Four Ways to Become All You are Meant to Be

" The secret of my success is a two-word answer: Know people."

- Harvey S. Firestone

(1868-1938) American Businessman

We have all hear of someone being a "Self-made man or woman".  For one, that whole idea is not really true, but besides that, on our own we do not make up a very big or interesting world.  The fact is, to succeed in any area of life we need other people.  We need to help and serve them and we need them to help and serve us.  Author and leadership expert, Dr. John C. Maxwell says, "With the exception of one, the world is made up of other people."  And you need them all.

                Success-minded people come to understand that they cannot do it all, think it all or see it all.  To achieve full success we need the advice, insights and talents of other people.  This in no way means we are weak and lacking in talent.  It means that we have the wisdom to see that where we may lack, someone else can offer us the help we need.  Here are four ways you can become all you were meant to be.

1)  Know what you want to do  

                What is it that you are trying to achieve?  Ask yourself, "Who has done this before?"  "Who has learned lessons that I can benefit from learning."  It is silly to spend your time trying to learn lessons that others have already learned for you.  A wise and successful person knows that nothing is ever wasted.  You learn from your own and the failures of others.  You learn from your own and the successes of others. 

2)  Never limit your ability

                Recently I read a biography of Orville and Wilbur Wright.  One of the things that put these young men; with limited education and talents, ahead of those who studies aeronautics for years was their ability to learn from others.  They read every article, book or pamphlet that others put out on the subject of flight.  Many they discovered were wrong in their findings, but by discovering this they saved themselves much hard work finding it out for themselves.

3)  Learn and pass it on

                Success-minded people need to be open to all the information they can find and to freely give help and information to others.  The journey to success is always sweeter when you have others going with you.  Alone you are limited to just what you know and no more.  Alone you are limited to the talents and skills you possess and no more.  How much better to learn and grow with the greats than to be known only to your own thoughts.

4)  Know where to find help

                Who do you know?  Who in your life can help you on your journey?  Who can you learn from, be improved by and succeed with?  We all have these people around us.  You also have the advantage of those who have gone long before you.  Books, articles and the Internet offer us a wealth of knowledge that the great minds of the past never dreamed possible.  Had they known, believe me, they would have accessed it every day.  They valued books above all else, some willing to go without money for food in order to by a book.

                Make your world big.  Enjoy and learn from all the wonderful gifts that are all around you.  See each person you meet as having the potential to change your life forever.  You never know what God will bring across your path to help you achieve and fulfill your life's purpose. 

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