The steps to success in life which we have been discussing with our students are compared by Zig Zigler to a ladder in this way: “...you must remember that each rung of the ladder was placed there for the purpose of holding your foot just long enough to step higher. It wasn’t put there for you to rest on.”
The step of “work” is a difficult one for many people. Some choose to stop at this point and settle for life as it is at that moment. Many people then go through life wondering, “What if?...” Many unsatisfied people might have been successful if they had stopped wasting time in thinking they could do other people’s jobs better and used those times to improve their own work performances.
My friend, Dr. Obra Hulsey, noted that successful individuals who get things done have learned to conquer these four common “time wasters.”
Laziness – time put to no useful purpose, not even relaxation. Procrastination – putting off things that should be done now. Distraction – letting time be frittered away on details or side issues to the detriment of the main objective. Impatience – a lack of preparation, thoroughness or perseverance, usually resulting in time consuming mistakes.
Dr. Hulsey went on to add these words of wisdom which are good for keeping us at work with a good mental attitude. “There is nothing wrong with making mistakes; just don’t respond with encores. Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned. People can be divided into three groups: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Find out what you want to do, then do it! It is boredom that wears a man down, not the fatigue of sustained effort he enjoys.”
At my age of seventy-six years (at least for three more months) I find that persistence in doing my daily work brings me great satisfaction. I enjoy the process of working to make each day a little better than the day before. That has been my life pattern all these years. My faith in God who called me to teach allows me to enjoy this life journey. The reality I face each day is that I may never pass this way again…so with God’s help, I will do whatever I can to help others whom I encounter along life’s path. Thus, I enjoy the work.
“Life is not easy for any of us. We must have perseverance and above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for some things, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” *
*Dr. Hulsey explained his many verses of wisdom which I readily pass on in these blogs this way: I have had the unique opportunity to meet, listen to, work with, learn under, and read about some of the leading experts in the field of human development. The authors of statements have not been identified. The compiler believes they would say, “If the material is useful and helpful to someone, use it!” Kay