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Success Advice

The Most Important Thing That Determines Your Success in Any Endeavour

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For the majority of my schooling years, I was a problematic student. I wouldn’t pay attention in class. I never turned in any of the assignments that I was supposed to. I failed multiple classes and amassed a good number of Ds and Fs. Unmotivated, living from day to day and just hoping to get by. Wandering along without any purpose.

You would recognise me. Perhaps you were just like me. Hopefully you aren’t in the situation that I was in. That changed when I finally made up my mind to do well in school. I found good reasons to excel academically. I desired success.

Desire

In his landmark book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill wrote that “desire is the starting point of all achievement”.

Desire is what motivates you to change the status quo, even if the present is comfortable. The strength of your desire is what motivates you to press on in the face of obstacles. It is what enables one to overcome overwhelming odds.

“Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.” – Plato

In 207 BC, the great Chinese warlord Xiang Yu led 20,000 troops across a river to attack his foes. After crossing the river, he ordered his men to burn all his ships and destroy all but three days worth of rations. He then made it clear to his men that there was no way of retreat – that they had to defeat the enemy in three days or perish.

As you might have guessed, the Chu army led by Xiang Yu triumphed over the 300,000 strong Qin enemy. The warlord had managed to tap into the human’s biologically wired fight or flight response, with only the former being an option. Each Chu soldier was taken over by their natural instinct of self preservation – the deep hidden desire within them. Against their opponents who were mostly just following orders and going with the flow, their force of will prevailed easily.

When you make something a burning obsession, you will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. You will invest all your time, energy and willpower into attaining what you desire. You will constantly be taking action in the pursuit of that single desire, removing the inertia that accompanies the start of all change. You intentionally set yourself up for success by design.

What’s Your Why?

The number one reason why most people are stuck and unable to make progress is because they don’t want something badly enough. They ‘kind of’ want it, but they aren’t willing to pay the price. They would rather be making merry and staying in their comfort zone – it’s just not worth it to them.   

What’s your why? Knowing the reason behind your desire is the key to understanding how far you will go. You may have heard about individuals achieving greater success after going through an experience that deeply affected them. These individuals walked away from their trials and tribulations understanding what they truly desired. They knew their purpose.

When the going gets tough, the only thing that keeps you going is your desire. Without a sufficiently strong desire to carry on, you will find yourself quitting the moment you encounter resistance. Conversely, you will be able to overcome any obstacle if your desire is strong enough.

“The reason why you don’t give 120% every time, cause you ain’t got a why for what you do! – Eric Thomas

Is It Enough?

I can hear you asking – is desire alone enough to succeed? The answer is no. However, desire is the glue that holds all other factors together. If you want something badly enough, you will develop the discipline to devote yourself to deliberate practice every single day.

You will give up the bad habits that are holding you back, and cultivate good ones that accelerate your progress. You will have the will to prepare, and not just the will to win. Without desire, all else is inconsequential.

It is on you to ensure that you sufficiently desire something enough. You will never succeed if you cannot find something that you can give up everything for. Find that desire, and the world is yours.

Do you find desire to be the most important element to success? Leave your thoughts below!

Image courtesy of Twenty20.com

Louis helps people lead productive and purposeful lives at Constant Renewal. He shares stories and ideas on learning, self-improvement, and personal growth. You can connect deeper with him and get his latest articles through his newsletter.

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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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