Success is undoubtedly one of the most discussed topics in the world. The reason is simple, everyone wants to succeed. However despite the heavy discuss on the topic, a minute percentage of the world population can be said to be successful. I believe this is largely because we have not been able to reach a consensus as regards the definition of success. It is nearly impossible to work towards what you don’t know. As a result of ongoing discussions on this topic, I have been able to identify two existing schools of thought on what success is. The first school of thought believes success is an achievement. This means that you are successful only when you have accomplished certain tasks like built a house etc. This school of thought also implies that the more you achieve the more successful you are. The second school of thought views success as an attainment. This means that you are successful only when you have become certain things e.g. a husband, C.E.O, governor, minister etc. This school implies that the higher your position, the more successful you are.
These schools of thought are not wrong in themselves. It is a good thing to achieve more and reach greater heights as regards position. But if you factor in man’s endless desire for success, these schools of thought produce individuals in a mad rush for achievement and attainment. This rush most times becomes so intense that it robs the individual of the ability to enjoy his/her achievements & attainment. They also produce a certain pressure on individuals which drives them to unwholesome lengths to achieve feats or attain positions / levels viewed as success.
The desire to discover an understanding of success that leads to a life that is balanced and successful all round led me to startling discovery. “SUCCESS is PRIMARILY A MANIFESTATION”. This means that success is a state of mind you are operating from rather than a level you are working towards. The bible supports this assertion through the record of creation. In Gen 1:26, God said”Let us make man in our own image and let him have dominion over other creatures”. Verse 27, Goes on to tell us that God made man with the innate ability to exercise dominion. Note that when you can exercise dominion success is assured. Gen 1:31 says something very profound. God saw everything he has made (Man inclusive) and it was good. This means he succeeded in making everything to the intent of his heart and everything according to the purpose for which they were made. Remember that purpose for men is to have dominion which guarantees his success.
Little wonder mega successes agree that they would not have been able to build their empires without first building than in their minds and spirits. A popular American billionaire was quoted to have said “take me to the desert and leave me with my books. In five years, I would have rebuilt my company in the desert”. This statement shows that success really flows inside out. If you have not developed a certain measure of the success in your spirit, it is almost impossible to experience and maintain that level in the physical realm. That is why many people who win huge amounts at casinos and lotteries become bankrupt almost immediately they receive those winnings.
The power of this manifestation is that it sets you free to succeed. This it does by delivering you from some of the things that prevent you from focusing your inner energies to produce success. Allow me to state a few;
• Those who view success as an achievement or an attainment are in a mindless competition with other people. They are only happy when they believe they are winning the competition. Paul describes such people as unwise. I agree with him because such people can’t focus on their goals and ultimately don’t achieve them. There is actually no basis for competition because we all are created winners.
• Those who view success as an achievement or an attainment live a life of perpetual pressure. They do not know that they have an inexhaustible pool of success deposited in them. Therefore they waste precious energy trying to achieve more or attain more in other to be “more “Successful. Eventually they lose out on true success.
• Those who view success as either an achievement or an attainment cannot enjoy the pleasure God ordained for man to enjoy in this world. They sacrifice other important things on the altar of success and end up miserable in their later years.
On the other hand when success is a manifestation your achievement and attainment in life is limitless. This is because we can’t fully exhaust the success we were created with. It is also a jolly ride when compared to the other camp. This is because you are not alone in the journey to manifesting your success. You have the backing of God because what you are doing would be to fulfill his purpose and show forth his glory.
In conclusion, my prayer for you is that you would not die without manifesting a considerable level of the success God created you with. In the words of REV SAM ADEYEMI, SUCCESS IS WHO YOU ARE.
