The Problem and Solution Lie Within

by Asoka Selvarajah

Whatever your lot in life, you doubtless consider it to be a combination of external factors: some positive and others negative. This is partly true. However, it may surprise you to know that at any point, barring acts of God, your future is almost entirely in your own hands. This may sound like too much to believe…after all, if it were true, there would be no excuses left. You could not blame your situation on parents, the government, your boss, husband or wife, your race, or anything else. And, if we reject this thought it leaves us with plenty of excuses, and a comfortable, if not rather mediocre life. Napoleon Hill’s book “Think & Grow Rich” makes it clear that Success only comes to those rare few who (a) create a major definite purpose they burn to achieve, and (b) pursue that purpose with total determination and persistence. Interestingly, the qualification is not that you need prior experience or talent in that which you seek, but rather, it is the purpose, backed with the determination to never give up in attaining it and is combined with tapping into the Infinite Intelligence of the universe, that brings about lasting success.

However, most think differently. You may think you cannot succeed because you do not have enough experience, have little money, or are disadvantaged in some way. If so, consider the examples of people like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Both had nothing more than basic schooling. Van Gogh learned to paint relatively late in life. Stevie Wonder is blind. The world’s leading cosmologist, Stephen Hawking, is in a wheelchair and can-not even speak without a voice machine. Oprah Winfrey was born black, dirt-poor, and abused as a child—and is one of the highest-paid TV personality in America!

The basic problem that holds the vast majority from achieving astonishing success is that they lack self-esteem at the very deepest subconscious level. We place a ceiling on what we are capable of achieving, because it makes us feel better about ourselves. It’s better to shield ourselves with dozens of excuses than to admit to ourselves that we could have done better, if only we had the courage and self-belief. We spend our entire lives crawling around on our knees beneath this insanely low ceiling we created. An absurd image? Is that the way you live life?

Within certain obvious physical limits (e.g. a 70-year old trying to win the Olympic 100m), there is almost NOTHING someone else has achieved that you could not achieve if you had a burning desire to do it, made this the major definite purpose of your life, and pursued it with relentless determination.

Burn the ships and the bridges and then head forward. No excuses or fallbacks. That is the only attitude for achieving the very highest levels of attainment. Know that the comfort zone is the greatest barrier to success. If you achieve a certain level, the temptation to relax and bask in the weak sunlight of what you’ve attained can be overwhelming. A high level of dissatisfaction serves as excellent motivation to spur you further. That way, you will take risks, which is the only way to move forward rapidly. If you take NO risks in life, you may never know the true meaning of success and self-realization. In fact, the most common regret of dying people is the things they did NOT do, and the risks they did NOT take. Attaining success in any undertaking should make you feel uncomfortable and challenged. Things are only totally comfortable when you are not making any progress. That is why it is called the Comfort Zone.

A beginning point for success is to examine those beliefs and values you embraced long ago. Where did they come from? Did you think them up or inherit them? Are there any contra-dictions there that hold you back? For instance, if you want to become rich, but have a deep-seated belief that money is the root of all evil, how likely are you to succeed? Isn’t it like driving with the handbrake on? Most of the time, this is exactly what you are doing. Another example. You want to be promoted and given more responsibility at work? However, when you look within, you don’t feel worthy of it, or even believe your colleagues are better than you. Some deep self-examination is necessary. Take time with yourself and ask what your limiting beliefs are. Working on deepening your sense of self-esteem is the most important work you can do. It precedes any external success you may wish for. With self-esteem, you won’t care what others think. If afraid of failure, it’s almost certainly because failure is frowned upon in society.

External factors have less to do with where you are at than you may ever have imagined. The main factor for dramatic success or failure lies within. So, next time you stand in front of a mirror, ponder the eyes looking back into yours. The answers to every success in your life, now and in the future, lie right there…staring back at you.

All rights reserved © Asoka Selvarajah, author of “The 7 Golden Secrets To Knowing Your Higher Self” offers a free 14-day Life Break through e-mail course at: www.aksworld.com?imk=?ILTI_Ezine