“Early Success versus Late Success” - Professor M.S.Rao

“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” - Norman Vincent Peale

Some people are blessed with early success while some are blessed with late success.  Both have problems and prospects for people.  It sounds strange right!  Yes it is!  When people achieve success early they will not be able to know about failures, and understand the value of life.  They take everything for granted, and often fail to empathize with others.  They see only one side of the coin.  In contrast, when people encounter failures initially, they come to know why they failed as they analyze themselves and find out the reasons for it.  They acquire more inputs, ideas, insights, skills, abilities, and knowledge to grow stronger.  They also grow stronger in their lives as they are continuously challenged due to frequent failures thus uncorking their hidden potential.  Booker T. Washington rightly said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

When you look at former President of America, Abraham Lincoln he failed number times in his early life. At 21, he failed in business; at 24, he failed in politics; at 26, he again failed in business; subsequently failed in love; and encountered a number of failures.  Finally, he became the first Republican President of America.  Whenever he failed in his life whether in business or politics, he never took his failures personally.  He took stock of the situation, examined where he failed, learned lessons, and grew.   His continuous feedback and constant improvement made him touch the tipping point in his life.  In addition, he was assassinated before completion of his full presidential term and faced toughest challenges during his presidential tenure. He fought for the abolition of slavery, and averted break up of America.  He is remembered even today for his exemplary leadership qualities globally.  Whenever American Presidents face challenges they look back, and take inspiration and inputs from Lincoln’s leadership.  It shows the Lincoln’s exemplary leadership capabilities.  Therefore, how long one lives and rules is not important but how well one lives and rules is more important.

Hence, both early and late success has its own problems and prospects.  Whatever the timing of the success may be, you must learn lessons and move forward with confidence without ego to help yourself, and serve others with humility.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” - Helen Keller

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr12@gmail.com

Blog: http://professormsrao.blogspot.com

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