THE PHYSIOTHERAPIST'S LESSON

 

“Gradually! Slowly! A step at a time! Yeah, you are doing well! Continue! Focus! Slowly! Good...”  A female physiotherapist said while I watch the therapy session with a middle aged man who is learning how to walk after sustaining a leg injury after an accident. While I was watching, I began to relate the process to success. The journey to success is like the training the man was undergoing. I could summarise the process into 4 steps.

1) Internal motivation: This is the desire that comes from the heart. The man had a strong desire to walk again. To be successful in one's business, relationship, career etc, there has to be a strong will. Your mind must be made up for it. The desire moved the man into action. 

2) External motivation: The physiotherapist told him “you can! Believe it! Keep moving!”. She motivated him. I want you to know that the voices of people can either make you or ruin you depending on how you handle it. Truly, external motivation helps but mind you “external motivation without the internal motivation will not last”. It's just for a while. If the external motivation doesn't meet with a strong internal will, then it's just like puffing smoke into the air. Visible at the beginning, then vanishes. People will either praise you or criticize you. Both can be very dangerous if you don't handle it well. The praises of people can destroy you when you let it get into your head to the extent that pride sets in. Be careful! Watch out! The criticism of people can also ruin you when you let it get into your head. Not everyone will support you. Have that in mind. Don't let the voices of people to stop you from doing what you love. Criticism and praises are very harmful if you don't handle it well. Don't let both get into your head. If they praise you, appreciate them but double your efforts. Step up higher higher higher! You can read more on criticism in my blog page. To be successful, you must be careful of those two things; praises and criticism. And remember, external motivation without the internal motivation (inner will and desire) is just for a while. It will fade off!

3) Take it slowly: “slowly! Gradually!” she told the man. In the journey of life, learn how to be at peace with yourself. Don't rush! To succeed in a particular thing is not a hasty thing. It is a gradual process. Don't expect success overnight. A step at a time. Every phases of your journey is a phase of learning. Take it slowly. Don't compare yourself with others. The fact that your friend is already doing well in life doesn't make you a failure. Every destiny has it own times and seasons. Don't run faster than your destiny. Calm down! Understand timing! Your waiting period is the season of learning and improvements. Keep learning! Walk at your own pace. Gradually! Be at peace with your self and keep moving forward. 

4) Focus: Despite how hard it is for the man, he kept walking. On the road to success, you have to focus. See, people will laugh at you! They might even call your ideas foolish! You know what, keep moving forward. Focus! Fix your gaze on where you are going to. Have you ever noticed that when you fix your gaze on something, it will appear nearer. yes! That's it. The more you focus, the more you keep working towards it. Be focused! Not on the pains, not on the sleepless night, not on the negative words but on the goal! Focus! 

There are other 3 factors that will qualify all the steps I listed previously for an outstanding success. These factors are; character, relationship and the God factor which is the most important. 

- Character is a very important factor that helps one to achieve one's goal. If your character is bad, it can ruin all your hard work. Character can elevate you more than your skills, standards and possessions. Also, character can ruin you in a minute. Be decent in all your doings. In the way you talk, dress, think even look, be decent. Have good values. Be smart and think quickly. One of the secret of successful business men is that they expand their thinking zone. They don't settle for general thoughts. They find different ways of doing things other than the general way. Learn how to be a great thinker. Meditate often. Learn how to prove your points from your own standpoints. That's what defined your uniqueness. Be polite to people. Respect people. Even those that their qualifications are lower to yours ,still respect them. Respect is reciprocal. You don't need to beg for it. You earn it through your character towards people

- The people you relate with shows how much you value your goals. The people you know today will be your connections tomorrow. I've seen alot of people who have the skills required for a particular work but because they lack connections, they couldn't get it. If you want to be successful in a particular area of your life, meet people. Your circle should be filled with like minds. Relate with people that has gone ahead of you so that you can learn how they got to the position they are. No one is an island of knowledge. Knowledge can be impacted by the right people. Relate with every one whether they are of  a higher rank or lower rank. Rub minds together. Put down your egos! Be humble and learn. Don't let jealousy make you to hate the person you should be learning from. Put down your egos! Have a good relationship with people. Relationship is one of the currency to purchase success. Be wise!

- The God factor is the most important thing. It crowns everything. Heaven helps those who helps themselves. Do your part with the highest form of sincerity and diligence. Leave the rest to God. Carry God along in everything. That's why intimacy with God is the most important thing. He will guide you and connect you with the right people provided that you've done your part. 

Remember, success isn't a day thing. It is a process. Keep moving forward!