Personal success is easy as long as life goes according to plan. But what happens when life throws you a curveball? When instead of sunny days the forecast holds stormy clouds? Sure, it’s easy to live it forward as long as everything is going smoothly, but hit a few bumps along the way and personal success becomes more challenging.
Yet, as Dan Miller writes in Wisdom Meets Passion:
“Successful people are not excuses makers. They take responsibility for their actions and the results they get. Where others see obstacles, frustrations, discouragement, and despair, they see hope and opportunity. They approach every situation with the enthusiasm, confidence, and boldness that come only from having a clear plan of action and the anticipation of a positive outcome.
“If you’ve never had a chance, an even break, or the right opportunity, check with the person in the mirror. He or she has the keys for the succes you are looking for.”
I couldn’t agree more! Personal success starts with the man or woman in the mirror. This is true whether life is a bed of roses or a bushel of thistle and thorns.
In his book The Success Principles, Jack Canfield explains an equation he learned from his mentor W. Clement Stone. According to Canfield, this equation is the #1 principle for personal success. The formula he learned is this:
E+R=O
(Events + RESPONSE = Outcome)
You see, most people believe E=O. They believe the events in their lives determine the outcomes they experience. This is why most people never experience significant personal success.
Successful people, however, add a R to the equation. They realize they cannot control all the events that occur in their lives, but they can take 100 percent responsibility for how they respond to the events and circumstances they face. And this one little letter is what leads to personal success!
Recently, I shared this personal success concept during a keynote presentation to an audience of about 1,200.
Personal Success Formula: E+R=O
Question: How do you take 100 percent responsibility for your R? What strategies do you use to own your responses?
