Create Your Success by Acting With Enthusiasm

You have to take personal responsibility for your own success. I have a quote from Paul J. Meyer, a well known motivational speaker, hanging just inside the door to my office. I read it every time I go in and out of my office. That quote reads...

Whatever you can...
Vividly imagine,
Ardently desire,
Sincerely believe.
And enthusiastically act on...
Must inevitably come to pass.

The four most important words in this quote are "and enthusiastically act on."

When you enthusiastically act on achieving your goals, you are demonstrating commitment to taking personal responsibility for achieving them.

Hard work is one way to demonstrate your commitment to your success. Put in the time and effort you need to succeed. Do it under the best of circumstances and the worst of circumstances. I grew up in Pittsburgh. I'm a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan. As you probably know, they won the most recent Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger may not be the prettiest quarterback to watch, but he is willing to do the work it takes to perform and succeed. He played the entire Super Bowl with two broken ribs. That's commitment to performing and succeeding.

I'm not suggesting that you work when you're injured. I am suggesting however, that you need to enthusiastically act on what you imagine and desire. That means you need to seize each day and get the most out of it. Paul Meyer offers 13 suggestions for seizing the day. Here they are, and how I use them in my life...

1. Be an inverted paranoid: I believe the whole world is conspiring to do only good things to me.

2. Be a quick forgiver: I don't have time to waste in unforgiveness.

3. Be optimistic: Believing the best of people and circumstances is a sure way to find the best.

4. Be thankful: I always give thanks for the blessings I've received and keep a smile on my face.

5. Be an encourager: Encouragers make me feel better, stronger, and more capable of accomplishing my dreams. I want to do the same for others.

6. Be spontaneous: I have a sense of urgency and a do-it-now attitude. I get things done fast.

7. Be a giver: My greatest joy is giving -- especially my time and advice. I love to help other people succeed.

8. Be positive: Being positive has the potential of turning the worst situations into victories.

9. Smile a lot and laugh at life: Adversity is a steppingstone, not a roadblock. Why not laugh in the midst of the challenges?

10. Live life with enthusiasm: I will only live once, so why not give it my all?

11. Enjoy life: I truly enjoy life.

12. Find a hobby you enjoy: I read, cycle and go to the movies. No matter where I am, I always have something I like to do.

13. Look for people to help: I get up every morning excited about helping others that day. I'm really excited today, I'm recording a CD full of helpful career and life success tips.

At first, this list may seem a little surprising. It doesn't say things like "get up early," "create a to do list and cross off everything before you quit for the day" or "handle each piece of paper only once." These are good ideas, but I like the way Mr. Meyer approaches seizing the day -- being human by being positive and a giver, looking for people you can help, smiling, being spontaneous and encouraging others.

The common sense point here is clear. Successful people commit to taking personal responsibility for their career and life success. They decide what they really want out of their life and career. They create a vivid mental image of themselves having what they want. And then they act -- enthusiastically. They seize the day and do whatever it takes to get what they vividly imagine and ardently desire. Commit to taking responsibility for your success. Seize the day -- and act.