4D's of Success

This is a quick version of a presentation I have used numerous times as a keynote presenter or in a training setting. I've also found it useful in a coaching session where I can summarise for the coachee the key points needed for success in any activity. Use this model, add to it or take away from it, and let me know how it goes.

One of the more interesting situations I have used this presentation was with a National Rugby team, as a pre-game talk prior to them competing in the National finals. It has plenty of uses - is what I'm trying to get at here. Use your imagination on how you can use this and see what you can come up with.

4D's of Success

Success has 4 distinctive parts. Each part is woven into the other, to mesh together an unbreakable weave that ensures your success. I have listed them here as the 4D's of success.

Decision:

You must make a decision, that you will be successful. Where are decisions made? - In your amazing brain of course! Many say they would like this and like that, but very few actually make a real decision to be successful and go for it. They do too much talking and not enough walking! All talk and no action. You however, must make a decision that you will succeed.

In our modern times we have no lack of choice. In fact we have more choice available to us than, at any other time in history. We are able to choose between many options, varieties and demonstrations, all abound, plentifully. So we do not have a choice problem. What we have is a decision problem.

You must decide to "cut-off" any other option that may distract you from succeeding. It requires you to decide that success is the only option for you and failure is not. Decide now, and you will find a completely different level of commitment, will be found within you.

Desire:

Once you have made a decision, then, just 30cm lower than your head, lays your heart. Often thought of as the place of our emotions. It is here where we must ignite the fires of desire to fuel the decision making process you have made. When you have made a decision it must be supported by an intense emotional desire to achieve. We make decisions in our head, but that is not enough. We must use our emotions to fire ourselves up, to follow through on our decisions.

As wrong as it is, to make important decisions based on emotion alone. So too, is it wrong to make a decision and not have it fuelled with an intense desire to follow through and achieve. Become comfortable with positive emotions that ignite your desire to succeed. Without desire, intense passion and emotional energy - you will soon grow cold and become disillusioned with achieving your goal. Desire compliments decision and drives you toward your goal.

Determination:

Desire is the thermostat for determination. The level of desire you have to succeed will always be equal to the level of determination you have. When you're desire is high, so too will your level of determination. When you're desire for what you want is low, so also will your level of determination. It is as easy as that! This places a high importance on your level of desire. Grow your desire and you will grow your determination to keep at it, to never give up, to succeed against insurmountable obstacles!

If for any reason you notice you are lacking in determination revisit the 2 previous D's. Reconsider and recommit to your decision. You must know why it is, that you have decided to do what you are doing. Revisit your desire, passion and drive to "feel" again the energy required to pursue your goal once again. I have never found determination is the problem when the going gets tough but rather, desire and decision making. By revisiting the 1st 2D's, you will re-ignite your determination once again.

Discipline:

Notice how this is the last of the 4D's. Many fail because they place too much emphasis on discipline and not on the other 3D's. When you have the other 3D's, discipline will take care of itself. Do not however overlook it. Discipline is needed throughout your journey to success. Your ability to say "NO!" to anything and everything that may sway you from staying on track and focused on your goal - is imperative. Woven together with your decision making, your desire to achieve and your determination. Discipline compliments each of them, and is sustained by each of them.

Learn to say NO! to all distractions. Do so by being mindful of why you are doing, what you're doing. This will keep you on track and focused.

Closing:

So there you have it. Short and sweet! No strings attached. You now have the foundations of personal success. Which of the 4D's must you focus on? Which one do you strugle with? Identify it and then work on it and remember it may actually be 1 of the previous D's that is needed to increase your likelyhood of success.

It's up to you now. Apply the 4D's.. and... as Nike has said, and you know so well... Just Do It!