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By
Chris Widener
Of
course by now we are all becoming aware of DNA. It is the source code
that
determines who we are. When we look at DNA we can see what a person
will
look like, what diseases they may come down with, etc. This has been a
tremendous
breakthrough for scientists and will continue to be so for some
time,
I think.
This
got me to thinking about what makes up those who are top achievers. Is
there
a “DNA” to them? Obviously, all top achievers wouldn’t have the same
literal
DNA but what about a figurative DNA? Is there a common “gene” that
they
all have? Are there common “genes” perhaps? I think so!
If
we could get right down to it, I think these are the genes we would find
in
the DNA of top achievers:
A
predisposition to setting high, lofty goals. Top
achievers are people who
won’t
and can’t settle for the status quo. They see average as a place they
want
to keep in the rear-view mirror. Instead, they continually look for
ways
to stretch themselves, to get better, to do better, to be better! They
set
their sights on goals that others have never even thought of. They want
to
shoot so high that even if they miss, they go higher than everyone else.
This
is what makes them top achievers.
An
ability to focus intently upon reaching their desired destination.
Many
people
can set high goals, but just as many people get sidetracked by one
thing
or another on their way to those goals. High, lofty goals usually take
a
while to get there so there will always be plenty of time to be tempted to
stray
away from the road that is taking you to those goals. Often, those
things
that sidetrack people are good things, but not the best things. Top
achievers
do not get sidetracked. They stay focused. They know where they
are
going. They have an ability to say “no” to the good things in order to
get
to the best things.
The
willingness to personally sacrifice in order to get to their goal.
When
the
going gets tough, many people quit. When the going get tough personally,
most
people quit. When the going gets tough for top achievers, they remind
themselves
of the high. lofty goals they have set for themselves. They
remind
themselves of what an accomplishment it will be for them and that the
reward
is worth pushing through the momentary trials. They are willing to
sacrifice
personally in the short-term in order to get the reward and the
prize
long-term. Keeping their eyes on the big picture enables them to
persevere
through any personal pain they may experience.
A
predisposition to tenacity. Tenacity is the ability to “keep
on going.”
Tough
times? Keep on going! Financial troubles? Keep on going! People are
suspect?
Keep on going! You look like a dreamer? Keep on going! Tired? Keep
on
going! Want to quit and take it easy? Keep on going! Just remember this:
Keep
on going! The prize is ahead! Many people quit just before they were to
get
the reward, so keep on going!
The
ability to see available resources and to use them accordingly.
Those
who
are top achievers know that they cannot be lone-rangers on the way to
the
top. No one makes it by himself or herself. Top achievers recognize
their
weaknesses – the weaknesses that if they don’t cover will keep them
from
becoming a top achiever! They see their resources and they work to get
them
into a helping position so they can continue the route to becoming a
top
achiever. And they don’t use them, they utilize them. There is a big
difference! People, finances, etc are all brought in to
help by the top
achiever.
A
desire to help others achieve more for themselves as well. The top
achiever
knows that they can make a difference for others by becoming a top
achiever.
They know that the wealth they make can feed the hungry. They know
that
the position of influence they achieve can open a door for someone who
may
not normally get a chance. True top achievers look at how they can bring
many
with them, not how they can leave many in the dust. People are helped
by
the top achiever, not trampled upon!
I
think if we could get to the DNA of top achievers, the things we talked
about
above would be at the core and fiber of their beings. What about you?
Did
you recognize yourself at all? I hope so! The good news about the DNA we
are
talking about today as opposed to real DNA is that you can go out and
work
on top achiever DNA whereas you are stuck with real DNA. So if you lack
a
little in the above-mentioned areas, take heart – you can get better and
work
on them so that you can become a top achiever!
Chris
Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of
Made
for Success and Extraordinary Leaders, two companies helping
individuals
and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed
in
every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Join subscribers in
over
100 countries around the world! Get Chris' FREE weekly Made for Success
Ezine
by sending a blank email to success-on@mail-list.com. Get his FREE
daily
SuccessQuote™ with action point by sending a blank email to
SQ@infogeneratorpro.com.
Get his FREE monthly Extraordinary Leaders Ezine,
one
of the world's most widely distributed leadership newsletters, by
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and http://www.extraordinaryleaders.com.
Copyright
2002 Made for Success. Used by permission. All rights reserved
worldwide.