Tag Archives: success

Successful outcomes are often the result of relatively boring steps done well

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“Successful outcomes are often the result of relatively boring steps done well — with a few error corrections and a few moments of brilliance. It’s never a solid highlight reel.”

—Stephen St. Amant, author of savenwood.com

Image from Unsplash by Sander Sammy

Success is rarely the dazzling highlight reel we imagine.

More often, it’s built on a foundation of small, consistent actions — those “boring steps” done well, day after day.

The path to achievement is paved with routine, discipline, and attention to detail.

Along the way mistakes happen, but they’re simply opportunities for error correction and learning.

Occasionally, a spark of brilliance or creativity propels us forward, but these moments are rare.

The real magic lies in persistence and the willingness to keep showing up, even when it’s tedious or unglamorous.

If we only chase the highlights, we miss the quiet power of steady progress.

EXERCISE:

How do you stay motivated during routine, unglamorous tasks?

In what areas can you stay the course and make small corrections that can eventually lead you to some big wins?

Your first task is to find what feels effortless

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“Your first task is to find what feels effortless to you. Your second task is to put maximum effort into it.”

—James Clear, American Self-Help Writer

Image from Unsplash by Moises Alex

As a child, Serena Williams found tennis effortless — her movements on the court felt natural, almost like play.

Encouraged by her father, she recognized this gift early, but Serena didn’t stop at talent. She poured maximum effort into every practice, waking before dawn to train, pushing through setbacks and injuries.

Her combination of natural ability and relentless hard work transformed her into one of the greatest athletes of all time. Her story shows that true success comes not just from finding your strengths, but from dedicating yourself fully to developing them.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your personal and professional life does today’s quote apply to you?

Consider reading Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham to broaden your capacities for excellence and personal mastery.

“Being in the same room with people and creating something together is a good thing.”

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“Being in the same room with people and creating something together is a good thing.”

—Robin Williams, late American actor and comedian

Image from Unsplash by Clay Banks

In today’s digital age, remote collaboration is common, but nothing quite matches the energy of being in the same room with others.

When people gather physically, ideas flow more freely, creativity sparks, and connections deepen.

Shared spaces foster spontaneous conversations, rapid problem solving, and genuine teamwork that virtual meetings often lack.

Being together allows for immediate feedback, body language cues, and a sense of camaraderie that fuels motivation.

Handshakes, knowing smiles, and embraces to celebrate successes also do much to build and keep our tribes working together.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle to enhance group collaboration and create more good things in your communities.

Without question, the material world and your everyday needs distract you from living meaningfully.”

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“Without question, the material world and your everyday needs distract you from living meaningfully.”

—Menachem Mendel Schneerson, 20th Century American Orthodox Rabbi

Image from Unsplash by Paul Schafer

In our pursuit of possessions and daily comforts, we often lose sight of deeper purpose and fulfillment.

The constant chase for material success can cloud our awareness of what truly matters — relationships, personal growth, and inner peace.

While meeting basic needs is essential, allowing them to dominate our focus risks turning life into a routine of consumption rather than a meaningful experience.

To live fully, it helps to consciously step back from distractions, reflect on our values, and prioritize experiences that nourish the soul.

True meaning emerges not from what we own, but from how we connect, create, and contribute.

EXERCISE:

What are you doing to connect, create, and contribute to live a more meaningful life?

Consider picking up a copy of Toward a Meaningful Life by Simon Jacobson which includes more wisdom from The Rebbe-Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

Over the long run, it matters less how often you’re the best

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“Over the long run, it matters less how often you’re the best at whatever you take on, and matters more how often you give your best to whatever you take on.”

—Rohan Rajiv — author of A Learning a Day blog

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Consistent effort outweighs occasional success. Being the best in the moment is fleeting, but consistently showing up with your best builds true growth and resilience.

When you focus on giving your best, regardless of the outcome, you develop skills, character, and confidence that endures. This mindset encourages perseverance and personal excellence, turning challenges into opportunities to improve.

Ultimately, success is less about winning every time and more about committing wholeheartedly to each task, making life far more meaningful and fulfilling.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you shift your focus from external validation to one of personal effort and consistency?

What will the long run benefits be to you and others by choosing this approach in whatever you do?

Success is no Hocus-Pocus

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“Success is no Hocus-Pocus. Success is Focus-Focus.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Stephen Kraakmo

Focus is the cornerstone of both personal and professional success.

By concentrating on specific goals, individuals and groups can achieve clarity and direction, leading to more efficient use of time and resources.

A focused mindset helps prioritize tasks, overcome distractions, and maintain motivation.

In a world with constant distractions, cultivating focus allows you to stay on track and make meaningful progress.

Whether in career achievement or personal growth, maintaining focus is essential for realizing ambitions and reaching our full potential.

It’s a key that unlocks the doors to our dreams and can help makes them a reality.

EXERCISE:

To help you discover the magic of this important skill, please check out the book The Power of Focus written by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Les Hewitt.

Friday Review: Success

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Friday Review: Success

How do you define Success? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Success is a ladder that cannot be climbed with your hands in your pockets.”

 

 

 

“The tiny seed knew that in order to grow, it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, and struggle to reach the light.”

 

 

 

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

 

 

 

Build a life for yourself that doesn’t require validation from others.

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Build a life for yourself that doesn’t require validation from others.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Giulia Bertelli

From the time we are born we seek validation from others.

Getting what we want from parents, teachers, friends, and work colleagues seems to be the key to opening the doors of successful living.

Beyond the nods, smiles, gold stars, and promotions some of us still find our lives lacking.

No matter how many fans we have, the search for more often continues.

How we measure our lives and know when enough is enough can be a very elusive quest.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you apply more of your own views of your life as the primary validation needed to see yourself as a success?

With continuous practice and focus you are bound to be successful

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With continuous practice and focus you are bound to be successful.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Jeffrey F Lin

Prospective coaching clients frequently ask about the success rate of my client engagements.

Many people focus on the coach and the coaching process, and fail to look at their own role in the process of achievement.

As far as I know, coaches and their clipboards must remain on the sidelines.

Although we often point our fingers toward outside sources of success, it always comes down to the athlete or team’s talent, focus, and continuous practice that leads to putting points on the board in both sports and in life.

EXERCISE:

How focused are you in your personal and professional pursuits?

At what level do you strive and persist in your efforts to master your game or your craft?

How do you and will you recognize and acknowledge how far you’ve come and see the signs of success along the way?

Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights your way.

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“Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights your way.”

—Anonymous

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Passion and purpose are definitely the one-two punch of success and achievement.

Having one without the other is often not enough for us to persist and stay the course.

Many of us feel the pull of purpose to begin our journeys only to be faced with dark times that slow us down or stop us completely.

To keep the lights on and the fires burning we need the inner flames of passion when we stumble.

Passion give us the strength and resilience to pick ourselves up and take the next step and the next.

EXERCISE:

How passionate and purposeful do you feel in your current personal and professional efforts?

How can you summon this powerful pair to punch through anything that may be standing in your way?