Secret to Success

Have you ever thought what makes people successful in life?
It's not natural talent. It's not intelligence. It's not even the right connections.
Now, lest anyone take aim and shoot down that rather bold claim, I don't mean that those things aren't factors. They are, and they make quite a difference. They just aren't the key.

Rather, the number one factor in determining success is a desire to create value - a genuine drive to cause something to be or improve upon an existing foundation, to be a catalyst for change or a beacon for inspiration. It consists of recognizing an unmet need and then going about solving this.

This may sound simple, but I'm afraid that many people never learn that. We grow up being taught to get a good education or experience so we can get a job, to secure employment where we are owed a paycheck. We work six months to a year, and then we expect a raise. We're owed that, right? A higher-up position opens up and we've been there the longest - the spot should be as good as ours. Shouldn't it?
I answer that with a quote from the late Pres. Hinkley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "The world will in large measure pay you what it think you are worth." As said another, "the world owes you nothing. It was here first."
They key difference to be learned can be largely summed up in one word: selflessness. Are we selfishly looking to our own good, feeling entitled to raises and promotions, or do we eschew the titles and the honors and go about doing good, creating value in the lives of others?
That is our choice.

Carpe Diem.