The 10 Ds of success

Booker T. Washington, American educator, once said, "I have learnt that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed."

This resonates in the studies done by psychologists, who are of the view that becoming successful requires hard work, and one has to be willing to fail because we can learn from our mistakes.

"Nothing can compensate for hard work," says Dr Anthony Allen, consultant psychiatrist. "There are many persons who are successful in life, who are never looking for fame, but they work very hard."

Dr Allen explained that success is not just about money, but it is about how you make a difference in the world by making a difference in people's lives.

He gives the following recommendations:

1. Be willing to be innovative

2. Have a good mentor.

3. Do research, gain knowledge

4. Be a good reader.

Further, there are some D's for success, which one should try and follow

Duty, which is a moral obligation as a citizen.

Decency: The term decent means good enough; behaving in an honest and fair way towards other people.

Discipline surrounds the fact that you do what is necessary to see your goals materialise. After you have set your goals, you should have the discipline to do what is necessary to achieve them.

Direction: You should be sure about the direction you want to go. If you are unsure, any road will take you where you do not necessarily want to go. Ask yourself: What does God want me to do? What values and attitudes will guide me along my educational journey?

Dedication: Dedication encompasses commitment. Are you totally committed to the various tasks required to achieve your stated goals and personal plans? Are you prepared to go the extra mile to reach to the goal summit? Bradley Beadle, a peer tutor at Mona High, was dedicated to receiving excellent marks in his subjects. And so, regardless of various disruptions, distractions and obstacles, he remained dedicated to achieving his goals.

Determination carries with it the drive to do something and see it through to completion. It is wise to remind yourself each morning of the goals that you have set for yourself and how much you really want those goals. Determination will be kept vibrant. It was Mahatma Gandhi who said, "One never can achieve anything lasting in this world by being irresolute."

Decisiveness: Being decisive means firmly making up your mind about something. You ought to be decisive about how you are going to reach your stated goals. You will reach them faster.

Diligence: Being diligent means that you are extremely serious about life and what you are doing. It means you are serious about getting 100% in all subjects and so study times and exam times and serious and sacred times.

Detachment: A detached person is a focused individual. Detachment is vital for you to stay the course. So being focused is of paramount importance.

English poet Alexander Pope once said, "A little learning is a dangerous thing." While Plato, the philosopher reminds us "The learning, and knowledge that we have is at the most, but little compared with that of which we are ignorant."

Each one of us has what it takes to be successful; put your best foot forward!

Paul G. Messam is a Counsellor, Writer and Motivational speaker.