Career Tear

We all have seen it. The colleague who has worked their way up the ladder by the skin of their teeth. The student who completed school within an inch of graduating. The musical one hit wonder that is an overnight success.  How simple is accidental success?

Accidental Achievements

From the onset accidental achievements appear to be deserved and well intended.  On the contrary, accidental achievements are often unconvincing and lack a natural progression toward a specific goal. Accidentally on purposes are unplanned and their flaws lie within the expected qualities of preparation, gratitude and vision.

Reality television is a shining example of accidental achievement. Participants take a chance doing something daring and fun that would guarantee them fifteen minutes of fame, but the result was unplanned and unexpected. Essentially they fell into the lap of achievement.  Although they have discovered ways to extend their fifteen minutes to twenty their accidental achievement is marked by unpopular motives.  With the emergence of social media we have cultivated masses of accidental achievers. Their success is surprising to them and they feel overwhelmed by the attention of their short term efforts.  Their staged gratitude is revealed at intervals of successful results.  The truth of the quote centered on a low man raised to a high position reinforces the value that accidental achievement goes only so far.

Purposed Achievements

Achievements that are planned and purposed are assuredly marked with goals, timetables, relationships, tenacity, determination and gratitude. Purposed achievements root from the tree of belief.  I have never heard it recited “If you achieve it then you can believe it.”  In that context it seems  implausible to practice the reverse order.  How is it possible to achieve anything of empowering odds if at first you did not believe it was so?  Believing it is possible carries the dream further.  Achievement lacks value when it is happenstance.  In observation of achievers, I do not recall a moment of inspiration in which they said “How did I get to be the CEO you ask?  Sheer luck!”  What kind of motivation is that?  I learn best through the life lessons of others and if I heard a story of “luck” without the factors of patience and determination I would consider it a fraudulent success.  I relate to stories of conquered struggles. Who admires the stories of mega lottery winners?  The only motivation I could gain from that would be to make sure I play an extra set of numbers for the next drawing.

In my lifetime I believe that I am going to receive a nationally recognized award that mirrors my commitment to the gifts that I have been given. It may not be an instilled goal to receive a Nobel Peace Prize Award, but if it ever happens it will not be accidental.  It will be based on a deliberate motivation to be upwardly valuable.  I would be honored to receive it, but at no time will I feel less deserving because this national achievement was bestowed upon me unexpectedly.  It was my plan all along to make a difference  it just so happened that my influence reached across a bigger platform.

I am a study of people especially those who achieved extraordinarily who, by all accounts, were never expected to be victorious. When interviewed, I notice the responses of famous faces when asked the common question “Did you ever think that you would be this famous?”   Most  provide a synopsis of their childhood dream which guided them to a place of fame.  Although they never expected their dream to soar that far, they often recount the visualization of achievement and marvel at the manifestation that they currently enjoy.  It starts somewhere.  The belief that they could actualize their dream is the reason for their achievement.   It is rare when a famous face admits that they stumbled upon their notoriety. What we all see is the result of their nurtured belief that one day they could achieve.

Note the Difference

• Accidental achievers view their success as spontaneous and unworthy.
• Purposed achievers view their success as conceptualized and deserving.

• Accidental achievers show gratitude once their success is achieved.
• Purposed achievers show gratitude along the way.

• Accidental achievers withhold their goals from those around them.
• Purposed achievers vocalize their goals and expect those around them to hold them accountable.

• Accidental achievers climb the steps of a broken ladder held unsteady by those who they have wronged.
• Purposed achievers climb the steps of a unified ladder anchored by those who have motivated their journey.

• Accidental achievement is a common result of a singular experience.
• Purposed achievement is a consistent sequence of progressive actions.

• Accidental achievement focuses on instant gratification and has bandwagon followers.
• Purposed achievement has sustainability and a long term influence to make a difference.

• Accidental achievers receive.
• Purposed achievers believe.

• Accidental achievers are intimidated.
• Purposed achievers are motivated.

• Accidental achievement reveals luck.
• Purposed achievement reveals character.

Here’s to Your Success!

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