The Practice of Success
We have been looking at 7 principles of success. The third principle is practice- the actual work and initiative toward success. God made a promise to Joshua in Joshua 1:8,“ This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” The operative word in this verse is “do”. Sooner or later you have to take action to succeed.
There are 4 steps to moving ahead and getting things done:
1) Goal setting- “a goal is a dream with a deadline.’
Your goal or goals should flow out of God purpose for your life. It is a declaration of where God wants you to go next. Without a target, any shot can be justified as a good shot. Many avoid setting goals. Why? It often is a fear of failure. Others do not want the pressure of accountability. For some it’s a lack of faith.
J.C. Penny once said “ Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I will show you someone who will make history,. Give me a man without a goal and I will show you a stock clerk.” I recently read that only 5% of Americans set goals and they are the 5% highest paid people in America.
Guidelines for goals? One Pastor once taught me to think of the acrostic- S.M.A. R. T.
Specific
Motivational
Attainable
Relevant (to your purpose in life)
Trackable
The next steps;
2) Action Plans -write down the steps you need to take to reach the goal. Include timelines.
3) Hard work – “ Work is the price we pay on the road to success.” Nothing really replaces hard work. Most people believe they are working hard. Ask someone who cares about you for input and accountability for the hours you put into the job. Measure what you are accomplishing.
4) Discipline – This is the biggest obstacle to success. Aristotle said. “Self control is the hardest victory.” We must discipline our time as well as our emotions (stay under control).
All the purpose and planning in the world is a dead end unless someone does the work. Few people are total failures. However those who fail to take action mostly end up just being average. People who died with the music still inside them.
There are 4 steps to moving ahead and getting things done:
1) Goal setting- “a goal is a dream with a deadline.’
Your goal or goals should flow out of God purpose for your life. It is a declaration of where God wants you to go next. Without a target, any shot can be justified as a good shot. Many avoid setting goals. Why? It often is a fear of failure. Others do not want the pressure of accountability. For some it’s a lack of faith.
J.C. Penny once said “ Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I will show you someone who will make history,. Give me a man without a goal and I will show you a stock clerk.” I recently read that only 5% of Americans set goals and they are the 5% highest paid people in America.
Guidelines for goals? One Pastor once taught me to think of the acrostic- S.M.A. R. T.
Specific
Motivational
Attainable
Relevant (to your purpose in life)
Trackable
The next steps;
2) Action Plans -write down the steps you need to take to reach the goal. Include timelines.
3) Hard work – “ Work is the price we pay on the road to success.” Nothing really replaces hard work. Most people believe they are working hard. Ask someone who cares about you for input and accountability for the hours you put into the job. Measure what you are accomplishing.
4) Discipline – This is the biggest obstacle to success. Aristotle said. “Self control is the hardest victory.” We must discipline our time as well as our emotions (stay under control).
All the purpose and planning in the world is a dead end unless someone does the work. Few people are total failures. However those who fail to take action mostly end up just being average. People who died with the music still inside them.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
February
March
April
Leadership Principles of Jesus #3Leadership Principles of Jesus #4Leadership Principles of Jesus #5The Power of TruthThe Deity of ChristThe Incarnation—God With UsLíderes que perduran, primera parteLideri care rezistă, Partea 1Líderes que Duram, Parte 1वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 1القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الأولLeaders Who Last Part 1Jesus Died for Our SinsResurrection and AscensionOvercoming the WorldThe Promise of PeaceThe Peace of GodThe Spirit of TruthPeace in the Midst of ConflictLíderes que perduran, parte 2Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 2-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 2वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 2القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الثانيLeaders Who Last Part 2Facing Doubt with Truth
May
The Implications of Believing in GodThe Denial of God’s WordEmbracing the Truth for PeaceThe Tabernacle and the VeilThe Sacrifice of JesusBold Access to GodLíderes que perduran, parte 3Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 3-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 3वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 3القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الثالثLeaders Who Last Part 3Peace in the Midst of TrialsPeace with GodThe Peace of GodLiving in PeaceComfort in Troubled TimesThe Promise of JoyJoy Beyond CircumstancesLíderes que perduran, parte 4Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 4-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 4वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 4Leaders Who Last Part 4القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الرابعThe Joy of Access to GodOvercoming Internal StrugglesThe Shepherd Who ComfortsExperiencing the Fullness of JoyBuilding RelationshipsThe Reality of PersecutionLíderes que perduran, parte 5Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 5-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 5वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 5القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الخامسObedience through LoveLeaders Who Last Part 5The Importance of CommunityLove Your NeighborThe Reality of BelongingCelebration of CommunityExpecting OppositionThe Power of Seed PlantingLeaders Who Last Part 6القادة الذين يدومون الجزء السادسStanding Firm in FaithLíderes que perduran, parte 6Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 6-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 6वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 6Choosing Your MasterThe Example of HumilityThe Ultimate SacrificeResponding to God’s Call
No Comments