years. I joined as a way to encourage my wife to gain skills. My wife gained skills and confidence, and so did I - in spades. Today my wife gives presentations as part of her work - the largest group she has talked to was composed of 300 complete strangers. My largest group of complete strangers was about the same size. We still get butterflies before speaking- sometimes worse than others, but we have overcome our fears and used our skills to listen, educate, inform, influence and sell. Incidentally, we have no stake in Toastmasters - we receive no benefit in any way from this writing. We just know that it is one very effective tool to open your own doors to greater skills - skills and abilities that can be life changing. Perhaps Dale Carnegie or the National Speakers Association or a local group are more suited to your time, temperment and goals.

Do it - find a way today. Start now. Start by believing in your opportunity to help others through sharing your unique blend of knowledge, experience and insights. Then reach out for tools that will turn your belief into action.

Written by Andy Cox, President

Cox Consulting Group LLC 4049 E Vista Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032 Ph: 602-795-4100; Fax: 602-795-4800; EMail: Acox@coxconsultgroup.com; Website: www.coxconsultgroup.com

All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2007

Passion, Commitment and Energy - An Unbeatable Combination

Have you ever tried to keep something you really like, or something you're really excited about, at arm's length? It's almost impossible! Whether it's a relationship, an assignment, a ball game, an interest - when we get really excited and passionate about it, we get close – we embrace the moment and the thing that has us so involved. And when we do that, good things happen. Do you recall what it felt like when you really embraced something – the excitement, the clarity, the commitment, the passion?

It takes that clarity, that excitement, that passion, to be successful in whatever we want to do.

And yet, how often do we catch ourselves holding back – holding our arms out and saying “ Wait,” rather than engaging with whatever it is that wants to engage us. And in a very short time, the opportunity to engage is gone – never to be be recaptured. One more stone unturned, one more bell not answered, one less chance at the brass ring.

Even the most optimistic, opportunistic person has had exciting things pass them by – there are only so many hours in the day. Think how many more real opportunities for engagement pass by those of us who, for whatever the reasons, are pessimists, are fearful, are concerned most with consequences. Study after study shows that the vast majority of people are more motivated to act from a fear of loss than from an opportunity for gain. And if you're acting from fear or from avoidance, your performance is really limited. Chances of really succeeding can't be found in trying to limit loss or avoid a fear.

The secret to success is found when we act on things that excite us – that make us feel positively that we can succeed, that make us believe in our own ability and worthiness, that make us step out of our comfort zone and reach.

Real success is found beyond our reach, beyond our comfort zone, beyond where we thought we could ever go. It is found with excitement, passion, clarity of purpose and commitment. It is found through risk, and personal belief, and the support of other believers.

It's found in behavior best described by this piece of advice:

“Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt before, dance like nobody is watching.- and take a chance like you're the luckiest person in the world.”

What a great way to lead our lives! Start today.

Written by Andy Cox, President
Cox Consulting Group LLC, 4049 E Vista Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032, Ph:602-795-4100; Fax: 602-795-4800; E Mail: andycox@coxconsultgroup.com; Website: http://www.coxconsultgroup.com/
Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved

The Fantastic Consequences of Commitment

I read this quote from Goethe in The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale. Some things never change - I wish I had written this - but I sure am inspired by it. I hope you are too. (Bolding added by me.)

Quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, born 1749, died 1832:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which kills
countless ideas and endless plans:
That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves, too.

All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of
unforeseen incidents and meetings and
material assistance which no man
could have dreamed would come his way.

Whatever you can do or
dream you can, begin it!
Boldness has genius, power
and magic in it."

If you're into daily affirmations and inspirations, copy this and read it every day - you will benefit from it - I guarantee it!

Andy Cox, President

Cox Consulting Group LLC, 4049 E Vista Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032 Ph: 602-795-4100; Fax: 602-795-4800; E Mail: andycox@coxconsultgroup.com; Website: www.coxconsultgroup.com