Seven steps to unlock greatness

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GREAT people have specific patterns that they choose to follow everyday of their lives. Success does not choose us because of our culture, creed or colour, but we choose to succeed.

GREAT people have specific patterns that they choose to follow everyday of their lives. Success does not choose us because of our culture, creed or colour, but we choose to succeed. Greatness follows specific principles.

It takes a strong desire, determination and discipline.

Step 1: Private preparation Greatness is first rehearsed in private and then displayed in public. Successful sportpersons give us a positive life lesson; your routine determines who you become in the ring.

At times we have unspoken habits which we don’t want anyone to see, but the unfortunate truth is the more you indulge in them the more you mature them.

That’s the same with positive lifestyles, eventually they mature and we get rewarded for them.

Step 2: Time investment The open secret that separates the wealthy and the poor is that the wealthy invest most their time, whereas the poor spend most their time.

Step 3: Vision creation Your vision is your mental picture of what you want to become. One of the greatest gifts that God has given to humanity — giving them a competitive advantage over all creatures — is the ability to first create in form of mind pictures and then secondly, build those pictures physically.

Step 4: Purpose discovery Finding your purpose is the greatest discovery of your life. Most people are only living to fulfil their basic needs like food, clothes and shelter and they can’t live beyond that. Everyone needs this, but that’s not our destiny.

Most people will spend their lifetime in a career that only helps them to fulfil these needs, but that’s not enough. It is my sincere cry that you think bigger and live a fruitful and fulfilling life by discovering your God-given purpose.

Step 5: Failure factor Challenges are part of the success journey.

The route gets so rutted and rough and you feel giving up will be the right option. Storms will always come and your attitude towards them will determine how you end up.

In storms, you choose to be taught by them or tossed away. Winston Churchill said: “Kites rise the highest against the wind — not with it.”

Step 6: Faith factor Will Edwards, an author and motivational speaker says faith is a “strong belief in something without proof or evidence”.

Faith is the fervent invisible force which says: “It’s possible!” I still remember during my primary academic years I had friends who dreamt to be broadcasters and doctors, but today they are complaining of their unsatisfying, less paying jobs.

I think these people just lost their faith along the way. One of the enemies of greatness is settling for average.

Parting step 7: It’s time to work! Oprah Winfrey says: “The big secret in life is that there is no secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you are willing to work” (cited in the book Personal Best by Marc Woods).

It’s time we acted our dreams. The simplest way to evade mediocrity and poverty is working wisely.

There are people that have sweated to their grave, but with nothing to show for it. Could they be cursed?

To some it’s a no! They did not work in line with their God-given mandate. Being successful is no longer a secret. You too can be great!