While reading Tempo magazine recently, I came across a statement saying, “It’s a limitless world where anything is possible.” Subconsciously, my mind contemplated about the statement. “If it was a limitless world, then why are some penniless while others are are swimming in wealth? Why do some go hungry for days while others have more than enough food,” I wondered. Much as the world has a great deal to offer, to many, the ‘getting well-to-do paradox’ remains a mystery. Correct, it’s a limitless world but how does one exploit all the infinite opportunities that it provides? How long would it take for one to achieve success, worth celebrating? Is success a habit anyway? True, success is a habit, if not kept a routine; even much effort will never get you there. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit” -Aristotle. Well said Aristotle, for without forming successful habits, even minor achievements should be forgotten. Before I get you confused, what I am putting across is the fact that, the only path to achieving one’s dreams is through being consistent at what they do. Consistency at anything will make it a habit, awaiting tremendous outcomes. Great thinkers, celebrated writers got there because they were consistent. Even Armstrong the first man on the moon started with one step, what made the different was his day to day struggle to accomplish his goal. And if they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day; indeed it would never have been that perfect in just one single day. It took Rome’s builders’ years so that they could make the city’s construction a routine, a habit and at the end, their efforts came with perfection. And if I may ask, why do we eat daily? Maybe we could get a day’s break from food but in order to be healthy, ingestion is a habit. Creating successful habits. It’s not such a simple task to form habits that will get you to your goals, but it’s worth it. Do you want to have a better tomorrow? Do you have a purpose for the future? Then here is what you should do; Know what you want: Like they say, you can’t chase after shadows. In other words, know your dream, and then you will be able to improvise ways of achieving it. Have Self Discipline: Discipline and self control are indeed a big weapon against failure. It’s human to go astray, but it’s optional for any human to be principled. The rule of making a principled you is, ‘doing what your heart says is boring.’ It doesn’t hurt to forego that soccer game in order to read a book, if you intend to be a great writer. Create self discipline basing on your dreams and goals. Be present: Winners never go missing. You should be present as you go for your dreams. Be able to listen to yourself plan, whole heartedly and with all your concentration. The more you concentrate, the more aggressive you become and the more you learn. Have a daily schedule: This should be routine. It can be a time table of activities that you should accomplish in a day. A schedule will guide you and reduce the stress. Make success a habit and you’ll yield all that you have craved for, in years. It’s a limitless world. lillianean@yahoo.com
