6 Myths of Success

Here are 6 common success myths:

1. We believe success is impossible, so we criticize it. Because we want to believe that life should be easy, we assume anything that's difficult must be impossible. Then, when success eludes us we're tempted to throw in the towel and say, "Who wants success anyway?" And if success is achieved by anyone we consider less worthy than ourselves, we really get "steamed." Have you given up on success thinking it's impossible?

2 We believe success is mystical, so we search for it. The problem is, we want the rewards without paying the price. You don't win an Olympic medal with a few weeks of intense training. Every great thing has been built in exactly the same way; bit by bit, step by step, little by little. Do you think success is a mystery?

3. We believe success comes by chance, so we hope for it. We say, "She just happened to be in the right place at the right time." Wrong! If you are really serious about success, here is a great rule to follow. "The 57 Rules of Success. Rule One: Deliver the goods. Rule Two: The other 56 don't matter." Are you thinking that you are just unlucky?

4. We believe success is the result of opportunity, so we wait for it. Many people who work hard but don't seem to get anywhere, believe that the only thing they need is "a break." Their motto is, "if only." If only my boss would cut me some slack... if only our church was in a better area of town... if only I'd married someone different. Sound familiar? People who do nothing more than wait for opportunity, are neither able to see it or seize it when it comes. Are you waiting for success?

5. We think success comes from having leverage, so we work for it. This idea is reinforced by the words of people like industrialist Andrew Carnegie: "Success is the power with which to acquire whatever one demands of life." So we take that a step further, assuming all successful people have taken advantage of others to get to where they are. So we begin to look for ways to manipulate people too. We believe they can force our way to success,but it doesn't work. Are you thinking that successful people manipulate other people?

6. We believe success comes from connections, so we strive to make them. People who believe in connections think they "would have made it," if only they'd been born into the right family or met the right person. But those beliefs are misplaced. Knowing good people has its rewards. But connections alone won't improve your life if you're off track. For followers of Christ, success comes by seeking God's will and following His plan for you life! Are you wishing you knew the "right" people?

I know for me, I have suffered from all of these myths at one time or another. It's time to set these beliefs aside and move forward bit by bit, step by step, and little by little. [This article was taken from the book Connect with God, by Jentezen Franklin]