Success is a Process

I never achieved my highest or optimal level of performance as an athlete. Don’t get me wrong. I

was a two sport varsity athlete in high school and college. I achieved success and recognition as

an athlete. I always become one of the best statistical performers. Despite the awards and

recognition, I never reached my full potential. The sad reality is I didn’t even realize this while I

was an athlete. I was a victim of the missing piece. I was good enough; good enough to make the

team, good enough to travel, good enough to earn playing time, good enough to letter, good

enough to start, good enough statistically to compare myself to teammates and opponents, good

enough to make my parents proud, and good enough to receive recognition from others around

campus. That’s the problem, I settled for good enough because I didn’t understand there was a

piece missing. I thought I was doing well. I thought I was successful. By some measures, I was.

But, in reality, I was capable of better. Which begs the question, how do you measure success?

In his very successful book “Success is Never Ending, Failure is Never Final,” Robert H.

Schuller points out that success is a never ending process. As an athlete, that makes sense to me.

You work constantly to get better. What is good enough today very well may not be good

enough tomorrow. Solving the puzzle and discovering the missing piece requires a true

understanding of this. So, let me say it again, success is a process. The process includes five very

important steps. These same steps work in business, athletics, and every other aspect of life in

which you desire optimal performance or success.

Step #1: You must develop a clear picture or vision of what success will look like

when you achieve it.

Step #2: You must fully evaluate where you are now compared to the vision you

identified in Step #1.

Step #3: You must develop a plan or road map to get from where you are now to

where you want to be.

Step #4: You must have the courage to take action.

Step #5: You must have someone to hold you accountable to the process and help

you make course corrections along the way.