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Sign of Success?


So, why aren’t you a huge success?

What’s taking so damn long for your “ship” to come in? You’re certainly gifted, hardworking, devoted, smart, and all that. You’re much smarter, and better at what you do than most of the lucky SOBs with a sh _ _pot full of money for displaying half-as _ _ed talent. So, what’s the deal? “Whassup?” Well, perhaps the question does not apply to you. I pose it to stir conversation. Right!

If you have not asked yourself these and other questions then congratulations. And even if you have asked them, there are likely others who have also asked them about you, either to your face or behind your back.

I believe discouragement and despair are first cousins, if not siblings, to sincere effort. Success is often failure outlasted. Wherever one looks, success is often defined for us. However, more importantly, how do you define success for yourself? What is your unspoken but honestly felt definition, independent of what others say or think? Here’s a scenario:

A man or woman earns or wins $1,000,000.00 on Monday. This person is hailed by friend and foe as a newly-minted millionaire. Then calamity strikes: by Tuesday, this new millionaire is depressed and dealing with a harsh reality. No, family and friends did not persuade our millionaire to part with their new fortune. One visit and one purchase, at the ’99 Cents’ store, rob them of their millionaire status. No recognition is heaped upon “thousandaires.” Nonsense, you say. Fair enough. However, for some this would matter a great deal.

How is your bank balance? If you are an author, how many thousands of books have you sold? How many floors, bathroom suites, and bedrooms are in your home? When you finished and published your first book, did you feel accomplished…successful? Do you still? Have you given up because Oprah did not call, or because, Random House has not signed you? Whatever your goals, do you pursue them daily, even if some days require greater effort?

If you are a businessperson, are you concerned because your new Maybach or Bentley is taking forever to arrive, and you are embarrassed to be stuck in that ol’ Mercedes 600S made way back last year? You have my condolences.

How’s your health? Do you have friends, spouse, family members, siblings who love you unconditionally? Are you able to eat on demand; sleep under the stars, by choice; wear shoes without feeling naked concrete on your feet; wake up mornings and get from bed without the help of an earthquake? Congratulations, even if all your answers were not a resounding, “Yes!”

While I consider myself successful, others who mostly have their palms up, not a helpful hand held out, perhaps wish more for me. Yet, I am thankful for them, as I am for those who recognize my achievements, even when I am sometimes embarrassed (slightly) by their laudatory voices.

So, are you successful? And is there some magical date which, upon arrival signals that all your struggling for success should necessarily be finished? If so, all that was required is that you watch the calendar and wait. Who knew?

I end where I began: “So, why aren’t you a huge success, or are you, and by whose definition?” What say you?

Gene Cartwright
CEO, iFOGO.com | iFOGO Village

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Comment by Jean Purcell on September 18, 2009 at 11:40am
Colin, I think that if you would put about 11-14 words after your book title every time you refer to it, that could at least boost info about it. Links are standard, yet many people want to see a quick summary right away. Sardinian Silver ?- "What is it about? What genre? e.g. fiction? historical fiction? mystery? travelogue? personal narrative? And I don't know much about Sardinia. Is the book/story? set there? If yes, could you tell me where Sardinia is?" Answer those kinds of questions in one sentence no more than 14 words, an answer with adjective(s) and verb(s) action that make your book content stand out in brief. I'd love to see the summary sometime.
Comment by A. Colin Wright on September 10, 2009 at 1:18pm
Like others, I'm trying to promote my book Sardinian Silver on line. So far I have few sales, but there are a few good sites. Note the third one below my signature.

Well, my life's pretty good, when I remember to be thankful for what I have instead of moaning about what I haven't.

A. Colin Wright
http:www.sardiniansilver.com
http:www.acolinwright.ca
http:www.authorsden.com/acolinwright
Comment by Barbara Hart on August 19, 2009 at 10:47am
Yes i'm a author of two books'. No my bank account isn't overflowing, if anything it's just the opposite. No royalties from my books, unless I purchase some myself. My financial status is not where I want it to be to promote my books. I've asked for aid in the success of them, but have had no luck. The only thing that I can do to promote myself or books is to do it on line, which is what I'm doing. If you dont have money, no one will even give you a chance. No one will take the time to check out what you're offering, so that leaves you in a situation as to where you are like a rock stuck in a hard place with no sight of hope. With all of this going on, you know that you can't give up on your hopes and dreams. If you send a message, it comes back undeliverable.
Barbara
http://www.annb106.wordpress.com
http://www.annb106@linkedin.com
http://www.annb106@facebook.com
Comment by Jane Joyce on August 17, 2009 at 5:17pm
Yes, the light I've seen in my reader's eyes resounds a giant yes. My novels haven't made me rich, but I have a wonderful and successful life and if greater riches are deserved for me, then I shall eventually receive them. I do believe this is a powerful message, to focus on what you do have and not what you don't have. Cheers.
Comment by ANTHONY ARNOLD on July 10, 2009 at 2:20pm
It's a jungle out there! It's not always easy to outwit charlie!
Comment by Gene Cartwright on July 10, 2009 at 1:55am
What say you?

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