Success and productivity depend on each other. Productivity without a sense of accomplishment isn’t very motivating or fulfilling. At the same time, success is never fully realized unless you’ve worked hard to achieve it. Some people are born rich, but most are not. Being wealthy doesn’t particularly mean you’re productive or successful. True success comes from honest hard work, and a sense of accomplishment.

What’s Productivity?

Productivity and hard work are synonymous. The Oxford Dictionary states, “Productivity is the effectiveness of productive effort.” Successful productivity will require effective effort. And your productivity is influenced by, and is a result of, your values and goals.

Which direction are you headed? When you’re being productive, you’re proactive, not reactive. When proactive you’re making plans, developing goals, being creative, and actively working. Being reactive or simply “coasting” along—waiting for things to improve—doesn’t lift you up. In fact, coasting usually only carries you farther downhill. Reaching your goals brings more than just financial rewards; it brings personal fulfillment and satisfaction from hard work and successful effort.

What is Success?

Do you measure success only by how much money is in someone’s bank account? Or do you think successful people are those who live a balanced, happy, and fulfilled life? In this modern era, raising a happy, healthy family can be very challenging. It’s even more difficult to keep your priorities in order if you’re struggling financially. Success is much easier when you can balance your assets with your values and goals. Financial freedom gives you a strong, stable foundation upon which to build your dreams.

Who’s responsible for your life? Is it you, your boss, or your creditors? American men and women who desire to manage their own financial affairs are faced with two important choices: Will I allow others to direct what happens to me and my finances? Or, will I learn to be responsible for my own life and financial affairs? One of the keys to financial success is deciding who has responsibility for each choice. It’s a matter of whose choices are directing your life.

Your Choices

Most people experience some happiness when they make responsible choices in their lives and finances. Things are going along fairly smoothly. Then at other times, they feel pressured by outside forces they have little or no control over. Maybe they feel someone else, or something else, is to blame for their situation or lack of success.

What’s the Difference?

Most likely the difference between the times you felt successful and the times you didn’t, is whether or not you made good choices. When you’re making good choices, often no challenge is too great or too difficult to overcome. But it’s easy to become discouraged when you feel like other people or events are controlling your life.

Dangers of Discouragement

When you’re discouraged, you can lose interest in your activities and even your energy seems drained. You often lose your drive and may feel worthless, afraid of the future, lost, or hopeless. Breaking free of discouragement can be very difficult. You may even forget or lose sight of your goals and potential.

When discouraged, you must remind yourself that success often begins with an act of will. In fact, even the word “discouragement,” has “courage” right in the center. If you can tap into your courage, and press forward one step at a time, you can overcome most of the obstacles life throws your way. Taking responsibility for your life is a conscious choice of will. Remind yourself of past successes and get up, brush yourself off, and keep moving toward your goals. Everyone has setbacks; what you do with them is the difference between failure and success.

Publisher and successful businessman Walter Annenberg once wrote in a letter to his son…

“I want to remind you that success in life includes hard slogging. There will be periods when discouragement is great and upsetting, and the antidote for this calmness is a modest yet firm belief in your competence. Be sure that your priorities are in order so you can proceed in a logical manner, and be ever mindful that nothing will take the place of persistence.”

You may also gain motivation to overcome obstacles by realizing that you personally are ultimately your most important product. Now learn how to make choices to enhance your productivity and guide you down the path to financial freedom and further success.

Your Personal Inventory

List some of your talents, skills, and abilities below. It may help to consider all the jobs you’ve held, community service, and your daily responsibilities:

1. What type of work am I best at?

2. What kind of work do I like best?

3. What’s my most obvious talent?

4. What other skills, abilities, and talents do I have?

5. What can I do to expand on these qualities?

6. What income-producing jobs could utilize these qualities?

7. Who could advise me on enhancing my income by using my strengths?

 

Your Most Important Product is You!

Everyone has unique and varied roles to fill and individual goals for his/her future. It’s important to keep them in mind whenever you decide to make changes or begin a new plan in your life. Your quality of life and the person you become is really your most important product.

Your Checklist for Success

Success depends on many different aspects in your life. You’ll need to draw on various talents, abilities, and skills to do your best. Also, your productivity and success depend on each other. You must clearly identify and use the special strengths that help to make you who you are.

Always Go with Your Strengths…

You are your most important product, and you should always go with your strengths. You need to consider your special talents, strengths, abilities, and skills that enhance your productivity and success. Take this personal inventory to get an overall picture of your assets.

What Makes You Unique?

Everyone has unique strengths and abilities. In order to best use your individual assets, first you need to gain a clear understanding of them.

Ask yourself or have a friend ask you the following questions. They’re designed to help you think about your unique talents and abilities:

1. Is your natural focus on people, data, or things? What is your secondary focus?

2. Are you more comfortable working indoors or outdoors?

3. Are you more comfortable seated or standing?

4. How do you balance the need to seek greater opportunity with the need for job security?

5. Would you rather design a plan or help carry it out?

6. Is your work tempo slow or fast?

7. Are you concerned about the details or workmanship of a job?

8. Do you enjoy competition at work?

9. Would you rather work on commission or a salary?

10. Do you like a lot of direction or are you a self-starter?

11. Do you enjoy traveling in your work?

12. Do you prefer physical or mental labor or a mixture?

Once you have a handle on your nature and assets, you’re ready to develop a plan for your success. When you review your experience, interests, and abilities, you’ll realize your real strength is YOU!