Build Something That Lasts

Success, whether we’re talking about the narrow and outdated version of strictly material wealth, or the new, broader, more holistic meaning of making a difference and influence, must be built over time.  Personally, I want to build things that last.  Relationships with family are very important to me and my experience tells me they must be built and they don’t just happen.  Solid careers, reputations, and businesses must be built over time, as well as strong societies and government. There is no such thing as “instant” success.

There are many gurus, who will tell you that they have the “secret to success”.  I’m sorry to break the news to you but that just doesn’t exist.  Success comes through hard work applied to the correct actions, executed over time.  Oh, and the time is not minutes or even days.

A popular movie and book that probably almost all of you have heard about is The Secret.  The Secret has some good concepts that can be extracted.  The need to have a vision of what you want is vital to creating anything of lasting value.  The concept of thought and its power is also based in truth.  What this concept in whole ignores…is the concept of work and effort over time.

Natural laws existed long before gurus ever discovered them.  Farmers, for example, have been following natural laws for centuries.  You can’t plant lettuce in the morning and expect to have a green salad in the afternoon.  It takes hard work (attention and effort), correct actions (water and nutrients), and time.  Try and violate these and you’ll fail.

When we’re all excited about an idea and we’ve had an incredible insight or experience, many times spiritual, that gives us a view of what could be or a direction we know we should go; we, many times, expect immediate results.  Those are incredible moments and are to be written and cherished.  But the limelight and excitement will often fade over time (there are ways to keep the excitement going – see The Crossroads of Passion and Purpose) leaving the necessary hard work ahead of you.

Here is what I’ve learned through my experience.  Work with God and align with his personal plan for you.  Pick your projects carefully.  Consult with and discuss ideas with like minded people who can help you from their experience.  Having this sounding board or council can save you years of effort and financial problems.

I’ll leave you will my favorite quote by William George Jordan, who I quoted last week in my post Be the Link that Strengthens the Chain.

“Everything that is great in life is the product of slow growth; the newer, and greater, and higher, and nobler the work, the slower is its growth, the surer is its lasting success.  Mushrooms attain their full power in a night; oaks require decades.  A fad lives its life in a few weeks; a philosophy lives through generations and centuries.  If you are sure you are right, do not let the voice of the world, or of friends, or of family swerve you for a moment from your purpose.”

Social Leadership is all about building families, relationship, businesses, careers, and societies that are Built to Last. Oh, and let’s all remember to enjoy the journey!

Photo Credit by bcballard and  Mandj98

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Carl Woolston is a business and marketing consultant with KGaps Consulting, a co-creator of the proprietary marketing methodology “Hub Mentality,”, and a co-founder of The Center for Social Leadership.

His expertise includes network development, marketing, web strategy development, lead creation, and lead capture strategies.

He and his wife Christy are raising their six rambunctious children in Bountiful, Utah.

Connect With Carl:

Email: carl [at] kgaps [dot] com