day 383: Secret of Success

I am often asked to speak on the broad topic of how to become "successful" in whatever endeavor that is chosen. At the end of the day, most of the leadership books, lectures given and classes taken are all about how to be more successful. A strong orientation towards success is what it takes to make it through a career and without this in one's DNA it is difficult to rise above the challenges and competition that faces us in the workplace. On the other end of the spectrum though are those who are so obsessed with success that they miss many opportunities along the way to have a more fulfilled life outside of work. Work, and success at work, becomes the focus and the overarching goal of life and then things end up out of whack when that success is not achieved. So, it is a game of balance that we play and we spend our careers trying to strike that balance to get the most out of work and out of life. Along the way we try and find that "secret of success" much like the Spanish explorers looked for the Fountain of Youth. I marvel sometimes at the books that are written about the secrets of success. If it really is such a secret then why are mass-market appeal books written about the topic. There really are no secrets, there are only suggestions and examples to follow to find one's own formula to success. We are fortunate to have our own book that is chocked full of examples and suggestions. That book being the Bible. In 2 Chronicles 31 we learn of King Hezekiah and how he managed his kingdom and how he became successful. We read in verse 21: "In all that he did in the service of the Temple and God and in his efforts to follow the law and the commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful." There are no secrets in life to success but there are sometimes clear directions that we just have to follow. If you have been searching for your own secret to your success, then you can stop looking and try to follow King Hezekiah's example and just put God first and with all you do and seek Him wholeheartedly. Once you have followed that example, then you may find that your search for the secret of success can end.

Reference: 2 Chronicles 2:21 (New Living Testament)