Determination
 
I think the key words in the path to success are:
DETERMINATION and SELF DISCIPLINE.
Others are FOCUS and a SINGLE-MINDEDNESS (in pursuit 
of one's goals). The words 'determination' and (by association) 
'ruthlessness', suggest a person who wants success and 
power for it's own sake. This is another sort of obsession. 
However, a desire for power, riches and fame may have virtually 
nothing to do with it. By the way, I feel that not all successful people 
and business executives are ruthless - they are not all "money grabbing 
corporate raiders". Most of them are "normal and good family men", who 
have perfectly natural reactions in that they hate firing employees. "Soft 
gentle souls!"


Determination is often at its greatest, when a person is enslaved by an 
idea and wants to see the idea work. There is a further sort of determination: 
the determination to see things through, to finish the job. For example, a 
compulsion to qualify for the PGA golf tour in America, to finish a building, 
or in my case to finish writing this  manuscript...and then get it published... 
which is the hardest part of all. Especially with the way I write!

I suppose all these characteristics are somewhat abnormal; 
because so-called "normal" people are more passive and less 
focused than us "obsessive types". They are regarded as 
being less "mad" by the majority of the public, who 
engage in more ordinary activities and have more "normal" occupations.

This thought leads me on to another question: Is the top-most 
level of success the only one worth having, or is it sufficient 
to merely enjoy sport for it's own sake (even the professionals)?
Does every player entering Wimbledon really think he or 
she is going to win the Championship? Or is it success itself 
just to play in the Wimbledon tournament? How realistic is
the vision of success to YOU? It all depends on how you define
success for yourself...which is the thought with which I 
introduced this chapter.

I believe that a strong SENSE OF DIRECTION or PURPOSE IN 
LIFE is a very important ingredient for success. So too is a
persistent personality.

To be successful in whatever endeavor one chooses, first of 
all requires a great of talent. It might be latent, waiting to 
be uncovered. Perhaps, you are not even aware of it. I wonder 
how many budding Ayrton Senna's and Michael Schumachers there are 
around, who just have never had the opportunity (mainly in the 
form of money) to race cars?  Motor racing is certainly the "ultimate 
rich boy's sport".

To finally reap the rewards of success, obviously talent has 
to be there on the long slow road to success - and at the 
time of success...but has it always been there? Chess 
geniuses, athletes, tennis players, architects, athletes, 
scientists, dress designers and advertising creative directors. 

These "creative types"! There can be talent deep within; but 
there has to be hard work and training before the talent bears 
fruition - so that it can succeed against (all) others...and this 
often takes a great deal of time to bear fruit.

I believe in life it's firstly a matter of finding your "niche", then 
unlocking your unique talents...and finding it is the most 
difficult part. You may not even be aware you have any special gifts. 
That is the "key" to success. As I mentioned, I found whatever little 
ones I had through a process of serendipity...and it's probably my one 
and only talent! My writing, I mean. Once uncovered, it's then a question 
of building on it and maximizing it. Maria Callas, the opera singer with 
"a voice like an angel" put a great deal of effort into maximizing her 
talent. Sometimes a phenomenol talent, like a Juan Manuel Fangio*, 
Jim Clark or Ayrton Senna soars above all others; but in most cases 
it's the effort and total dedication put in to make the most of one's 
natural talents, that puts an individual into the realm of a superstar 
- someone who is on a different level, a cut above the best of the rest.
* Fangio won the World Driver's Championship five times.   

One can sometimes substitute hard work, training, experience 
and strategy for flair. Nice word that 'flair'. Could be a girl's 
name. Some detectives are like "Mr Plod", while a few sleuths 
have the natural insight of a Sherlock Holmes. Most others 
have to get results through hard detailed work in uncovering 
cases. I don't yet know whether I'm a "natural" writer or a 
methodical plodder, a "gatherer and passer-onner of useless" 
information through a great deal of effort. Perhaps only time 
will tell!

I might have mentioned before (once, twice or ten times) 
that this manuscript has been written for anyone: from the
most lowly amateur to the real 'pros' in the sporting world. 
o no matter how lowly your abilities, make the most of them. 
As I mentioned already, a positive attitude to life is all-
important. A positive attitude says that your natural talent 
can be maximized. It also says that without further effort, 
natural talent will be wasted. I do like repeating myself: for 
emphasis primarily and as a sign of encroaching senility too.

Sometimes persistent effort alone won't succeed in getting you 
to the top - only sheer talent will do that... together with 
consistent effort to keep you at "the top of the tree". Never 
mind - JUST TRY TO IMPROVE yourself and simply DO YOUR BEST at 
all times.


Craig Lock

Creative Writing Course 
http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/creative.html

About the author:

Craig Lock has studied the field of self help and the principles
of success for many years. This extract is from his manuscript,  
STEPS TO SUCCESS, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS - the 
amazing powers of the human mind and how to make the 
most of yourself by following your heart and passion. 
He has been writing for the past "lucky" seven years.  Craig has had 
five books published on various subjects with another 12 
manuscripts being published and market-ed on the internet.

The various books* that I "felt inspired to write" are available at:
http://www.novelty-gift.com/ebooks.html

* Hard copies and e-books: Fiction and non-fiction, novels on South Africa, 
travel, humor, inspiration, self help and money books 


All proceeds go to needy and unprivileged children - MINE!

"Life is about finding, then following the dream... 
and one's dream/vision comes to reality through believing 
in yourself, making the commitment and then creating it."

Craig Lock