I've been very fortunate throughout life to learn many lessons and have many experiences that have shown me the many aspects of life. Encounters with all types of people have taught me many of life's subtle lessons. Many of those lessons have served me in one or two instances. Many more have overcome and carried me throughout my life.
This is one of those lessons that was handed down to me by one of my former scout leaders and mentors: The 7 P's to Success. He gave me the 7 P's, and left me to figure them out as I walked through life. He told me that in time, you will be able to figure out their meaning. He left me to ponder upon these 7 words, which I have never forgotten them and try to apply them the best I can on a daily basis. Now, about 15 years after he handed them down to me, I dare to expand and elaborate upon them after much thought, pondering, prayer, reflection and my own toil and hard work.
Too often in life we find ourselves working and toiling, and more often than not, we seem to find ourselves in the same place we were at. We try out new ideas or adventures, pursue new hobbies and dreams, risk everything in search of a new career, family, happiness or God and yet we find ourselves always trying to overcome the same hurdles, obstacles or walls. We find ourselves asking, why wasn't I able to succeed and overcome that? Why did I succumb to selling myself short? Why wasn't I able to cross the finish line? Then as if that weren't enough, we begin to place the blame on everything outside of ourselves (e.g., God, family, work, friendships, jealousy, etc...) and say, "well the grass is greener on the other side". In reality, the grass is not always greener on the other side, it may just seem that way.
The 7 P's to Success
Simply stated The 7 P's to Success are: "Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance." A sentence that at face value is kind of comical, can be kind of a tongue twister, but has a wealth of meaning beyond measure. Taken as a whole, this aphorism to life gives an instruction, a guide, if you will, to life. A sort of rule book that helps us find our way through this journey we call life. Yet when looked at more in-depth and peel back the layers of The 7 P's to Success, we begin to see that there's more there than originally seen at face-value.
When we begin to realize that many of our own failings or short-comings are something that we originally had control over, then we become empowered to succeed. This is what The 7 P's to Success pass on and instruct us on. They teach us that we are in control of our situation, destiny, plans and often times, our own achievements and successes. The 7 P's to Success empower us to take and accept responsibility for our own lives and then make them a reality.
Break Down of the 7 P's to Success and Food for Thought
- Prior--Before anything, there's an idea a starting point, a dream. Don't be afraid to dream. Find passion in the dream. Find that something that brings and provides purpose. Be it a short-term goal, hobby, love, family, or life-time achievement find something that truly has meaning to you and is for you.
- Proper--We all have dreams and desires, but which are the ones that we can truly make a reality. They say, "there's no limit to one's imagination," and they're right, but this is the time to start deciding what's right for you. Its time to narrow down and say this is what I want and can make a reality at this point. Doing so, doesn't diminish the value of the other dreams, desires or aspirations, but begins to cement a goal and make it a tangible reality.
- Planning--Plan to succeed, not to fail. Developing a plan requires time, attention, knowledge. Know what you want to achieve. See what's required to accomplish your goal. Develop as detailed a plan that allows you see the achievement of the goal. The book, The Secret, alludes to this as creating a vision board. In the same token, visualize the goal and the achievement thereof. Own it, its yours!
- Prevents--Manage your time accordingly and make allotments for the unexpected. Identify the obstacles that may be foreseen, but make room for the unforeseen. Take preventative steps and measures to protect your goals, dreams, desires and aspirations. If its for you, then make it yours.
- Piss--Don't be you're own stumbling block. You have the power to make or destroy everything you dream of or plan to achieve. So don't trample over it. Hold it up, hold it high. Be proud of the fact that you've set out on a journey of doing something for you. Don't give up on yourself, and (excuse the expression) "piss it all away." Value what you have and discover the real meaning as to why you've embarked upon this journey. You are your biggest obstacle and greatest critic. Praise yourself and appreciate every moment of the journey; its well worth it.
- Poor--Don't sell yourself short. Even the poor have great aspirations. Give yourself the best you can give yourself. The Law of Attraction states that you attract to yourself what you believe. Believe the best of you and in you. Live as if you have your goal attained. Follow the plan that you set forth into motion and make it be progress. When you find yourself in times of peril or giving up, think
- Performance--Be Thankful at every moment. But don't forget, just because you dream it, feel it, taste it, and see it, doesn't mean that you can't lose it. Keep steady to the course, the plan. Be true to yourself. Remember, everything worth having in life takes hard work and dedication. Get in there and sweat for it. Work hard to achieve your goal. In my own words, "Run through the finish line, not to it!"
The reality is that The 7 P's to Success can be applied to everyday life. From career to family life, from personal enrichment to encountering God, The 7 P's to Success provide us with a road map to life and daily living. I say its a guide, because we can also chose to make a conscious choice and not follow this. Everyone, from the teenager trying to discover self-identity to the CEO of a major corporation can apply The 7 P's to Success, and adapting them to their specific circumstance. Individuals can use The 7 P's to Success to better their lives and achieve their goals. Parents can apply The 7 P's to Success to raising the children. Managers can employ The 7 P's to Success in managing their employees, especially in trying to achieve a common goal.
The applications of The 7 P's to Success are not limited to people, they are are also applicable in situations, circumstances, achieving tangible things, making goals into reality. For example, the person who wants to make more money, they can apply The 7 P's to Success to their situation and achieve their specific financial goal. Or the individual seeking an education: The 7 P's to Success offer not only a way to achieve that High School Diploma/GED or College or Graduate Degree, but also lets them tackle the everyday moments of achieving that greater goal (i.e., going to classes, doing homework, special projects, lab work, etc.). The applications are limitless for The 7 P's to Success, from problem/conflict resolution, to learning how to dance; from flying a kite to building a sky-scraper; from overcoming addiction to transforming your life.
I would like to close this by quoting a poem which may serve as inspiration and motivation. I know it has been the source and inspiration of a recent movie and book and carried hope to one of the world's most known leaders and personalities in times of unimaginable struggle and strife.
INVICTUS
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
by William Ernest Henley
Sincerely,
FULL OF WISDOM
Disclaimer: These blogs are all original works are resulting from of inspiration, many years of study, contemplation and personal reflection, prayer, life experiences, and encounters with others (be they personal or professional encounters). Please feel free to use the material as needed, but give credit accordingly. Who knows when or where these works might turn out. Plagiarism is a true crime. Also feel free to let me know what you think and how I am doing. Thanks. Full of Wisdom.
