Jun 9, 20186 min read

The 3 Keys To Success

Being successful is something so many thrive to attain. We live in a competitive world that’s fixated on being successful. You teach your kids to be successful in their studies. You’re expected to succeed in your career. You are to aim to have a successful marriage. The church is to succeed and produce a congregation that’s like no other church on the face of the earth. On an on the push to be successful goes. And there’s nothing wrong with desiring to be successful as long as it is for the right motives and accomplished with the right attitude.

And at no time should your children have to compete for your approval. They must be loved, appreciated and approved regardless if they succeed or not. So, when you began to go after your dreams, and you aspire to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for your life, here are three keys to success that I hope will enlighten your mind to what it truly means to be successful.

1.Thinking Outside the Box

We all have been trained to think in a certain way. We learned this from the home in which we were raised. Sometimes, such thinking becomes more like a routine. It’s becomes so normal that we do things without even thinking. And to a certain degree, this is acceptable. But what about when you desire something more out of life. What happens when your mind began to conceive what no one in your family ever did? How can you become who God created you to be? Well, you must think outside the box. You have to apply creative problem solving to release the greatness that resides inside of you. This means you have to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective. Often referred to as novel or creative thinking (1).

Take me for example, had I chosen to go the traditional or conventional road to have my book published, it wouldn’t have been published because it’s extremely expensive. So, I took the unconventional road and became a self-published author. I was not going to allow lack of finances to deter me. I had to think outside the box.God presented an opportunity when He reconnected me and my friend Lynn and the results has been astonishing. Now, I have published eight books and four, within a year.

So, Dear One, think outside the box. You’ve been told it has never been done before. Leave things as they are because we don’t need to change anything. And I know for some, old habits, customs, and traditions are difficult to change. But with God, nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). So, not only do you have to change your way of thinking, but be willing to view it from a different perspective. Try something you never did before. Though you’re fearful, rise above your fears, and take a leap of faith. God is there, and He will catch you before you fall. And if you fail, It’s OK. Therefore, you can use failure as stepping-stones to keep moving forward. And what’s ahead of you is far greater than what’s behind you.

2.Go Outside the Lines

As a former Substitute Teacher, I always heard the Teacher tell the students to stay inside the lines when they were coloring in their coloring books. This means that boundaries are inviolable, that one must not break the rules. (2) for adults, it means to adhere to the norms (3).

In a word, you are expected to follow the rules and not go outside these boundaries. However, such a rule stifles creativity. So, when I became an owner of my Family Day Care Home, I defied the rules. I did this not out of disrespect but to bring out the greatness inside of each student. Thus, I insisted on my students to draw outside the lines. I often gave them a blank sheet of paper and urged them to use their creativity and create what I preferred to as their Art Masterpiece. And they did exactly that. They created such abstract drawings. I was impressed. And I displayed their work for all to see. They were happy and full of joy, and so were their parents.

Thus, being successful requires going outside the lines. Go above what others expect and the norm. Be different. Do what others would dare not to do because it’s out of the ordinary. Take your skills, talents, and potential to another level by moving onto another path to achieve your goals. You see - staying in the lines can limit your potential because it only allows you to use a specific route or method. But sometimes, to see your dreams become a reality, you have to go outside the lines and try what you never tried before.

You may have to try something that’s more difficult to achieve what others have said is achievable. You’ll have to try it more than once, but be determined not to give up. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3). Give your work completely over to God by depending on Him and not on our own efforts, skills, and abilities. If your work aligns with the will of God, your plans will succeed. We commit to God and trust Him for the outcome. This requires your creativity, innovation, and map out a strategic plan that will leave others Awe-Struck.

3.Go Against the Grain

There comes a time when you want to take your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities to the next level. To do this, you recognize that the normal and usual way of doing it will not bring you the outcome you need. Therefore, to gain the greatest results you must go against the grain. This means: Different from what is normal or usual. (4)

Sometimes, when going to the next level, it can be difficult because it conflicts with your traditional beliefs, ideas, or principles. Now, I’m not referring to go against your core Godly values, morals, and ethics. But when you are accustomed to doing something in a particular way, it’s hard to break tradition. You may seem like you're being rebellious, contrary, and even downright stubborn. But to become who you should be, you have to be willing to go against the grain. You must not allow tradition to restrain you and lose out on an opportunity of a lifetime.

This means you may have to gain more experience by taking additional courses, taking a trade, or gaining more training. Perhaps, you have to locate to a different environment that propels you to a better future. You may have to stay away from those who bring undue stress in your life. This doesn’t mean you don’t love them. But to do what you thought you never could you must be mental, emotional, and spiritually healthy. Therefore, you have to be in a place where you can blossom and attain what God has chosen you to do. You won’t win the prize unless you put forth the effort and sacrifice. Maybe, you'll need to spend more time in practice than was expected. (Philippians 3:13-14). Therefore, go against the grain. Beloved, prove those wrong who said you can’t achieve your goals. You can’t allow the obstacles, opposition, fear, public opinion, doubt or circumstances to hold you back. You have to find an avenue to reach your potential and tap into the greatness that is already in you.

I know this is an unusual recipe for success. But, as I stated at the beginning of this devotional, success usually have to do with achieving a specific goal associated with a particular area of your life. But I have shown you that to be successful goes beyond the traditional and conventional way by showing you how to think outside the box, go outside the lines, and go against the grain. God, bless you bountifully on your journey as you apply these three keys to successfully achieve God’s magnificent plan and purpose for your life and release the greatness within.

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