Build Success with Endurance, Competence, Fairness, and Dedication

Upon entering the workforce, the goal is to be promoted to a leadership position, make enough money to purchase a fast car, and accumulate time for a vacation. However, none of this is achievable without qualities that build success.

Sure, classrooms teach the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but some competencies cannot be taught; they must be modeled, observed and practiced until they become inherent in a person’s personality: endurance, competence, fairness, and dedication.

Endurance

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

These two quotes by Maya Angelou exemplify her life. After being raped as a child, and then not talking to anyone but her brother for five years, Maya learned to take charge of her life and became an inspiration to others.

She rose from poverty to become one of the best known and respected American writers of our age.

Prior to reaching her ultimate goal, she worked as a prostitute, pimp, waitress, cook, dancer, singer, actor to make enough money to feed her son and herself. As a civil rights activist, she marched to improve living conditions for all people.

Her writing chronicles her journey through life, the highs, and lows, demonstrating that she lived by the belief that all humans have the power to become who they wish and accomplish their dreams.

The takeaway message is simple, anything is possible if you never give up.

Endure the hell to create your heaven on earth.

Competence

“The first one done is not the winner. It’s whoever does their personal best.” — Author unknown

Living in an era where all members of a team receive a trophy, (Notice, I did not say, earn a trophy.) individuals develop the belief that a salary is earned by showing up to work. The focus shifts from quality to quantity creating a society that pats itself on the back for getting out of bed.

If you desire the shiny new car, promotion, and vacation time, be impressive. Complete the task so well that someone, everyone, will notice.

Somehow, shame became associated with being exceptional when in fact, the extraordinary person reaps the rewards. As a teacher in public education, I have witnessed teens hide their talents. Boys desiring to be seen as athletic or cool strive harder to fit in than to excel in academics. Girls who fear intelligence will intimidate males, hide who might show romantic interests, conceal their strengths behind makeup, giggles, and the latest styles.

The best product, the strongest effort, the brightest minds deserve accolades, not the first one to finish.

Shine your light to highlight your competence.

Fairness

Fair isn’t everyone getting the same thing. Fair is everyone getting what they need in order to be successful. — Rick Riordan

Repeat after me, “All people should be treated equally, but life is not fair.”

This is the truth. Someone led us to believe fair mean equal. However, because humans have different needs, desires, aspirations — different lives — we are not all the same; however, all people deserve equal opportunities. The synonym of the fair is reasonable. Life may not be fair, but it can be reasonable.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade; that’s reasonable. We’ve all heard this saying, now digest it. The message hidden in the cliché reminds us to take control.

“When life gives you lemons, take out the salt and the shot-glasses and fill them up with tequila.” — Teodora Kostova

“When life gives you lemons, you don’t make lemonade. You use the seeds.” — Unknown

Life is made fair when you demand, no expect, the chance to maximize your potential.

Fairness comes from within not from others bestowing it.

Dedication

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.” — Michael Jordan

Sports enthusiasts know Michael Jordan did not make the varsity high school basketball team during his sophomore year. With a dedicated heart, he practiced until he not only made the team the following year but earned a college scholarship, played 15 seasons with the NBA, and won six championships with the Chicago Bulls.

Due to his commitment to hard work and willingness to not give up, Jordan is acclaimed as the greatest basketball player of all time.

Mistakes are proof that you are trying. — Unknown

True mistakes happen when you stop attempting to achieve. Life will knock you down; get up and accept the challenges by working harder with a can do attitude.

Dedication requires both a physical determination and a resolute mind.

Imagine your ideal life

For some, it might be fast cars and vacations on private islands. Others find fulfillment sitting beside a river fishing and enjoying the blessing of nature.

On January 20, 1993, a woman who escaped poverty, abuse, and neglect read a poem she wrote at the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony. This excerpt from “On the Pulse of Morning” speaks to the possibilities.

Women, children, men,

Take it into the palms of your hands.

Mold it into the shape of your most Private need.

Sculpt it into

The image of your most public self.

Lift up your hearts.

Each new hour holds new chances

For new beginnings.

Do not be wedded forever

To fear, yoked eternally

To brutishness.

Maya Angelou envisioned all people being empowered to realize dreams as opportunities. Her words encourage us to not simply dream but to mold and sculpt your own reality.

However you define personal success, build it with endurance, competence, fairness and dedication.