Passing The Test

"You don't get to succeed without being tested and challenged."

- Darren Hardy

Publisher / Author

Can you remember the fear and tension you felt in school when you got into class and right off heard, "There will be a pop quiz today"?  I always felt that I was never ready.  I hated tests in the first place, but unexpected ones made me crazy.  However, my friend John was always clam and pop quizzes did not seem to bother him in the least.  He said it was because he made sure he was always ready for the test.

                So it is in life.  Every day we are faced with a pop quiz that we did not expect.  The tests and challenges we face are there to help us grow and to become the best we can be.  The choice we face is not whether we will have the tests and challenges; nothing we can do about that.  The choice is whether or not we will be ready for them.

                Success-minded people must always be ready for the unexpected.  We must be prepared for the next test, if that be good or bad.  Only by thinking ahead and always being ready can we move on to success.  Here are a few thing you can do to be ready for the next test:

Know Your Stuff

                Whatever areas of business, art or ministry you are in, know what it is you are doing.  Always be a student and learning something new every day.  The more you know the better prepared you will be to handle the surprises that hide behind every corner.

Keep A Positive Attitude

                Nothing will be a greater help to you in all areas of life than a good, positive attitude.  This does not mean you ignore the possibility of difficult things happening in your life.  Really, you expect them.  The difference is that you know you are ready for them and you believe that you will overcome them.  Nothing is stronger than a positive attitude.

Keep The Negative Out

                Along with staying positive, you must not allow the negative to creep into your life.  Do not spend time with negative and fearful people who tell you all that is wrong or that will not work for you.  Be mindful of the music you listen to, the TV and movies you watch and the things you read.  Fill your life with encouraging and inspiring things not defeated and destructive things.

Maintain Good Relationships

                Have strong, positive and successful people around you.  Be the kind of person who attracts strong people.  Be loyal and kind as a friend and be willing to give as well as receive from those you have in your life.  Show love freely and without conditions.  You will find great strength in the love and caring from and for others.  No one goes through life along, so choose your companions wisely.

To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2014 John Patrick Hickey