The Key Elements of Determination and Self Discipline on the Pathway to Success (from 'The Winning Mind'')

Article Title: The Key Elements of Determination and Self Discipline on the Pathway to Success (from 'The Winning Mind'')

Author: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Success, Success Principles, Motivation, Inspiration, Sports Psychology, Sport, Mind, Mind Control, Positive Thinking, Books, Self help books and Positive Psychology (enough there now, craig!)
Web sites: www.lulu.com/craiglock and http://www.creativekiwis.com/books.html#craig

Craig's blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) is at http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22 and http://craiglock.wordpress.com

Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)

We hope that the following article (an extract from one of Craig's first manuscripts on sport psychology 'The Winning Mind' and his "zany" self development work 'Steps to Success, Prosperity and Happiness' may be informative and helpful. If it helps others "out there" on the pathway to success (and most importantly, happiness), then we're very happy.

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."
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THE KEY ELEMENTS OF DETERMINATION AND SELF DISCIPLINE
ON THE PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

"If a man has talent and cannot use it, he has failed.

If he has a talent and uses only half of it, he has partly failed.
If he has a talent and learns somehow to use the whole of it,

he has gloriously succeeded and has a satisfaction and a triumph few men ever know."
- Thomas Wolfe

I think the key words (or characteristics/qualities) on the path to success are the "five D's":

# DESIRE

# DETERMINATION

# DEDICATION

# DURABILITY
and

# DISCIPLINE (SELF).

Because everything starts out with the "seed of desire" - the reason why I started out writing - wanting to make a difference through my words. Others are FOCUS and a SINGLE-MINDEDNESS (in pursuit of one's goals). PERSERVERANCE TOO - in large "heaps". 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. That's definitely "rather obsessive little old me"!

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 focussed 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.

Spend quiet time for reflection: to give you vision, clarity and direction (ie. focus). 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 endeavour 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, Michael Schumachers and Sebastian Vettel's 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".

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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? Artists, musicians, writers, chess geniuses, athletes, tennis players, architects, athletes, scientists, dress designers and advertising creative directors. These "creative types"! There can be talent deep within; but it needs to be harnessed, then developed. So there has to be a huge amount of hard work and training put in 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 may have 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 maximising it. Maria Callas, the opera singer with "a voice like an angel" put a great deal of effort into maximising her talent. Sometimes a phenomenal talent, like a Juan Manuel Fangio*, Jim Clark, Ayrton Senna, or Tiger Woods 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, 'we mere mortals'

* 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 'cute' 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. So no matter how lowly your abilities, make the most of them.
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A positive attitude to life is all-important. The reason? My thoughts create my experience of reality. As a result, a positive attitude says that your natural talent can be maximised. 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/impending senility too). A positive attitude (together with mental toughness) helps get a person through the inevitable tough times we all go through. When everything seems to be going wrong, you can then say, "this too shall pass... someday...and I'll bounce up again"

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 - no matter your field of endeavour in life,

JUST TRY TO IMPROVE yourself and simply DO YOUR BEST at all times.

And most importantly...

NB: Remember: "Perspiration comes through (and after) INSPIRATION."

Have great FUN enjoying the journey of life shining your own bright light on humanity.

Shared by Craig Lock Eagle Productions
("Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder")

"To live your life in your own way
To reach the goals you've set for yourself
To be the person you want to be -
That is success."
- author anon.

"There is one only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way"
- Christopher Morley

"The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
- Charles Du Bos

"I am not just a human being...
I am a human 'bean' just becoming."
- My good friend and "wise" intellectual philosopher, Dr Andy Eastcott (thanks for fixing my teeth and for the most
interesting discussions on life, "mate")

"The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become."
- Harold Taylor

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have."
- Abraham Lincoln

"Oh man! There is no planet sun or star could hold you, if you but knew what you are."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"He who cherises a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it. Dream lofty dreams and as you dream so shall you become."
- James Allen

"No vision and you perish; No Ideal, and you're lost; Your heart must ever cherish Some faith at any cost. Some hope, some dream to cling to, Some rainbow in the sky, Some melody to sing to, Some service that is high."
- Harriet Du Autermont

"Together, one mind, one life at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift and encourage to reach their fullest potentials."

PPS

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to use the Internet and he won't bother you for months...or perhaps even years!
(Sorry men!)

As they carry me to my deathbed, I'll be saying:
"Lord,
Can you just give me one more hour to finish off this one last article, or book.... PLEASE!"
- craig (as inspired by the quote of singer, Barry Manilow)