“If you do the things you ought to do–when you ought to do them–the day will come when you can do the things you want to do–when you want to do them!”
– Zig Ziglar.
Anyone can make an excuse-and many people do. You, from this point forward are different. You have the mindset that anything is achievable and that taking total responsibility for where you are right now and where you are headed is Job #1!
Making excuses–whether conscious or unconscious–may be the number-one reason for people’s poor character development, and therefore the perpetual and futile attempt to realize their ideal future – their success.
NOTHING IS EASIER THAN MAKING EXCUSES. NOTHING IS HARDER THAN TAKING RESPONSIBILITY.
If something is hard–if it’s a challenge–you are on the right track. And, yes, that is a belief system. However, it is my direct experience that when beliefs are aligned with timeless principles; that is, where belief systems intersect with timeless principles such as, challenge creates growth – desires and dreams tend to manifest much more quickly.
In Dr. Dyer’s book “The Power of Intention” he speaks of something very similar – which is aligning your personal character traits and actions with that of the “Creator”. In the book he lists seven characteristics; creativity, love, kindness, beauty, receptivity, abundance, expansiveness. As it relates to your dreams unfolding – a critical alignment component for you is to be sure both your beliefs and character traits align with these timeless principles. I highly recommend you read this book.
Why do the Marines and other armed forces throw so much adversity; literally, difficulty after difficulty at their young recruits? Two reasons; one is to quickly identify at what starting point the cadets character is and two, because they understand that this is the quickest way to develop a stronger character.
“If you ain’t first, you’re last. You know, you know what I’m talking about? “
– Ricky Bobby
“Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser.”
– Vincent Lombardi
“Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.”
– Michael Jordan
My morning run typically ends at a park. Given that summer has just started more than a few dozen kids can be found running around and playing on any given morning. In between sets, (pushups/pullups) I notice that seemingly everywhere kids are competing; racing on foot, racing on bikes (one tiny kid had a bike that didn’t even have peddles and was racing!) everywhere I looked kids were playing tag, soccer, etc. Then, it spilled out of my mouth; jaw dropped, ipod blaring in my ears, “duh, (i said to me) competition IS natural.”
News flash! It’s human nature to compete. However, somewhere between when I was six years old and my daughter turned six we became “NICE”. You know, no winners and no losers. “Don’t worry Jimmy, just feel good.” Sarah, (who scored 3 goals) looks confused as we explain why she didn’t actually win. “there are no winners Sarah.”
While there are many larger societal challenges at the moment this one is on my radar. When and WHY did we decide we could reverse thousands of years of competitive evolution and teach kids NOT to compete? Does anyone think Sarah really believes there are no winners? Who thinks the Olympic games are going to disappear anytime soon? Guess what, kids know better instinctively.
Our attempts to shelter our kids from this NATURAL and very REAL existence of competition (yes, there are actually winners and losers) is doing them a disservice and I think our collective good intentions are misdirected. First, it’s the wrong message. we shouldn’t be telling them there are no winners or losers. We should be teaching them and coaching them about HOW to compete, HOW to win, and yes, HOW to lose and even WHY competition is healthy and positive.
Tackling life’s challenges head-on often leads to remarkable achievements. This article celebrates the essence of perseverance and determination through the metaphor of taking the stairs. Just like climbing step by step leads you to the top, consistent effort and resilience propel you towards your goals. ‘Climbing Your Way to Success: The Gift of Taking the Stairs’ focuses on the transformative power of small consistent actions in achieving greatness. So, lace-up your ambition and get ready to ascend to new heights through the power of embracing the journey, one step at a time.
“You gotta climb the steps… you can’t skip them” ~Zig Ziglar
Motivational Master Zig Ziglar outlines (brilliantly) the steps you must take to achieve the things you want in life!
It’s a great story about his wife and how patience and “taking steps” is essential, whether it’s dating or climbing the steps of success.
There Is No Elevator to Success—You have to take the stairs
Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and persistence—just like climbing a staircase. There is no elevator to success; take the stairs. Each step forward may feel small, but over time, those steps add up to real progress.
This simple truth applies to every part of life—whether you’re chasing a big goal, building a career, improving relationships, or getting healthier.
As Martin Luther King Jr. wisely said: “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Why Taking the Stairs Matters
It’s easy to wish for quick success. But when we skip the process, we miss the lessons that make us stronger. Taking the stairs means earning success step by step.
Here’s why it matters:
Growth takes time. Skills, confidence, and success are built little by little.
Challenges make you stronger. Every step teaches resilience and discipline.
Shortcuts don’t last. Quick wins often fade, but real progress sticks.
The journey matters. The experience you gain along the way is just as important as the goal.
The Harder Path Leads to Greater Rewards
When given a choice between the easy way and the harder way, choose the stairs. It may take longer, but it leads to: ✔ Better skills – Struggles teach you problem-solving and perseverance. ✔ More confidence – Overcoming obstacles makes you stronger. ✔ True success – Things you work for mean more than things handed to you.
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis
The Power of Delayed Gratification
Taking the stairs is about patience. It’s about choosing long-term success over quick fixes. Psychologists call this delayed gratification—the ability to wait for a bigger reward instead of chasing instant pleasure.
Studies show that people who master this skill do better in: ✔ School – Better grades and learning habits. ✔ Careers – More job opportunities and financial success. ✔ Health – Better fitness, eating habits, and emotional well-being.
Want to get better at delayed gratification? Try these simple habits:
Set long-term goals. Write them down and remind yourself why they matter.
Track progress. Keep a journal of your steps forward—small wins add up!
Practice patience. When tempted to quit, remind yourself that success takes time.
Taking the Stairs in Everyday Life
This mindset applies to every part of life:
Career Growth
✔ Learning new skills instead of looking for easy promotions. ✔ Taking on challenges that push you to grow. ✔ Building a reputation for hard work and dedication.
Relationships
✔ Investing time and effort to build trust. ✔ Communicating honestly—even when it’s hard. ✔ Working through problems instead of walking away.
Health & Fitness
✔ Choosing daily exercise over quick-fix diets. ✔ Eating healthy instead of chasing fast results. ✔ Sticking with habits that lead to lasting change.
Final Thought: Embrace the Climb
Success isn’t found in shortcuts. There is no elevator to success—take the stairs. Every step you take brings you closer to your goals.
So, keep climbing. Trust the process. Your hard work will pay off. 💪
