Making it to the top
published: Wednesday | June 15, 2005

Wendel Abel

THE RACE is on. Everyday there are thousands struggling, scrambling, racing to make it in life. Regardless of our field of endeavour, be it sports, medicine, academics, sales, construction , we all aspire to succeed and make it to the top.

Here are the qualities we must cultivate in order to successfully make it in life:

1 - Hard work: This is a must. Ponder this well-known quote: "Heights great men have reached and kept were never attained by sudden flight but they, while their companions slept, kept toiling upward through the night".

2 - Belief in self: Marcus Garvey reminds us that a man without self confidence is half defeated in the race of life. You must believe in 'self'. You must believe you can make it.

3 - Have a vision: What would happen to you if you ever stepped out of your home without knowing where you are going? We must have goals, aspirations, dreams and visions. Without vision the people perish. Vision is the flame that rekindles our dreams. Whenever I ask a young person what is their vision and they have no clue, I become worried. People with vague dreams and visions will end up anywhere or no where. You will end where the tides take you. Create a personal vision for yourself today. Dream on it and start working toward it.

4 - Positive thinking: Many persons have become cynical about life. Many people focus on the negatives of life. Are you the type of person who is always anticipating the worst? Are you always thinking about the negatives? Negative thinking paralyses us into inaction. Negative thoughts kill dreams and destroy vision. Be positive. Challenge the negative thinking and cultivate positive thinking on a daily basis. Start focusing on the possibilities. Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Paste these affirmations on your wall, write them in a book and read them every day. You will be surprised the impact this will have on your life.

5 - Set your goals high: Remind yourself that the sky is the limit and soar high like an eagle. However, be realistic as you may fall. Go for it!

6 - Grace and good manners: Remember the old adage? Manners take you around the world and back without a penny. You can be assertive and be graceful at the same time. You can be successful and be well mannered. Learn to control your emotions, feelings, attitudes and behaviour in the face of insult and under pressure.

7 - Develop charisma and charm: Some of the most successful persons have developed charisma and charm. It is that special touch, that smile, that spice in your personality that will give you an extra edge.

8 - Take time out to express gratitude: Never take others for granted. Pause to say thanks. Pick up the phone to express your appreciation to someone. Send a card or write a note to say thank you. Gratitude encourages persons to express their generosity to you.

9 - Be supportive: You can make it without trampling on others. Share ideas. Find time to be supportive. Be good to a neighbour in need. Cast thy bread upon the waters and it will find thee after many days.

The race of life is a relatively short one. We can all be winners. Run your race and run it well. Set your goals, glide with grace, pursue your dreams with courage and take others under your wing. Be confident and assertive. Nurture positive thoughts and go for it!

Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer, University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.