Stepping into Success
Starting is “the first step toward success,” said John C. Maxwell, international leadership expert in business and ministry. Starting is the hardest step because it’s a commitment to begin something. Dedication is difficult. Our lack of risk taking and jumping off with that first step often causes success to elude us.
“False starts and weak foundations can be ruinous,” said Maxwell. We rehearse first impressions, opening statements, and initial handshakes because how we start is important. Here’s a summary of Maxwell’s five insights to a positive start.
- Start with yourself. Practice. Prove to myself what I am made of through my commitments. As I successfully lead myself, others will follow my leadership and my success will be evident.
- Start early. The longer I wait, the harder it is to change. Start early to develop good leadership qualities and disciplines to insure success physically, financially, spiritually, and all areas of life.
- Start small. I can’t swallow the whole whale in one gulp. Take baby steps in the direction I know is right without intimidation of the big task or impossibilities of the vision. Starting small frees me to focus on the task at hand and leaves the whole whale cut into manageable bites.
- Start with vision. My dream, passion, and life purpose fulfills me the most. Find a person who is successful in my field and learn from them, tailor my occupation to include what satisfies me. Pursuing my vision helps my success.
- Start now. Do something today. Put together a long string of days doing some little something in the right direction. My success depends upon my discipline and follow through.
Now, where do we begin? Oh yeah, with myself. See you in success corner. Summarized from Maxwell’s post on the "Starting – The First Step Toward Success" on the Catalyst blog. Hop on over there to read his article and get started toward success.
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