Every time I make the 45 minute drive from home to Clarksville, I take Little Barton’s Creek Road. This seven-mile two-lane road cuts the drive town down significantly. Like any country road, it passes farms, old abandoned houses, rusted out cars, barns, and a large tobacco curing complex. About halfway down the road, there is a house where a large white dog stands watch. Without fail, every time I drive past, he chases my truck at least 50 feet or so before giving up and going back onto his porch.
I always wonder what he would do if he caught me. I wonder if he’s ever asked himself that question?
Most people I know want a life better than the one they have now. They dream about a new career, wealth, better relationships, and more happiness. Some go as far as setting up goals to get those things. A few actually achieve them. Most start well and then give up. It’s as if they’re that white dog who chases my truck. I suspect down deep inside they don’t know what they would do if they achieved those dreams. Could it be they’re afraid of success? Are you afraid of success? If not, you should be. Here’s why:
- Success will eliminate the ability to blame others. If you’re not successful, you can always pin it on someone else, the system, your economic situation, your skin color, or your upbringing. If you have success, then you know the formula which involves hard work. Once you have success, others can point the finger at you and say that you’re lucky. You will never again get sympathy.
- Success means that others will want your time and attention. People who are serious about being successful know that successful people have the answers they seek. If you’re successful, people are going to want to “pick your brain,” want your advice and guidance, and will hold you in esteem. That’s a lot of responsibility and pressure.
- Success means that you will need to have continual success or else you’ll be seen as a “one-hit wonder” much like many 1980s music groups. You can never again be mediocre or others will deem you a failure. It’s more painful to fall from success than it is from levels of expected failure. Your success journey will never end.
My dad told me once that it’s better to expect the worst and you won’t be disappointed. In other words, don’t bother chasing that Toyota pickup truck. You won’t be able to catch it and if you do you won’t know what to do with it. I think that’s what motivated me to push hard to find success.
I wrote those three points above sarcastically. I believe success is a noble goal and we should all strive for it. I want you to strive for it. I’ve told people that I chase big accomplishments regardless of what others tell me. I figure if I’m the dog, I’ll figure out what to do with that truck once I get my teeth on the back bumper. After all, something told me it was worth chasing.
Will you join me?