The Illusions of Success!
By Dr. Synesio Lyra, Jr.
Many years ago I read a book with a unique title: “Success is a Moving Target,” and since then I’ve come to verify the accuracy of that statement in countless occasions. It’s very easy for some people to think that because success occurred once, it will automatically happen in perpetuity.
Yet, factors that produced success at one time may not be what is required in other occasions and circumstances, to bring similar results. Furthermore, some types of success are to meet unique needs at a given moment, offering no guarantee of its repetition in other situations, times, and places.
“The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow,” wrote C. William Pollard, Chairman of The Service Master Company. Success achieved requires maintenance and further expansion if it is to remain viable, and worthy of the label of success! Besides, each task often calls for its peculiar type of success.
Several individuals today, choose to hide behind the experience of a previous, momentary success which, sadly, did not continue nor did it expand. A legitimate image of great achievement was created at first, but soon thereafter left with no legs to stand, much less to advance!
True success most often stems from collaborative efforts, with a view toward positively impacting the greatest number of people through a product, an idea, or some other concrete deed planned and executed together. It inevitably occurs when unanimity is reached “in doing things right and in doing the right thing” by those aiming to succeed!
There is no legitimacy in what people designate as success, unless it’s never devoid of the elements that guarantee its permanence and consistent advancement toward additional excellence. It requires the continual supply of the indispensable ingredients that ensure its top quality and impact!
Planning for success, and achieving it, is a legitimate goal for individuals, organizations, and others who can uniquely benefit others. After all, the only alternative to success is not a commendable one since no sane individual ever chooses failure as the ultimate goal in life!
