You Can Win

because they lack knowledge or talent but because they quit. The total secret of success lies in two
words, persistence and resistance. Persist in what must be done and resist what ought not be done.
A man is a hero not because he is braver than anyone else, but because he is brave for ten minutes
longer. --Ralph Waldo Emerson 3. Instant Gratification We think short term, not long term. That is
limited vision. We are living in an age of instant gratification. There is a pill for everything, from
waking you up to putting you to sleep. People want to take a pill to get rid of their problems. When
people want to be instant millionaires, they take shortcuts and compromise on their integrity. The
desire to make a million overnight has made the lottery a flourishing business. Remember that instant
gratification never thinks of consequences, only of momentary pleasures. Today's generation defines
the ideal diet as one that will take off five pounds for good intentions. These are people who don't want
any more birthdays but want all the presents. 4. Lack of Priorities People make substitutes where they
ought not to. For example, in relationships, they trade money and gifts for affection and time. Some
people find it easier to buy things for their children and spouse to compensate for their absence. When
we don't have our priorities right, we waste time, not realizing that time wasted is life wasted.
Prioritizing requires discipline to do what needs to be done rather than going by our moods and
fancies. Too much emphasis is placed on success and failure rather than doing one's best. How do you
cope with defeat and problems? Your response to this question says a lot about your character. One of
the keys to solving this mystery to success is understanding. Some people have their mind set on
money, power, fame or possessions. We have to understand our priorities. Success does not come by
reading or memorizing the principles that lead to success, but by understanding and applying them. 5.
Looking for Shortcuts
No Free Lunch There is a story about a king who called his advisers and asked them to write down the
wisdom of the ages so that he could pass it on to future generations. After a lot of work, the advisers
came up with several volumes of wisdom and presented them to the king. The king called his advisers
and said that it was too long, people would not read it. They had to condense it. The advisers went back
to work and came back with one volume. The king said the same thing. They came back again with one