Success series.

The Success Series
Learn From the Past - Live in the Present - Plan to the Future
I am amazed every day at how many people stumble over and struggle with so many of life’s basic activities. My surprise is not judgmental but rather disbelief that people, from all walks of life, royally screw up everyday.

Don’t get me wrong – I never said I was perfect and yes I am as flawed as all humans are. But deep down, I believe I have sufficient talent to make it happen. You might say that I am wrong, and you may be right but, despite that possibility I approach everyday with a sincere desire to do everything I do better and faster. Guess what, more often than not, I succeed.

Every challenge I am thrown I attempt to resolve responsibly. Every uncertainty that crosses my path I endeavor to confront and take incisive actions. And every person I meet I try to truly understand and help.

For me there is only one path we all must take – one of optimism – an abundance of energy and a constant “glass half-full-can-do” attitude. No this isn’t arrogance, nor is it youthful ignorance. Almost 50 years of life, many awards, more than ten books with my name on, and just about every goal ever set achieved, I can honestly say that it is a mindset – a logical and deep rooted belief that everything is possible and everything should be done the best way you can.

A long time ago, I believed that everyone thought that way. My school alma mater, my college buddies and my social friends. But time has shown me that most didn't.

Of course between the hundreds, sorry I mean thousands of people with whom I have crossed paths, there have been others that have been successful. Unfortunately they have been few and far between - not what I believe should be the case.

Many have walked away from an opportunity or have stumbled largely because they are uncertain. Uncertain of themselves and their skills, confused about how to play the game of life, disillusioned about government and corporate America, frustrated when they are unable to get what they want, indecisive about complex decisions, perplexed as to why life has seemingly dealt them a poor hand and just generally befuddled about the decisions of others that have affected them. Maybe it would have been better to try and fix the mistake rather than complain about who is to blame.

Yes, life can deal anyone a bad blow at any time. It’s sad when you are on the receiving end, but deal with it. Learn not to complain and play the hand that you've been dealt the best you can. If you don’t have a skill, acquire it. If you have never done something before, try it. Never say never.

With that I would challenge you to realize that although the future depends on many things, it mostly depends on you.

That has led me to, wherever I can, share my principles of logic, understandings and thinking processes. And that is what The Success Series is all about - a collection of short simple exposes rendering guidance about essential and topical aptitudes and traits everyone should seek to possess. They are everyday skills such as perseverance, determination, leadership, delegation, time management, teamwork, etc. that will improve anyone’s overall ability to be more successful in the real world. These aptitudes do not apply to any specific industry and strangely enough are not usually taught in our education system - yet they are important basic building blocks.

I hope by sharing my insights and experiences that I will in a small way contribute toward improving your life. My goal is to encourage you tackle and accomplish the task is that confronts you - whatever it is. Remember ideas are a dime a dozen – people who put them into action are priceless.

Stefan Swanepoel

PS: I leave you with a few quotes that have stopped me in my tracks, made me think twice and yearn to be better:

“There is a great distance between said and done.”

"Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better.”

“Our days are like suitcases – all are the same size – but some people just pack more into theirs then others.”

“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”

“Blowing out another’s candle will not make yours shine any brighter.”

“Never ask a question you don’t want to hear the answer to.”

“Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.”

“The most important trip you may take in life, is meeting people halfway.”

“Success is when…
       you do more than you need to
       before you are asked to do it,
       not because you are asked to do it –
       but because you want to do it.

“A genius is someone who shoots at a target no one else sees and hits it.”

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Articles in The Success Series

Go the Distance
The Power of Perseverance

The Chess Game of Life
Business Planning Made Simple

Jumpstart your Engine
Improving Personal Productivity

Albert Einstein
Creative Problem Solving

Clockstoppers
Managing Time More Effectively

The Buck Stops Here
Effective Delegation

Conquering the Butterfly
Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

To Meet, or Not to Meet
Conducting Effective Meetings

The Power of One…More
Appointing an Assistant

All for One and One for All
Managing Teams

Bridge Over Troubled Water
Cross-Cultural Communications

The Art of Diplomacy
Delivering Negative Messages