If you plot the people in the world with degree of success achieved on a vertical axis, I am sure you will get a pyramid like shape like shown below. At the top of the pyramid you would be able to place very few successful people who achieved large goals and the pyramid will gradually bulge as you descend with a flat bottom where largest number of people could be mapped.
Would you agree? If not, I would be very interested to know your perspective. Kindly let me know your views in the comments below.
f you try to mark the intelligent, talented, or purpose-driven passionate people on this plot, I am sure you will find them throughout the y-axis. Something like the next picture.
Would you agree?
Rationale minded may be wanting to see data behind this claim, but I would like to ask them to reflect on this claim with the observation and experience from their life. Alternatively, there are plenty of psychological research findings which are scattered and could take years to compile.
What does it tell us?
- Success is not guaranteed if you are intelligent, talented, or passionate about a purpose.
- To be successful, there is a missing piece.
One popular view we hear is that people who are either intelligent, talented, or passionate about a larger purpose are the only ones successful. Well, firstly, not everybody who meets the above criteria are successful and secondly, not everybody who is successful meets above criteria. There are plenty of examples around us to look at. I personally know a lot of passionate people but struggling, I know many high IQ individuals who are unable to move beyond intent in their mind.
So, if you have heard that you are not as intelligent, as talented, or as passionate compared to others, don’t let that stop you. Intelligence, talent, or passion for a purpose are necessary but are not enough.
Even if you overlook people who are already working towards it there are quite many who are non-starters so to say.
So, why are people who seem to have a clear direction and are so passionate about a useful PURPOSE but are unable to find the necessary fuel to begin their journey?
Though every time they talk about the topic, they are so energized, feel so strongly about it yet something is missing in the equation that keeps them from working towards it.
What is that which keeps them away from pursuing their interest?
The missing piece is ‘DISCIPLINE’ that enables a CONSISTENT PRACTICE towards what you want to achieve. How does it work?
Without discipline, your efforts on anything is short-lived. You may start, continue for some time, and stop doing it and go back to square one. The power of discipline is that it fuels your efforts on a regular basis until realization of goals and progress further!
I often hear from people who claim to be driven towards a purpose, feel very strongly about their goals,
- I am lazy and just don’t get to start but I will.
- I don’t find the motivation to sustain. I start and stop soon enough.
- I don’t know where to start. The purpose is so big and daunting, and I am overwhelmed about where to start.
- I am currently busy on my job and will do something in some days/months/years.
- I cannot focus on what I want to do but I surely want to do something in my life.
- I am toying with some ideas and I will decide soon, but they never end up deciding.
- I do not have the resources (money and others) to start
They cannot sustain their efforts though what they intend to do is of interest to them.
Key is discipline through which you just need to focus on the next step and keep a consistent practice. Daily practice could lead to improvement daily and with a significant compounded effect as a result.
It could take years for people to take the first step, the journey to success could take years or decades, your disciplined practice is the fuel that you require to sustain this long journey.