The Four Pillars and The Foundation

The four pillars of success:

1)      Deliver: the important thing in life isn't working hard for the sake of working hard, but delivering. Sometimes you might need to work hard, at times you might need to work smart, and sometimes you might need to leverage your relationships and get help from those who can help you deliver. However don’t make the mistake of focusing on working hard, focus on delivering!

2)      Charity (Proverbs 19:17, Galatians 6:7): Give at every opportunity; be it your money, time or whatever else; just always have a charitable disposition. A key aspect of charity has been misunderstood and misclassified by many under the banner of “networking”. It is important to build relationships yes, however the best way to approach relationships isn't seeking out people with the intention of getting something from them. Rather focus on being charitable to everyone you come across be it through giving your time to listen to what they have to say, or through giving an uplifting word or compliment. Many a time you will come across people who would seem to have everything that you aspire to have, and you would feel that you cannot possibly give them anything. Wrong! In fact those with the most are also in great need; great need of our compliments, encouraging words and a little “thank you” for their efforts and how they have set a good example for many. Good and enduring relationships always begin and last through charity!

3)      Learn: Kaizen Kaizen! I cannot stress that enough! Kaizen Kaizen!! This is a Japanese term that speaks of the importance of having a mindset that is always seeking for opportunities to learn. Read a book, make it an everyday point to learn something new on your vocation, do a lot of listening and less talking. Kaizen Kaizen!

4)      Seize the opportunity! Some call this risk taking but in my view that term carries negative connotations that I am averse to. I look at it more as a matter of always seeking out opportunities and when they present themselves, jumping at and utilizing them to the fullest as they might never present themselves again. Procrastination and fear are the greatest enemies of success and achievement (Proverbs 22:13, Ecclesiastes 11:4). Don’t be caught out!

Those are the four pillars of success. However as with all pillars a foundation is of great importance and has to be at their base (Matthew 7:25). And there is no greater foundation than one that is rooted in Christ and His Word. Be full of the Word, be full of love, be full of Christ and be full of prayer! But don’t forget that a foundation on its own is just that, a foundation. Upon that foundation see to it that you vigilantly and consistently apply yourself daily, and using the four pillars to go with that effort, you will surely succeed!!