Success Requirements

Success Requirements

1. Purpose
2. Struggle
3. Sacrifice
4. Planning
5. Discipline

1. Purpose- My purpose is to ensure through my actions my children, family, friends, and all that I encounter are prepared for a life without me. A life that will, itself, be purposeful and fulfilling.

2. Struggle- The struggle that endure is against the status quo and expectation of me, as well as the flaws within myself. Being a Black American male in his mid-twenties comes with preconceived notions of ignorance, violence, senselessness, and a lack of class. Through my actions I have the, sometimes overwhelming, task to show the royalty in our DNA and prove we are not America's image of us. The flaws within myself hinder me from meeting requirements 3-5.

3. Sacrifice- A simple enough concept, but often a phrase used in vain. True sacrifice needs no presentation, it is obvious. One of the lessons learned in Economy in high school was opportunity cost; the principal difference between man and God. By creating one thing or committing time, money, focus, or other tangible and non-tangible resources to a certain thing you, by force of nature, neglect something else that could have used those same resources. The universe works with a bartering system; to receive, you must give. No Sacrifice, No Reward. 

4. Planning- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People instructs to begin with the end in mind. This "end" which is envisioned can be reached a number of ways. Planning is a working GPS on how to get to that goal. It keeps you from getting lost and lets you know your distance from your destination. It only works when you follow the directions; in other words plan effective.

5. Discipline- This is probably the hardest requirement to meet. It takes in count aspects from each other requirement. Doing Things that don't have foreseeable benefit or outcome makes it really tough to keep doing them through a struggle or "the struggle" (and I guarantee it's real). The essence of sacrifice is giving up something you want for something you want more. Discipline maintains that no matter how you feel or how much easier it is to get something you want you still overlook it for what you want more. Planning was related metaphorically to a GPS but discipline is staying the course even in traffic jams, car trouble, or inclement weather. Discipline requires focus and values not just hard work and determination. 

These are the requirements. Wondering why you aren't successful yet? Which requirement are you lacking. These are just my reflections on these simple requirements for success. What are your requirements? Your Purpose? Your Struggle?