Private Effort Means Success In Public

If we eat too much at home, the public eventually will notice that our stomach sticks out like a balloon wrapped in clothes. If we drink too much in private our nose gradually turns red and becomes a warning beacon for others.

On the other hand, if we make an effort and eat and drink less in private, the public will sooner or later notice how slim and healthy we look.

Even Superman and Spiderman and the Scarlet Pimpernel cannot keep their heroic deeds entirely secret. After a while, their lover or wife and a few friends discover who they are. They sooner or later end up with a small but devoted group of fans.

Michael Angier writes in one of his perceptive articles:

"Public victories are always preceded by private diligence. By doing the things that build character we build and strengthen our self-esteem, our confidence and success."

If we practice hard in private for a martial art grading we shine in public when the day of the grading arrives. If we don't practice we fail in public or at best muddle through. We all need to do our homework.

Doing our homework usually involves keeping our promises to ourselves such as practicing ten kicks or whatever a day. If we don't keep these promises to ourselves we will lose a little self-confidence each time we fail and gradually hand over control of our lives to the lazy, comfort loving side of our natures.

The great achiever inside all of us will no longer rule. The couch potato will become king or queen.

It is much easier to keep our promises to other people since if we fail to do so, the public will soon hear about it and we will be embarrassed or even sued almost immediately.

It is more difficult to keep our promises to ourselves because the embarrassment of failure to do so takes much longer to arrive.

On the other hand if we do keep our promises to ourselves, the results can show up almost immediately. We look and feel much more cheerful and confident for a start.

What we do in secret, good or bad, shows up in some form or another eventually.

This truth is obvious but it is often forgotten. It can provide a powerful source of motivation in our search for success.

About the author

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams.

They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! - Acronyms, Stories, And Pictures...Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles"

The book can be found at this URL: http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

The book uses acronyms, stories and pictures to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine or on your website so long as you do not alter it and keep in the words about the author and the 36 Laws.

---

Reach Your Goals - Make A Game Out Of It

Make a game out of reaching your goals Go to... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Temp Your Way To The Top

Temp your way to the top Want to take the... Read More

Gracefully Accepting Feedback a Key Employment Skill

With the long-term trend of protecting employees' individual self esteem... Read More

?Defining and Feeling Successful? (However you define success)

Formula For SuccessThe winners in this life know the rules... Read More

More Effective Communication - Weight Loss For Your Mouth

Language constitutes our belief system. What we believe is true... Read More

4 Scientific Strategies to Become Brilliant At Anything

In this brief article we will explore four methods that... Read More

Three Proven Ways To Leverage the Big Power of Small Changes

Successful people set ambitious goals. But the high standards and... Read More

Create A Realistic Plan For Your Success

Success is the most desired ambition of the human beings.... Read More

Moving Beyond Self-Sabotage

Self-sabotage is one key factor that keeps our business from... Read More

The Art of Adapting to Change

One of the main reasons that may hinder us from... Read More

If You?re Not Where You Want To Be In Life, It?s Your Own Fault

Have you ever wondered why you're not where you want... Read More

The Secret to Intense Focus By

One of the common elements you see in almost all... Read More

The Amazing Success Secret Anyone Can Start Using Today

However there is one success secret that costs nothing. And... Read More

How Do You Define Your Success?

How does an online marketer define success ? There are... Read More

The 2-Word Phrase That Conquers Adversity and Breaks Through Obstacles

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my... Read More

How to Talk Yourself Into Success

You've tried and failed. You've watched others fall. You're wiped... Read More

7.9 Things I Learned About Success From Darth Vader

Unless you have been living in a cave, you have... Read More

Learning How To Fall: You Have To Learn To Fall Before You Can Ride With Confidence!

About a month ago, I was hit by a car... Read More

Healthy Wealthy Wise: Boost Your Productivity

We all strive for a 'balanced life'. Although we may... Read More

The 8th Habit Covey Forgot - The Making of an Expert!

I could labor the idea but then that would only... Read More

12 Tips to Network Your Way to Success

Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of... Read More

Top 10 Miraculous Benefits of Keeping a Personal Journal

In earlier generations it was common to keep a diary... Read More

Top Ten Strategies For Becoming Uncommonly Successful

Here are 10 of 26 proven strategies gleaned from interviews... Read More

The One-Two Punch for Success: Authenticity and Alignment

Have you ever felt as if you are beating your... Read More

Keep Track of Your Results

Three key words to remember: weigh, count and measure. Now,... Read More

You Are What You Believe

The most important quality you can ever develop is having... Read More

Self Esteem

Self-esteem is very important. It is the way we view... Read More

Identify Your Unique Factor and Succeed

What makes you unique? Answering this question will provide the... Read More

In Success Language, Failure Means You Are Almost There!

We all know as we are progressing towards our personal... Read More

Creating Success - Understand The Tao of Success

One of the most important aspects of creating success involves... Read More

Set Yourself Up For Success

I receive several emails every week asking me about how... Read More

Run Towards Fear: A Prescription For Success

Fear, or negative anxiety, is the modern day bubonic plague,... Read More

How To Stop Having Problems

If you are like me you have probably lost a... Read More