5 Maxims for Success

Each individual defines success differently. Some people define success in terms of wealth, others by fame, and a few by how they utilize their time with family and friends. No matter, here are my five rules for success.

Rule № 1

Nothing Replaces Hard Work

Nothing replaces hard work. But how do you define hard work? It is simple: Give your best effort the first time. It may not be pretty or graceful, but it is a sincere effort to do the job right the first time. Don't complete a task just to get it done. Put some heart and soul into your endeavor. First of all, no one likes redoing something because of shoddy workmanship. If you plant a garden, take the time to build a fence to ward off pests, and spend time watering and fertilizing your garden. In the end, the rewards will be more gratifying with a more bountiful yield. If you plant your garden and hope the best, letting Mother Nature do the watering for you, you will end up with a less-than-satisfying yield of scarred and blemished fruits and vegetables. In other words, make your first effort your best. In the end, you won't hastily redo your efforts later. It will save you both time and money.

Rule № 2

Keep your Word. Build your Reputation.

What does that mean? In a nutshell, Trust. It takes time to build a reputation so that others will feel comfortable and entrust their dreams, hopes, fortunes, and livelihoods with you. And it will take seconds to undo years of building that trust with deceit and malice. So be honorable, be true to your word, and deliver what you promise when dealing with friends and family.

 Big chain department stores may offer goods that seem overpriced, but millions of people shop there week in and week out. The primary reason is Trust. The goods are backed by the department store's reputation and trust. If the goods are not to the customer's satisfaction, the customer has ease of mind, knowing that there will be no difficulty in getting a replacement or refund. We all think twice about buying something on the street because of fear of being swindled with an inferior or stolen product.

And in times of jeopardy, say, legal problems or being plagued with ill health, we never think twice about seeking out the best lawyer or the finest surgeon, regardless of cost. With trust comes the premium, in which no one will question or bargain. So, Trust has a high value that takes years to build but can be ruined in seconds.

Rule № 3

Nurture people around you; when you nurture others, they, in turn, nurture you. Never Criticize

We all have short tempers when we work with others, when the workflow seems a struggle, or when time is short. Resist the temptation to yell and criticize. The other person will appreciate patience and understanding. One spiteful word will never be forgotten. And a thousand apologies will never salve the wound created by your harsh words. So resist the temptation to berate and humiliate. In the end, upon further reflection, the outburst will be regarded as excessive and unnecessary.

Use the moment to smile and nurture, to teach and mentor. That moment, the other person will hold you in high regard and will always cherish that moment as a defining moment of your character and worth. So don't squander it; build upon it. 

It's better for a general to lead his troops with unwavering trust and admiration than with fear and retribution. In difficult times, loyal troops will rally around you; persecuted soldiers will desert you in your direst hour. 

Rule № 4

Treat everyone as a friend or family member.

At first glance, this rule seems impractical or ridiculous. Everyone wants to feel important and appreciated if others around him hold him in high esteem. Treating others well builds self-worth in others. Like a plant in a nurturing environment of adequate sun and frequent watering, treating others well will only cause them to grow and flourish. In return, the plant will share its beauty and fruits. Treating others well sets off a reciprocating effect, bestowing others with the opportunity to share their bounty with you as a reward for having faith in them.

In rare moments of our lives, we find ourselves in difficult situations when our resources seem dried up. It's those moments when prospects seem the most dire; we become overjoyed when someone comes and gives us a helping hand, a lifeline of hope. We are forever in their debt because of their kind heart. I was that individual, and I know the feeling of feeling despair one moment, and I am totally overjoyed when a stranger changes my life. I say to my reader, become a Good Samaritan every day, in little gestures. The small gesture will appear to the poor soul in need as if you were Moses who parted a great burden from their heart.

Rule № 5

Run toward your fears, not away from them

We all have fears and challenges. The worst thing is to run from them or avoid confronting them. Prepare for them. Train for them as if you were training for a marathon. Take baby steps toward confronting your challenges. And slowly build yourself in meeting the challenge. Face them head-on. And don't worry yourself, about failing. It's not failure. It's a setback, and a teaching moment rolled into one. So when you try again, you become better trained for success. It's no different than training for a marathon; it takes time and slowly building yourself to meet the challenge of the great race. And once you have completed your first marathon, the next marathon will feel like a breeze. Like any insurmountable mountain, once you reach its peak, the journey beyond the peak becomes easier and effortless.

It all revolves around the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." These five maxims are a win-win for you and all the lives that you touch. Live your life as a small inspiration in the lives of others.