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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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Success Advice

Inside the TikTok Resume Hack That’s Fooling Recruiters (For Now)

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Life

9 Harsh Truths Every Young Man Must Face to Succeed in the Modern World

Before chasing success, every young man needs to face these 9 brutal realities shaping masculinity in the modern world.

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Image Credit: Midjourney

Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.

Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”

But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.

Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.

1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse

As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.

Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.

Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:

  • Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.

  • Read quality literature in your free time.

  • Nurture a strong relationship with your family.

  • Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.

  • Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.

The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.

2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay

You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.

If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.

3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome

Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.

You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.

The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.

4. Rejection Is Never Personal

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.

Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.

5. Women Value Comfort and Security

Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.

Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.

Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.

6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons

A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.

Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.

Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.

7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form

Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.

If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise

Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.

Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.

Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.

9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams

One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.

That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.

Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.

Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.

Final Thoughts

The digital age offers endless opportunities, but only to those who are willing to take responsibility, confront discomfort, and keep improving.

Becoming a man today means embracing the hard truths most avoid.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck. It’s about who you become when life tests you the most.

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Change Your Mindset

The Four Types of Happiness: Which One Are You Living In?

Most people chase success only to find emptiness, this model reveals why true happiness lies somewhere else.

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