Blog: Is Never

According to Benjamin Franklin, there are very few absolutes in this world except for death and taxes. We can rarely use words like “always” and “never” because those statements often come with asterisks, caveats, and options. But, with all due respect to Mr. Franklin, I believe I have found seven absolutes of success.

The Seven Absolutes of Success

Failure is never fatal. As the Dalai Lama said, “When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.” Learn from how you’ve failed to build your business and charge ahead.

Success is never final. Earl Nightingale said, “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.” There is more to achieve, enjoy, pursue, grow into, and give away. Success is never final.

Potential is never reached. An irrational fear of mine is that one day the man that I am will meet the man I could have been. We have unending, untapped potential and precious time to share it with the world.

Attitude is never accidental. With all the circumstances in the world, you can control only two things; your attitude and your actions.

Curiosity is never-ending. It is the curious people that change the world. Curiosity may not be good for the cat, but it is great for your mind and your soul.

Discipline is never easy. Habits are developed by wiring and rewiring our brains. But, it’s a challenge that pays dividends when we’re disciplined in the right things.

Greatness is never done. “You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness” – Zig Ziglar. Those seeds are planted, cared for, and grown our entire life.

So continually remind yourself that your failures aren’t fatal, your success isn’t final, your potential is never reached, your attitude isn’t accidental, your curiosity is unending, your disciplines in life are not easy, and your greatness is never done. Keep growing and learning and growing some more. To quote the modern baseball philosopher Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” And it ain’t over yet! What a great lesson for any time, but especially now as we head into a new year.