How to be ...........................successful and satisfied
How to be successful and satisfied
by Rusty Wright
Success is ________________
"Easy," you could say. "Success is ... for an athlete, winning a national championship or international championship or a gold medal, for an artist, winning an Oscar, a Grammy, or an Emmy, for an executive, being the chief executive one of the 500 leading companies, for a college student, he was elected president of the student center. " But it is always so easy to define?
Some years ago, Rainer, a German friend, spent three months with me in the United States.Once, while watching his first baseball game on TV, the batter hit the ball out of bounds for a "home-run". The audience went wild! Rainer turned to me with a puzzled look and asked, "Why are screaming They lost the ball?." For supporters of that team the batter was a great success.For a person from another culture, make a "home-run" was a mystery.
The meaning of success also varies with individuals. A dictionary defines success as "the achievement of a satisfactory sought goal." To be successful, you must achieve the goal and be satisfied with the result. With this definition, one wonders if the "success" that does not include the personal satisfaction - a feeling of wellbeing - is really true success.
Keys to SuccessSeveral factors contribute to success. Consider a few:
1. A positive self-image. Suppose you wake up one morning and your roommate is waiting to tell you something. He says, "I was waiting to tell you what roommate so exceptional you You're so kind, so considerate, always keep the room as neat Merely being around you motivates me to be the most positive person I can be... "
After you recover from your heart attack, you go to your first class of the day. Who you can find at the moment but your date last night? She comes in and says, "Well I'm happy to cross paths with you! Was hoping to have the opportunity to tell you again what a fabulous time spent with you yesterday. My friends are so jealous of me! They think I'm the luckiest person world for dating someone like you. And I agree! You're so kind, so smart.'ve got a great sense of humor and you are very handsome, too! Is that when I'm with you, I feel as if in a dream! "
Then fleets to your first class. Your teacher will return the exam period that surrendered last week, but before distributing said: "I would like to make an announcement I want everyone to know what this student did outstanding job on the test.". He points you in the front row and says:.. "Guy (Now or girl, he will know, of course), you're a breath of fresh air for me as a teacher always do your homework on time often you do even more than that expected of you. Look, if every student were like you, would be a joy to teach. was even considering leaving teaching until you showed up! "
Is not it help to have a great attitude towards yourself? And does not this motivate you to be a better roommate, a better boyfriend, a better student? You say to yourself, "Wow, I am a special person., After all, my roommate, my girlfriend and my teacher what they think ... and they're no fools!" You would not argue with them for a minute!{1}
Of course, some people have such a high self-concept than their egos become problems.However, many psychologists agree with Dr. Joyce Brothers when he says. "... A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life"{2}
Two. Clearly defined goals. Someone said, "Point it to anything and probably be right. Point it to a specific goal and, although not you achieve, you will have the opportunity to be much closer than if you'd never targeted."
The space program of the United States produced much success and, sadly, a few tragic failures. NASA's successes help to illustrate the importance of setting goals. Perhaps you have heard of the three electricians who were working on the Apollo spacecraft. A reporter asked them what they were doing. The first said: "I'm inserting transistors in the circuits." The second replied, "I'm soldering these wires together." The third said, "I'm helping to put a man on the moon."
Which one was more motivated and satisfied? One who probably saw their activities fit into the overall goal.
Without a clear goal in life, everyday obligations become painful. Know the goal of your life you can increase your motivation and satisfaction to see how daily activities help achieve that goal.
At the beginning of the 60s, President John F. Kennedy set the goal of putting an American on the moon by the end of the decade. In 1969, Neil Armstrong took his "small step." A specific goal helped NASA achieve an important milestone in the history. Someone want to set specific goals success.
Three. Work hard. Any successful athlete knows that there would be glory in athletics without hard work in training camp. A true test of character is not only your performance against the crowd, but how hard you work when nobody notices the office, in the library, in training.
President Calvin Coolidge believed that "nothing in the world can take the place of persistence Talent will not ... Genius will not ... Education will not ... Persistence, determination and. hard work make the difference. " {3}
"What is success," asks the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher: "I think it's a mixture of having a natural talent for the thing you're doing ... hard work, and a sense of purpose ... I think I had a natural talent for ... (my work), but the natural feelings are never enough. You must marry those natural feelings with really hard work. "{4}
The heavyweight champion of the past, James J. Corbett, used to say: "You become a champion fighting a" round 'more When things get tough, fighting a "round' more.."{5}
Success requires hard work. Of course, you can overextend and become a workaholic. A workaholic businessman had a sign in his office that read "Thank God it's Monday!" We all need to balance work and recreation, but the hard work is essential for success.
4. A willingness to take risks. Theodore Roosevelt expressed the value of this in one of his most famous statements: "It is far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even sprinkled with some failures that keep up with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the great twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat. "{6}
Ingemar Stenmark, the great Olympic skier, says: "In order to win, you have to risk losing."Consider this question: "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" That question can widen your vision and expand your dreams. Maybe your desire is to be a great political leader, an artist, a prominent businessman, an academic, a star athlete. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Now ask yourself, "Am I willing to risk a few possible failures to achieve that goal?" Success often involves risks.
Critical to the success and satisfactionA positive self-image, clear goals, hard work and a willingness to take risks. . . all contribute to success. But there is an important experience success and satisfaction in life obstacle. It is the attitude that achieving one goal will ensure happiness in life.
In 1923 he held a very important meeting at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. It was attended by seven of the most successful financiers of the world - people who had found the secret of how to make money.
Consider what happened to these men 25 years later. The president of the largest independent steel company, Charles Schwab, died bankrupt and lived on borrowed money the last five years before his death. The president of the largest utility company, Samuel Insull, died fugitive abroad and broken. The president of the NYSE, Richard Whitney, served time in Sing Sing Prison. A member of the presidential cabinet, Albert Fall, was pardoned to die at home. The greatest "bear" on Wall Street, Jesse Livermore, committed suicide. The head of the largest monopolies, Ivan Krueger, committed suicide. The president of Bank of International Settlements, Leon Fraser, committed suicide. They had learned the art of success for a living, but apparently they all struggled to learn to live successfully.{7}
The pollster and social commentator Daniel Yankelovich quotes a man who earns $ 100,000 per year as a partner in a public relations firm: "I have achieved success as defined by others, but I'm not done I look successful ... I have. publications, I lectured, I have exceeded my income goals, have properties and many people depend on me. properly So I've reached the external goals, but they are empty. "{8}
Dustin Hoffman is a highly successful film actor. His film career seems almost dazzling and includes two Oscars for his performance in "Kramer vs. Kramer." And "Rainman." But consider what he says about happiness and satisfaction ". Dont know what is happiness ... Walk down the street and see the faces when you demand happiness, are not you asking for something unreal?"{9}
Success in one area does not guarantee satisfaction in life. You can reach all your goals and still not have peace within yourself. How can you achieve your goals and be satisfied at the same time? And even if you feel a degree of satisfaction, could be something else?
Successful and satisfiedMore and more psychologists and psychiatrists are seeing the need to develop the whole person - physically, psychologically and spiritually - to produce real satisfaction. Often in our struggle for success, we focus on the physical and psychological development at the expense of the spiritual.
Not long ago, a group of directors spent considerable time in New York City interviewing some of the most successful executives in the country. They got in touch with publishers of newspapers and magazines, advertising agency executives, banks and TV networks, seeking to understand the ideas of these leaders about success.
Questions that made these counselors involved the spiritual area. The question was: "What place in your life faith and spiritual values?" In response, 75% reported that spiritual values were "important" or "very important" for both the personal and professional development. One of them said: "If they could be strengthened, many of these other things take its right place."However, it was surprising that few of these leaders had clearly defined belief in the spiritual realm. As a radio announcer with a smile said, "I am" inspirable ", but I can not find someone to inspire me!"{10}
Then these executives are talked about someone who could inspire one of the most influential figures in history, a person that emphasized the importance of spiritual development as well as physical and psychological. The life and teachings of this influential and highly successful leader have made a very positive impact on my own life too. Perhaps a little history will view my discovery.
When I was in high school, I looked for things like success in sports, studies and student politics. I was recognized as a good athlete in the main school team, as an intellectual and as a student leader. At that time, I attended one of the most recognized schools in my country. In the school studied former President John F. Kennedy, as well as Adlai Stevenson, who was our ambassador to the United Nations, Edward Albee, playwright Michael Douglas, famous film artist. Many of those who graduated from that school went to universities like Harvard, Yale and Princeton.
In school sports athletics and I dedicated myself to play basketball. My field team was invincible. I also excelled academically and I occupied the top positions in this field. I mention these details is not to boast, but to show a contrast, and that success in these areas did not bring me the personal satisfaction had been looking for. Remained an introvert, often afraid to appear before an unknown or request an appointment for a girl to go out with me. Guilt, anxiety and poor self-image often prevented me taking risks. Of course to others I showed confident and secure. But when I was honest with myself - what did not happen always - I knew I felt uneasy in human relations. My success did not bring me satisfaction I wanted.
During my first year at Duke University continued to struggle in these areas. Then I met a group of students who had something different. There was in them a joy and enthusiasm that really attracted me. I especially appreciated the way they accepted me as I was. Although they were attractive, intelligent and prosperous people, I did not impress them with the list of everything I had done. Coming out with some of the girls in the group, I did not feel pressured to impress with an image "macho." The group was accepted as they were and I also accepted me.
They were Christian students and I knew I wanted what they had. They said they had found a personal relationship with Jesus of Nazareth. I did not understand what this was and could not believe what I was told immediately. I continued going to meetings because I was curious and also because it was a good place for dating and going out with the girls. At that time getting dates was very important to me!
An open doorTo spend more time with these people, I watched how his faith affected their lives and relationships. They told me that God loved me but that I was separated from him by a separation condition called "sin." I explained that God sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life.
The more I explained, more began to make sense to me. Finally, with a simple attitude of heart said, "Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying for me and revive me.'ll Ask you to come into my life, forgive me and that you give me the complete life You promised." There was no thunder or lightning. The angels were singing the chorus of "Hallelujah." And you can be sure that I did not turn perfect overnight. (It took about six weeks for this to happen.)
But I found peace of mind and freedom from guilt. I found a purpose for living and be able to start being the person you always wanted to be. I saw my own image better and I felt more free to take risks. Today, my life is not without problems and battles, but I know that solves problems - Jesus Christ. He lives in me and makes it easier to load. He said, "I will never leave ... I'm always with you."
There are many examples of successful and satisfied Christians at once: Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys, David Robinson, a star professional basketball, JC Penney, founder of the chain stores, Dr. Charles Malik, president of the General Assembly United Nations, Mark Hatfield, U.S. Senator from the state of Oregon, Jerome Hines, Amy Grant, Pat Boone and Debbie Boone, as artists, and many more. I think there are many examples in your country too.
Being a Christian does not guarantee ultimate success. Christians have their flaws too. But a relationship with God can improve your self-image, help clarify your goals, strengthen your resolve and help you improve what you do. The personal satisfaction that Christ provides can make a positive difference too.
Here's how. Remember the illustration above on your roommate, your girlfriend and your teacher filling you with praise? Unfortunately, that does not happen every day. But God thinks you are very special, so special that He sent His only Son to die in your place. When you come to know Christ personally and you realize the magnitude of His love for you, you can find the strength to accept yourself and greater freedom to accept prudent risks. You can face rejection with confidence that although all turn against you, God will still love you. Know that He wants the best for you can increase your determination to work hard for goals that are worthwhile.
What about you? Your definition of success includes personal satisfaction? Have you found success? Your success will be enough to sustain you through the hard times can be ahead?Have you found personal satisfaction?
What a tragedy it would spend a lifetime climbing the ladder of success only to get up and discover that the ladder was leaning against the wrong wall. Are you willing to consider how Jesus Christ can make a difference in your life?
Notes{1} Illustration adapted from Zig Ziglar, See You at the Top (Gretna LA: Pelican Publication CO.1979), p. 46.
{2} Ibid p. 49.
{3} Ibid p. 319
{4} Prince Michael of Greece, "I Am Fantastically Lucky" Paradise Magazine , JUL 13, 1986, p. 4.
{5} Idem Ziglar
{6} Hugh Sidey, "To Dare Mighty Things", Time , June 9, 1980, p.15.
{7} Adapted from Bill Bright, "The uniqueness of Jesus" (San Bernardino CA: Campus Crusade for Christ, 1968) p. 14, 15.
{8} Daniel Yankelovich, New Rules , p. 69
{9} Gerald Clarke, "A Father Finds His Son", Time , December 3, 1979, p. 79.
{10} Patty Burgin, "A View From the Top" Collegiate Challenge , 1980 p. Ii
Copyright © 1999, Rusty Wright. All rights reserved.
Translation: Alejandro Field
About the Author
Rusty Wright , a writer and associate speaker with Probe Ministries, is an international speaker and award winning author and journalist who has spoken on six continents. He holds a degree in psychology from Duke University and a Masters in Theology from Oxford University.He can be reached at [email protected].
What is Probe?Probe Ministries is a nonprofit whose mission is to assist the church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview and to equip the church to engage the world for Christ.Probe fulfills this mission through our conferences Mind Games [Mind Games] for youth and adults, our daily radio program 3 1/2 minutes, and our extensive Web site at www.probe.org .Additional information about materials and ministry may be obtained by contacting Probe (in English please) as stated below. We regret that anyone in the office of Probe Ministries (Probe) in Texas, USA. UU. Speaks Spanish. The site consists of MinisteriosProbe.org tradicidos Probe.org articles.
by Rusty Wright
Success is ________________
"Easy," you could say. "Success is ... for an athlete, winning a national championship or international championship or a gold medal, for an artist, winning an Oscar, a Grammy, or an Emmy, for an executive, being the chief executive one of the 500 leading companies, for a college student, he was elected president of the student center. " But it is always so easy to define?
Some years ago, Rainer, a German friend, spent three months with me in the United States.Once, while watching his first baseball game on TV, the batter hit the ball out of bounds for a "home-run". The audience went wild! Rainer turned to me with a puzzled look and asked, "Why are screaming They lost the ball?." For supporters of that team the batter was a great success.For a person from another culture, make a "home-run" was a mystery.
The meaning of success also varies with individuals. A dictionary defines success as "the achievement of a satisfactory sought goal." To be successful, you must achieve the goal and be satisfied with the result. With this definition, one wonders if the "success" that does not include the personal satisfaction - a feeling of wellbeing - is really true success.
Keys to SuccessSeveral factors contribute to success. Consider a few:
1. A positive self-image. Suppose you wake up one morning and your roommate is waiting to tell you something. He says, "I was waiting to tell you what roommate so exceptional you You're so kind, so considerate, always keep the room as neat Merely being around you motivates me to be the most positive person I can be... "
After you recover from your heart attack, you go to your first class of the day. Who you can find at the moment but your date last night? She comes in and says, "Well I'm happy to cross paths with you! Was hoping to have the opportunity to tell you again what a fabulous time spent with you yesterday. My friends are so jealous of me! They think I'm the luckiest person world for dating someone like you. And I agree! You're so kind, so smart.'ve got a great sense of humor and you are very handsome, too! Is that when I'm with you, I feel as if in a dream! "
Then fleets to your first class. Your teacher will return the exam period that surrendered last week, but before distributing said: "I would like to make an announcement I want everyone to know what this student did outstanding job on the test.". He points you in the front row and says:.. "Guy (Now or girl, he will know, of course), you're a breath of fresh air for me as a teacher always do your homework on time often you do even more than that expected of you. Look, if every student were like you, would be a joy to teach. was even considering leaving teaching until you showed up! "
Is not it help to have a great attitude towards yourself? And does not this motivate you to be a better roommate, a better boyfriend, a better student? You say to yourself, "Wow, I am a special person., After all, my roommate, my girlfriend and my teacher what they think ... and they're no fools!" You would not argue with them for a minute!{1}
Of course, some people have such a high self-concept than their egos become problems.However, many psychologists agree with Dr. Joyce Brothers when he says. "... A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life"{2}
Two. Clearly defined goals. Someone said, "Point it to anything and probably be right. Point it to a specific goal and, although not you achieve, you will have the opportunity to be much closer than if you'd never targeted."
The space program of the United States produced much success and, sadly, a few tragic failures. NASA's successes help to illustrate the importance of setting goals. Perhaps you have heard of the three electricians who were working on the Apollo spacecraft. A reporter asked them what they were doing. The first said: "I'm inserting transistors in the circuits." The second replied, "I'm soldering these wires together." The third said, "I'm helping to put a man on the moon."
Which one was more motivated and satisfied? One who probably saw their activities fit into the overall goal.
Without a clear goal in life, everyday obligations become painful. Know the goal of your life you can increase your motivation and satisfaction to see how daily activities help achieve that goal.
At the beginning of the 60s, President John F. Kennedy set the goal of putting an American on the moon by the end of the decade. In 1969, Neil Armstrong took his "small step." A specific goal helped NASA achieve an important milestone in the history. Someone want to set specific goals success.
Three. Work hard. Any successful athlete knows that there would be glory in athletics without hard work in training camp. A true test of character is not only your performance against the crowd, but how hard you work when nobody notices the office, in the library, in training.
President Calvin Coolidge believed that "nothing in the world can take the place of persistence Talent will not ... Genius will not ... Education will not ... Persistence, determination and. hard work make the difference. " {3}
"What is success," asks the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher: "I think it's a mixture of having a natural talent for the thing you're doing ... hard work, and a sense of purpose ... I think I had a natural talent for ... (my work), but the natural feelings are never enough. You must marry those natural feelings with really hard work. "{4}
The heavyweight champion of the past, James J. Corbett, used to say: "You become a champion fighting a" round 'more When things get tough, fighting a "round' more.."{5}
Success requires hard work. Of course, you can overextend and become a workaholic. A workaholic businessman had a sign in his office that read "Thank God it's Monday!" We all need to balance work and recreation, but the hard work is essential for success.
4. A willingness to take risks. Theodore Roosevelt expressed the value of this in one of his most famous statements: "It is far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even sprinkled with some failures that keep up with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the great twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat. "{6}
Ingemar Stenmark, the great Olympic skier, says: "In order to win, you have to risk losing."Consider this question: "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" That question can widen your vision and expand your dreams. Maybe your desire is to be a great political leader, an artist, a prominent businessman, an academic, a star athlete. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Now ask yourself, "Am I willing to risk a few possible failures to achieve that goal?" Success often involves risks.
Critical to the success and satisfactionA positive self-image, clear goals, hard work and a willingness to take risks. . . all contribute to success. But there is an important experience success and satisfaction in life obstacle. It is the attitude that achieving one goal will ensure happiness in life.
In 1923 he held a very important meeting at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. It was attended by seven of the most successful financiers of the world - people who had found the secret of how to make money.
Consider what happened to these men 25 years later. The president of the largest independent steel company, Charles Schwab, died bankrupt and lived on borrowed money the last five years before his death. The president of the largest utility company, Samuel Insull, died fugitive abroad and broken. The president of the NYSE, Richard Whitney, served time in Sing Sing Prison. A member of the presidential cabinet, Albert Fall, was pardoned to die at home. The greatest "bear" on Wall Street, Jesse Livermore, committed suicide. The head of the largest monopolies, Ivan Krueger, committed suicide. The president of Bank of International Settlements, Leon Fraser, committed suicide. They had learned the art of success for a living, but apparently they all struggled to learn to live successfully.{7}
The pollster and social commentator Daniel Yankelovich quotes a man who earns $ 100,000 per year as a partner in a public relations firm: "I have achieved success as defined by others, but I'm not done I look successful ... I have. publications, I lectured, I have exceeded my income goals, have properties and many people depend on me. properly So I've reached the external goals, but they are empty. "{8}
Dustin Hoffman is a highly successful film actor. His film career seems almost dazzling and includes two Oscars for his performance in "Kramer vs. Kramer." And "Rainman." But consider what he says about happiness and satisfaction ". Dont know what is happiness ... Walk down the street and see the faces when you demand happiness, are not you asking for something unreal?"{9}
Success in one area does not guarantee satisfaction in life. You can reach all your goals and still not have peace within yourself. How can you achieve your goals and be satisfied at the same time? And even if you feel a degree of satisfaction, could be something else?
Successful and satisfiedMore and more psychologists and psychiatrists are seeing the need to develop the whole person - physically, psychologically and spiritually - to produce real satisfaction. Often in our struggle for success, we focus on the physical and psychological development at the expense of the spiritual.
Not long ago, a group of directors spent considerable time in New York City interviewing some of the most successful executives in the country. They got in touch with publishers of newspapers and magazines, advertising agency executives, banks and TV networks, seeking to understand the ideas of these leaders about success.
Questions that made these counselors involved the spiritual area. The question was: "What place in your life faith and spiritual values?" In response, 75% reported that spiritual values were "important" or "very important" for both the personal and professional development. One of them said: "If they could be strengthened, many of these other things take its right place."However, it was surprising that few of these leaders had clearly defined belief in the spiritual realm. As a radio announcer with a smile said, "I am" inspirable ", but I can not find someone to inspire me!"{10}
Then these executives are talked about someone who could inspire one of the most influential figures in history, a person that emphasized the importance of spiritual development as well as physical and psychological. The life and teachings of this influential and highly successful leader have made a very positive impact on my own life too. Perhaps a little history will view my discovery.
When I was in high school, I looked for things like success in sports, studies and student politics. I was recognized as a good athlete in the main school team, as an intellectual and as a student leader. At that time, I attended one of the most recognized schools in my country. In the school studied former President John F. Kennedy, as well as Adlai Stevenson, who was our ambassador to the United Nations, Edward Albee, playwright Michael Douglas, famous film artist. Many of those who graduated from that school went to universities like Harvard, Yale and Princeton.
In school sports athletics and I dedicated myself to play basketball. My field team was invincible. I also excelled academically and I occupied the top positions in this field. I mention these details is not to boast, but to show a contrast, and that success in these areas did not bring me the personal satisfaction had been looking for. Remained an introvert, often afraid to appear before an unknown or request an appointment for a girl to go out with me. Guilt, anxiety and poor self-image often prevented me taking risks. Of course to others I showed confident and secure. But when I was honest with myself - what did not happen always - I knew I felt uneasy in human relations. My success did not bring me satisfaction I wanted.
During my first year at Duke University continued to struggle in these areas. Then I met a group of students who had something different. There was in them a joy and enthusiasm that really attracted me. I especially appreciated the way they accepted me as I was. Although they were attractive, intelligent and prosperous people, I did not impress them with the list of everything I had done. Coming out with some of the girls in the group, I did not feel pressured to impress with an image "macho." The group was accepted as they were and I also accepted me.
They were Christian students and I knew I wanted what they had. They said they had found a personal relationship with Jesus of Nazareth. I did not understand what this was and could not believe what I was told immediately. I continued going to meetings because I was curious and also because it was a good place for dating and going out with the girls. At that time getting dates was very important to me!
An open doorTo spend more time with these people, I watched how his faith affected their lives and relationships. They told me that God loved me but that I was separated from him by a separation condition called "sin." I explained that God sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life.
The more I explained, more began to make sense to me. Finally, with a simple attitude of heart said, "Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying for me and revive me.'ll Ask you to come into my life, forgive me and that you give me the complete life You promised." There was no thunder or lightning. The angels were singing the chorus of "Hallelujah." And you can be sure that I did not turn perfect overnight. (It took about six weeks for this to happen.)
But I found peace of mind and freedom from guilt. I found a purpose for living and be able to start being the person you always wanted to be. I saw my own image better and I felt more free to take risks. Today, my life is not without problems and battles, but I know that solves problems - Jesus Christ. He lives in me and makes it easier to load. He said, "I will never leave ... I'm always with you."
There are many examples of successful and satisfied Christians at once: Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys, David Robinson, a star professional basketball, JC Penney, founder of the chain stores, Dr. Charles Malik, president of the General Assembly United Nations, Mark Hatfield, U.S. Senator from the state of Oregon, Jerome Hines, Amy Grant, Pat Boone and Debbie Boone, as artists, and many more. I think there are many examples in your country too.
Being a Christian does not guarantee ultimate success. Christians have their flaws too. But a relationship with God can improve your self-image, help clarify your goals, strengthen your resolve and help you improve what you do. The personal satisfaction that Christ provides can make a positive difference too.
Here's how. Remember the illustration above on your roommate, your girlfriend and your teacher filling you with praise? Unfortunately, that does not happen every day. But God thinks you are very special, so special that He sent His only Son to die in your place. When you come to know Christ personally and you realize the magnitude of His love for you, you can find the strength to accept yourself and greater freedom to accept prudent risks. You can face rejection with confidence that although all turn against you, God will still love you. Know that He wants the best for you can increase your determination to work hard for goals that are worthwhile.
What about you? Your definition of success includes personal satisfaction? Have you found success? Your success will be enough to sustain you through the hard times can be ahead?Have you found personal satisfaction?
What a tragedy it would spend a lifetime climbing the ladder of success only to get up and discover that the ladder was leaning against the wrong wall. Are you willing to consider how Jesus Christ can make a difference in your life?
Notes{1} Illustration adapted from Zig Ziglar, See You at the Top (Gretna LA: Pelican Publication CO.1979), p. 46.
{2} Ibid p. 49.
{3} Ibid p. 319
{4} Prince Michael of Greece, "I Am Fantastically Lucky" Paradise Magazine , JUL 13, 1986, p. 4.
{5} Idem Ziglar
{6} Hugh Sidey, "To Dare Mighty Things", Time , June 9, 1980, p.15.
{7} Adapted from Bill Bright, "The uniqueness of Jesus" (San Bernardino CA: Campus Crusade for Christ, 1968) p. 14, 15.
{8} Daniel Yankelovich, New Rules , p. 69
{9} Gerald Clarke, "A Father Finds His Son", Time , December 3, 1979, p. 79.
{10} Patty Burgin, "A View From the Top" Collegiate Challenge , 1980 p. Ii
Copyright © 1999, Rusty Wright. All rights reserved.
Translation: Alejandro Field
About the Author
Rusty Wright , a writer and associate speaker with Probe Ministries, is an international speaker and award winning author and journalist who has spoken on six continents. He holds a degree in psychology from Duke University and a Masters in Theology from Oxford University.He can be reached at [email protected].
What is Probe?Probe Ministries is a nonprofit whose mission is to assist the church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview and to equip the church to engage the world for Christ.Probe fulfills this mission through our conferences Mind Games [Mind Games] for youth and adults, our daily radio program 3 1/2 minutes, and our extensive Web site at www.probe.org .Additional information about materials and ministry may be obtained by contacting Probe (in English please) as stated below. We regret that anyone in the office of Probe Ministries (Probe) in Texas, USA. UU. Speaks Spanish. The site consists of MinisteriosProbe.org tradicidos Probe.org articles.