The last five strategies, according to Henry Cloud’s “Nine Things You Simply Must Do,” include …
5. Act Like an Ant. One step at a time, bit by bit, continuously moving towards your goals. I was reading a book this weekend that talked about the great cathedrals of Europe. Most were not built in the lifetime of the original builders … but they were finished and they are magnificent and they are a constant inspiration to generations. One step at a time.
6. Hate Well. Hate things, not people … and act to stop the things you hate from taking over your life and paralyzing you. I can think of a couple … jealousy, bitterness, a lack of discipline, feelings of inadequacy or incompetency, injustice. Be a change–agent.
7. Don’t Play Fair. Rise above the world’s standard of “an eye for an eye” and treat everyone the way you want to be treated … no matter what, give back more than you were given.
8. Be Humble. Recognize that you don’t know everything and commit to taking responsibility for learning from mistakes and new situations. Lifelong learners with a thirst for knowledge are valuable assets in today’s competitive job market.
9. Upset the Right People. Honor your values and principles in guiding your actions. Doing what is right, even in the face of upsetting the apple cart, is the hard thing. Doing the hard thing is what successful people do.
(Christian Counseling Today, 2004 Vol. 12, #3)