Successful vs Unsuccessful People

What’s the difference between successful vs unsuccessful people? Believe it or not, it’s not a long list of differences. It’s actually just a few key points.

Several years ago, there was a guy at the gym who asked me if I was training for a competition. I said that I wasn’t. Stages and spotlights and blingy bikinis just aren’t for me. He was astounded that I trained as hard as I did every single day. To me it was simple. Health and fitness were super high priorities for me. His question led me to thinking about all of the people that I knew that have battled not just with weight loss, but a whole variety of unrealized goals. I realized that there was a very clear distinction between those who succeed and those who fail.

So, just what is the difference between successful vs unsuccessful people?

So, what’s the difference between successful vs unsuccessful people? (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Image ID: 43705151 Copyright: Ion Chiosea)

• People who succeed make their goal a priority. That means there aren’t any ifs, ands, or buts about it. They work on their goal no matter what. You want to get better at life drawing or oil painting? Then you’d better be putting in the practice time. Don’t know where to begin? Then you probably want to look for the best options for reasonably priced or even free classes. Whatever the case may be, your goal will be in the forefront of your mind all day and every day. It will be right up there with your regular job, eating, sleeping, and showering. Something you absolutely must do because it’s that important to you.
• Successful people are unwilling to make excuses. They realize that excuses get them absolutely nowhere. They know deep in their hearts that excuses will ultimately block them from ever reaching their goals. Rather than make excuses, they hold themselves accountable. And when they do things, they do them with conviction. They go all in. There is no halfway. It’s all or nothing.
• The successful never give up. They are 100% unwilling to accept defeat when an obstacle pops up in their paths. They challenge them head on and keep going until they conquer. Part of this involves admitting that they don’t know everything and being willing to make mistakes and learn from them. That also involves being coachable when someone shows them a better way and learning how to incorporate that change immediately. Quitting is just not an option.

Unsuccessful people are exactly the opposite.

• They make every excuse in the book.
• They cave in and give up the moment an obstacle pops up.
• There is no accountability.
• They’re certainly not coachable.
• And everything they do is half-assed.

When it comes to successful vs unsuccessful people, it’s pretty clear that although it’s not a large number of differences, the few that they do have are profound. It makes sense why the successful reach their goals and why the unsuccessful never do. The unsuccessful types always baffle me. When it comes to weight loss, some of them hire fitness trainers for help, thinking that it will make all the difference. But they put all of the responsibility on the trainer and other than their once or twice a week training sessions, they never change any of their old habits. The trainer was just a waste of money.

If drawing is your goal, you must put in the practice. Try doing one sketch every day. (Photo/Art Credit: Myra Naito)

Similarly, when trying to learn a new skill like drawing or painting, you can’t expect the instructor to put in the time practicing for you. They are your guides, but you have to put in the work. Seriously. One of my first art courses was brutal. The first assignment on the first day of class was to draw 100 skulls from different angles by the next class meeting two days later. I literally spent day and night drawing skulls. You want to gain the skills? You gotta do the time!

Of course, I too, am guilty of dragging my feet from time to time. But when you finally get sick and tired of being stuck, you have to do whatever it takes to get unstuck and start moving towards your goals. You want a better situation? Then you have to do whatever it takes to get it. You can’t expect the art skills to just fall into your lap without putting in the work and hustling for it. Search for courses (physical campus or online), buy the basic supplies, and go for it! Whatever it is that you want to improve is within your reach if you’re willing to do the work. But one thing is certain…things are not going to change unless you do!

The difference between successful vs unsuccessful people is that the successful don’t play the insanity game. (Photo Credit: Myra Naito)

Further Reading:

Practice Makes Experienced

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