5 Keys for Unusual Success!

The story is told of a traveling man who realized he had gotten off course and suddenly felt very lost. Pulling into a service station for help, he told the old timer running the place he was lost and needed assistance. The elderly gentleman smiled and said, “Let me ask you a couple of questions. ‘Do you know where you started your trip?’” The man answered, “Of course I do.” Then the old timer asked, “Do you know where you want to end up?” “Yes, I know that too,” the man said. Then the wise old man replied, “In that case, you are not lost! You just need some directions!” 

There is a lot of truth in that story! We may feel lost and confused about what we are doing, but the truth is that we are better off than we realize. Most of us know where we began our journey and what we dreamed of doing with our lives. Somewhere along the way, however, we may have gotten off track. We may be on a road we did not intend to travel down, and now feel a little uncomfortable. We think we are lost. We know where we want to end up, but we just don’t know how to get there. In truth, all we need are some directions, and I want to share where you can get them. 

1. Find a mentor - Look for someone who is older and wiser and has traveled the road ahead of you - someone who has more experience than you do. They will be able to help you along the way.

Someone once said, "If you are the smartest person in your group, you need to find a new group!" It is important to have people in your life who stretch and challenge you. A good mentor will do just that. 

2. Seek good advice - Talk to someone who is doing what you want to do. 

When I was in high school, my friend Robert wanted to be a dentist. One day, after a dental appointment, he talked to the dentist, and to his surprise, the dentist said, “You do not want to do this! If I had it to do over again, this is not what I would have chosen to do. I spend all day long looking in people’s mouths, smelling their bad breath, and trying to get them to pay me! It is no fun at all.” 

Robert realized dentistry was not what he wanted to do with my life. It would not have been a good fit.

3. Realize that much of life is trial and error - When we make a mistake, it does not need to be final. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn. I honestly believe that every mistake I have ever made has caused me to get back on track and get closer to my destination. 

4. Seek spiritual guidance - What I mean is, realize there is one who is greater than yourself who wants to guide you and help you. Your life is not an accident, and you are not some vague generality wandering around in a meaningless universe, wasting time. You are special. There is no one quite like you, and you are being guided, whether you realize it or not. 

Some may consider that they have gotten where they are because of luck or coincidence. However, someone once said that a coincidence is when God is at work, but chooses to remain anonymous. I like that definition, and I believe it is true!

5. Recognize it is never too late - This may be the most important of all! 

I recently heard of a 70-year-old lady who is not only going back to school, but is getting her real estate license. She believes this is a great time to get an education and be prepared for when things turn around in the housing market. See what I mean? Her attitude is the key ingredient to the success she wants to experience. She is not down in life. On the contrary, she is up on life and the next opportunity that will come her way. 

Your intention alone will not take you where you want to go in life.  You must be headed in the right direction, because direction determines destination. Using these keys will keep you on the right path to get you to your desired destination and experience the success you want in life. They’re certainly helping me!