Tony Williamson

"What you are speaks so loudly that the world can't hear what you say."

The older I become, the more I watch what people do, the less I listen to what they say. Talk is cheap, and some of the greatest underachievers in life are some of the greatest talkers. One reason not to take politicians seriously on the campaign trail is that they are full of promises, desiring to be given the reins of power. But how many of them follow through on their promises? This is not just a Jamaican phenomenon, it exists all over the world.

But results are the really important clue to your success or failure in life. What you do brings results. What you say is meaningless without corresponding action and results. Why are things not working out for so many people? Jack Canfield has this to say: "The easiest, fastest, and best way to find out what is or isn't working is to pay attention to the results you are currently producing. You are either rich or you are not. You either command respect or you don't. You are either maintaining your ideal body weight or you are not. You are either happy or you are not. You either have what you want or you don't. It's that simple. Results don't lie!"

Curing 'EXCUSITIS'

If you wish to move ahead in life, you have to stop making excuses and blaming others. If you are a salesman and behind in your quota, do not blame the company. The fault is yours. If you are overweight, do not blame your mother or your family genes or excuse your condition on the grounds that you are from a 'big-boned' family. It's not 'big bones' that's your problem; it's a big mouth and irresponsible eating! You are the one who ate the junk food. You are the one who took second and third helpings!

Are you unhappy in your job? You are the one who took the job. You are the one who is staying in the job. Not reaching your goals? You are the one who gave up on your dreams.

You have to give up blaming. Wayne Dyer put it succinctly, "All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you."

GIVE UP COMPLAINING

Teenager Bianca Fedele goes through her showjumping paces. Grabbing the reins of life and taking responsibility is critical to achieving personal success. - File

Lou Holtz, the successful coach, said, "The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it." When you complain about something, you are admitting that something better exists. If you complain about your income, you are admitting that there is a better income available out there. If you complain about your house, you know there are better houses out there. If you complain about your job, you are admitting that there are better jobs available.

But guess what? Many who complain are unwilling to take the risks associated with changing what they are complaining about. But you cannot get to second base without taking your foot off first. If you are not prepared to take the risk of change, quit complaining. The circumstances people complain about are, by their very nature, things that can be changed. You can get a better job, make more money, lose weight, eat healthier food, live in a nicer house, a better neighbourhood. Fear is the reason many do not make these changes. The fear of failure allows us to rationalise in our minds that complaining is better than risk taking.

Don't just sit there and complain. Do something. Lead, follow or get out of the way. The world does not owe you a living. What you do is what you get.