Small Business Today Magazine JUL 2014 PHENOMENAL PRODUCTS | Page 34

EDITORIALFEATURE

The What, the Why,

and the How of Success
By Mike Muhney

I

f you are like most people, you want to be more successful
in your career, your recognition from others, or even your social network.  Perhaps you are applying yourself in a way that
you believe your journey of improvement is taking you toward
your definition of success. 

Becoming what you want requires evaluating the steps you
need to take to realize your goals.  It requires stepping outside
your comfort zone.  It also requires you to make investments in
yourself. And, it requires a determined commitment on your part
for which no amount of self-help books on success, inspirational
speeches, or encouragement from others will compensate.  In its
purest form, commitment doesn’t require any of those things.

In order to get where you’re going, it helps to acknowledge
what might deter you. I suggest taking a look at yourself from
some other angles, you know, those “blind spots” that we all have
trouble seeing.  Don’t be fooled into believing that everything is
fine or “under control”.  As the saying goes, even if you’re on the
right track, you’ll still get run over if you stand still.  Instead, let’s
consider these three essential components that may help to shine
a spotlight on those blind spots:  ability, motivation, and attitude.

 The What:  Ability

Ability is the possession of a natural aptitude, whether physical
or mental, in your power to perform.  But possession does not
automatically translate to the application of it.  If you subscribe
to the saying that there is greatness in all of us, the core of that
greatness starts with the raw material that you must discover and
from which that greatness will derive.

We often hear the phrase “find your passion”.  Discovering
your passion is the genesis, but it is only a starting point on your
journey.  Assuming that you have a clear grasp on what your passion is; it then has to ultimately be married to an innate ability that,
with further practice, training, and commitment will manifest the
potential within you.

The Why:  Motivation

Motivation is a force or condition of eagerness that causes you to
act.  Recognizing and acknowledging your ability is the key.  Turning that key in the ignition of your mind requires motivation.  It
has been said that there is no greater personal loss than having
ability and doing nothing with it.  With regards to the potential
32 SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE [ JULY 2014 ]

for personal achievement and fulfillment of your purpose here
on earth, I agree.

Herein lays a secret that is so often overlooked.  I believe this
could be what causes your motivation to live or die.  The secret
is the difference between having a self-serving motivation versus
a motivation that seeks to serve others. Paraphrasing what Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get; we make
a life by what we give.”  In my experience, for motivation to truly
thrive, it must be directed toward the purpose of giving rather
than getting.

The How:  Attitude

Attitude is the Holy Grail, the ongoing culmination of your ability
and motivation.  It represents the feelings or frame of mind that
determines your behavior.  After all, no one can see your ability
or