Achievement: Expect It

Definition of achievement:
To accomplish or attain by work or effort.^[1]

Say It

As you speak the following phrases, believe and embrace them. Visualize yourself having what you state—possess it. Notice how your voice and body respond to each “I” statement:

·         I acknowledge achievement in all areas of my life.

·         I possess the skills and talents to achieve anything.

·         I am an achiever.

·         I am realizing the positive outcomes I truly desire.

·         I am thankful for all of my achievements, no matter how small.

^[1]All definitions are from Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary, Revised Edition.

Believe It

You can go beyond your current situation—in fact, more than you ever imagined is within your

reach because it’s within you. All it takes is the right attitude. To maintain that attitude, celebrate every victory. Make each one special, because small victories are living proof that you can accomplish things, and they lead to even greater triumphs.

Recently I’ve had several major achievements, including getting an article published in The Wall Street Journal and having my books published by prominent companies. While these achievements are important, they’re no more significant than completing a chore, putting my neighbor’s paper on his porch to get it out of the rain, calling my mom to tell her I love her, resisting temptation, or leading an honest life.

Reread the definition of achievement again. Notice that it contains the words work and effort. Thanks to a great coach, I learned early in life that achieving what I want often has more to do with effort than talent. When I was nine years old, Sarge, my coach, selected me for an all-star baseball team, much to my surprise. I was tall and gangly, and didn’t think I was a good enough player to make the team. Sarge explained why he picked me: “A player can have great skills, but his talent won’t mean much if he doesn’t apply himself and get the job done,” he said. “I’d rather have someone on my team who works hard, because I know he’s always going to be getting better.”

As I look back on my life now, I attribute much of my professional success to my continued willingness to hustle and do whatever is necessary to get the job done. Procrastination never became an issue for me because I’ve been clear that I can get what I want simply by working at it. Today, anytime I have difficulty with something, whether it’s lowering my golf handicap or memorizing a new keynote speech, I remind myself that I can achieve it when I’m ready to invest the time and effort needed to complete the task. Thanks, Sarge, for teaching me such a valuable lesson.

Receive It

Think of something you want to achieve: Would you like to go back to school? Run a marathon? Master a new language? Learn to paint? Landscape your yard? Become an independent consultant? Write a book? Let your imagination take you to whatever heights it wants to go.

Now envision what’s keeping you from reaching your goal. Chances are good that the barriers aren’t on the outside—they’re within you. Are you procrastinating, even on seemingly important projects? Are you afraid that you don’t have the talent to accomplish your goal? Do you think you don’t have the time? Do you see failure before you even begin?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, think again—you can turn procrastination into hustle and start working toward your objective. Mentally fast-forward to that time when you will have successfully accomplished your goal. Bask in the glow of achievement. Enjoy the feeling of attaining your desire. Feel it. Sense it. Picture it in your mind. Now believe it. Receive the sensation of success, and you’ll be inspired to achieve even greater things.

Today, decide what you need to do to overcome any barriers to your achievement, put a plan together, and take the first step.

“Achievement is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to go after.”
— Anonymous

“We have got but one life here. It pays, no matter what comes after it, to try and do things, to accomplish things in this life and not merely to have a soft and pleasant time.”
— Theodore Roosevelt

“Achievement starts when you know that your present place in life does not determine how far you will go. Its only purpose is to remind you where you started.”
— Keith D. Harrell

 

Source :  Attitude Is Everything for Success—Say It, Believe It, Receive It by Keith D. Harrell