The X-factor

Would you agree that today most of us have the same set of opportunities and the same set potential?

If you agree with me, then perhaps you might like to consider this puzzling question: if we all have the same opportunities and potential why are some people more successful than others?

It could be said that some people are more privileged than others, and while this is certainly true, you could argue that there is proof in every day life of people who started off with zero and went on to accumulate incredible wealth. It could be said that some people have better academic ability than others and while this is true you could argue the case of all the people who achieved success after years of under-achieving in education. It could be said that some have more talent than others, and while this is true, there is always someone who has achieved huge success based on determination and a lot less talent.

And it could be said that there are always exceptions to rules... and if this is the case then I question how, if there are exceptions to rules, the rule came to be a rule in the first place!

I'm a writer: a novelist and an author of personal development material and as such, I'm a keen researcher because I want my work to have depth. What I want to share with you is some of that research - research that highlights a couple of, in my opinion, the vital steps to success in any endeavor.

What I've found is that the successful people start with a couple of very important qualities. These qualities, I believe, are so vital to success that, if you took it away, I doubt they could ever succeed.

What's more is this: most people who have not, or are not succeeding in life in a way they would desire fail to do these two things. So let me enlighten you?

People who succeed - people who live life with a purpose - know what they want to achieve right at the beginning of their adventure to success. They are clear on their life path or Life Purpose. They know what they want in life and they select only opportunities that bring them close to the desired result. And the other thing they do?

People who succeed know who they want to be as they move towards their success on that path of Life Purpose. They use their past to shape their future, keeping what they like and what works and discarding what fails and thwarts them.

Think about it and see if you agree: if you knew what you wanted and got clear about who you are and how your past experience could be harnessed for the good of mankind then would anything be able to stop you if you consistently applied yourself in that direction?

I doubt it!

About The Author

Neil Millar, author of the adventure novel with personal growth, Black Water and the personal growth books Greater Steps to Happiness and Be the Hero in your Own Life, writes newsletter articles for Unstoppable Life along with Life Purpose coach, Jo Ball.

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In The News:


CBC.ca

Stu Barnes announces retirement, joins Dallas Stars coaching staff
The Canadian Press - 21 hours ago
"I feel good about it being the end now and being able to walk away in one piece," Barnes said Thursday after being named an assistant coach with the Stars. ...
Stu Barnes retires, joins Dallas Stars' coaching staff Dallas Morning News
Barnes Joins Coaching Staff NHL.com
Stu Barnes retires, joins Stars' coaching staff The Associated Press
Sports Network - Boston Heraldall 237 news articles

Bruggeman to make first start for Iowa
Burlington Hawk Eye,  United States - 2 hours ago
He accepted a walk-on offer from Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, appreciating the honesty of the coaching staff in what his position on the team would be. ...
Iowa Coaching staff is fired up for 2008 season UI The Daily Iowan (subscription)
Maine looks familiar to Ferentz Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Keeping the Bears in sight UI The Daily Iowan (subscription)
UI The Daily Iowan (subscription)all 5 news articles

USA Today

The new face of Michigan football Rodriguez leads new coaching ...
The Ann Arbor News - MLive.com, MI - Aug 28, 2008
BY ANTOINE PITTS A new coach with a different offensive scheme, a stadium under massive renovation and a switch in apparel suppliers are among the many ...
Rodriguez's story is more than just West Virginia Huntington Herald Dispatch
Whole new maize and blue for Michigan football USA Today
Michigan begins new era under Rodriguez UCFSports.com
USA Todayall 67 news articles

Tampabay.com

Creampuffs, coaching debuts on the menu for first week
Detroit Free Press, United States - Aug 28, 2008
One certainly will be LSU coach Les Miles, who will lead his Tigers against the aforementioned giant-killing Mountaineers in a game matching national ...
Can they keep it up? FOXSports.com
Super Saturdays: Key national games to watch Myrtle Beach Sun News
PAC-10 Preview: Six achilles' heels TheNewsTribune.com
all 103 news articles

Varsity Extra: 1A Schools Toughest coaching jobs in 1A Division I
IdahoStatesman.com, ID - 6 hours ago
Even with a good deal of experience, Wilson admits this is the toughest coaching job he's tackled. Horseshoe Bend started the 2007 season with then athletic ...

Funk set to make coaching debut at South Lamar
The Commercial Dispatch, MS - 5 hours ago
By Henry Matuszak Rusty Funk will try to make a good first impression when he makes his debut as South Lamar High School’s football coach. ...

Thursday Coaching Comments
Rutgers University - 4 hours ago
By Jeremy Kenter PISCATAWAY, NJ – It may have taken him several years to conquer, but Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano has finally captured South ...

Washington Post

Wake Forest dealing with rare coaching departures
International Herald Tribune, France - Aug 27, 2008
Defensive coordinator Dean Hood took the head job at Eastern Kentucky, and quarterbacks coach Jeff Mullen took over as offensive coordinator at West ...
Making believers under Briles Austin American-Statesman
Wake Forest at Baylor News & Observer
Briles down after defeat, but all is not lost at Baylor Fort Worth Star Telegram
Dallas Morning News - ESPNall 425 news articles

Washington Post

Friedgen Takes Step Back, Gets Closer to Team
Washington Post, United States - 13 hours ago
So Friedgen "grinded" through last season, working harder than he had in nearly four decades of coaching, feeling as if he was not doing a good job and ...
It's Time to Pick, and Roll With It Washington Post
all 10 news articles

TVNZ

Roddick Wins at US Open After Parting With Coaching Brother
Bloomberg - Aug 27, 2008
28 (Bloomberg) -- Andy Roddick cruised into the second round of the US Open, the scene of his only Grand Slam title, with a new coach, while Lindsay ...
Courier, The Quiet Guy in the Booth, and the Coaching Drought in ... Most Valuable Network
Roddick's rockets fire warning to the world Independent
Andy Roddick's brother no longer coaching him International Herald Tribune
guardian.co.uk - Glasgow Daily Recordall 257 news articles
coaching - Google News


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