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Success Advice

Dear People Who Always Fall Short Of Success

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Hi, it’s Tim again. Long time no speak. So I heard that you fell short again and missed out on your goal. Sucks doesn’t it? Now that you’ve had a chance to chill to the rhythm of my words, dry your eyes and wipe your ass, it’s time to analyze why.

The difference between success and not getting your goal is less than 1%. So let’s deep dive in on all the elements you need to hit that goal and slam-dunk your way to success.

I want to illustrate my point today with an example I saw yesterday. I was watching this reality talent show online. This girl blew my mind. She was from the Philippians and has almost nothing. Our BS first world problems are nothing compared to what she faces every day.

Yet she was still one of the most incredible human beings I’ve encountered. She was positive and happier than most of us living the so-called “good life.”

Here’s why she didn’t fall short of her goal:

There was no second chance.

She’d convinced herself that coming back and trying again was not an option. The urgency written all over her face was nearly enough to make me poo my pants. By the end of her performance, you couldn’t help but have a tear or two in your eye.

During one of the rounds, she didn’t make it through, and she refused to get off the stage. Even without a microphone, she kept singing. She cried her eyes out and freaking begged her way into the next round. That’s what losing your sense of entitlement does.

If you’re falling short of your goal, then you have to make it a life or death situation.

Become the people’s champion.

There was this aura about her that made you feel really good and it was difficult to know why at first. She spoke with such grace and humility. All you could see was that she wanted to be a good human being. There was no cheating anyone out of anything.

These traits made her the people’s champion. Even when the judges were against her, the people’s screams drowned out their doubt. People loved her because they wanted to be just like her. We all fall in love with someone who can show us what’s possible for the human race.

“We all have flaws, addictions and things that suck about ourselves. When we see someone that has the same, has worked on them, and will never give up, we unofficially crown them the people’s champion in our head”

Be a phenomenal example of a human being no matter what and you’ll become the people’s champion too.

Your life better damn well depend on it.

Ever been pitched by someone who’s not hungry? It’s more boring than watching two old guys run on level one of the treadmill at the local gym. The thing is that if this goal means so much to you, your life does depend on it. You need to convince yourself of this very idea.

This girl I saw online acted as if her family wouldn’t eat tonight if she didn’t get to sing her song.

“It was like her family was being held captive by a terrorist and she was screaming on national television for help”

When your life depends on something, people get around you. We all have this compassionate side that comes out of us when we see someone who’s decided that nothing will stand in their way. Without your life depending on your goal you get lazy, procrastinate, and then withdraw on food or booze.

Maybe if your life doesn’t depend on your goal, you need to reevaluate your goal. The reason you keep losing may be due to the very fact that your life doesn’t depend on this one pursuit. These words I write are crucial to me staying alive.

If I couldn’t type these words, I don’t know if I’d keep doing this whole “life” thing. I’ve put everything on the line to write these words. No one is going to stop me and I’m never going to stop. Inspiration comes through me, it comes through the girl I saw online and it can come through you as well.

Your life does depend on your goal. You better convince yourself of that and stop lying.

Do it for someone other than you.

Being motivated by someone other than you keeps your lazy ass accountable. We’re programmed by this modern world to be lazy, so we need another person or group to be accountable to. The easiest person to achieve your goal for is your family.

We all have one whether they’re biological or not and they can get you into action through the way you think. Think about your goal and then think about your family. If you get your goal, your family gets to come along for the ride with you.

The way you feed that beautiful family is through finding a way to create value. Life has taught me that the best way to create value is using a goal as the foundation. In simple terms, doing stuff you like is ten times easier than doing stuff you hate to death.

Creating value is your only option because that’s what allows you to pay the bills. So given we have no option but to create value and feed our families, let’s start getting intimate and raunchy with this idea and using it to drive us forward, rather than sitting on the couch watching TV.

Don’t ever take no for an answer. No means maybe.

I get told no multiple times a day. I’ve trained my brain to take the word no and change it into maybe. Our default answer is always going to be no, so it’s normal human behavior. Your job with your whole goal quest is to turn no’s into yes’s.

Showing that you’re not going to take no for an answer is how you get a maybe, and then eventually, a yes. Don’t be so easily defeated. Getting a no is hard on our fragile little brains and it’s part of the whole process of life.

As I said before, this girl I saw online didn’t give two hoots about the no she received. I don’t even think she heard the word no at all. It’s like she was deaf to any word that was not yes. We have to drown out the negativity of our mind and focus on what we want.

You can either become a slave to the word no or become no’s master. You’ll always fall short if you let two letters stop you in your tracks. You’re bigger, badder and more beautiful than that. No means maybe, buddy oh pal!

Give it more than 100%.

All this I’m tough as nails talk means jack if you don’t produce something that is out of this world. This little pocket rocket I saw online didn’t just have all the resilience passion and determination that we’ve spoken about: the end outcome she delivered (her performance) was better than anyone else.

You actually have to be good.

That brings me to my next point. The best mindset on the planet is not enough if you haven’t actually put the hard work in to create some talent in a particular field. If you just plain suck at your one pursuit then none of what I’ve said is going to work.

You can think you’re the best singer since Whitney Houston but if you’re tone deaf and can’t sing in tune, it’s never going to happen. Thankfully we’re not born with talent and we can learn anything that interests our distracted little brains.

Be a good human.

Maybe a tad too vague. A real human means that you are humble, compassionate and genuinely want to be positive and do the right thing. Being anything other than human will cause other humans to ignore you, thus giving you the result of falling short yet again.

Again, all these traits can be cultivated and then you can harvest them when you need them. The online pocket rocket I witnessed yesterday had all of these traits and more. She was the definition of a good human being. She wanted everyone to be successful.

The show wasn’t all about her. She brought others on the journey with her.

Start being more human
Don’t make the show all about you.
Show us the real you.

Display your battle scars.

Finally, this girl I saw online showed us all of her battle scars. She showed us her family, the poverty she endured, her nationality and her flaws. She cried in front of everyone like a two-year-old child. Nothing was left on the table. There was no mask and nowhere to hide.

She knew why she was there and we all got to see her battle scars from years of trying. There’s something about those battle scars that are so damn sexy. Authenticity online and in real life brings us in. Things that are real feel more appealing.

If you’re falling short, I suspect that you are now revealing all of yourself. Step out from the darkness and into the light.

If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net

Aussie Blogger with 500M+ views — Writer for CNBC & Business Insider. Inspiring the world through Personal Development and Entrepreneurship You can connect with Tim through his website www.timdenning.com

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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.

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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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