One of the key ingredients to success in any endeavor is desire. You have to want it; not just think it would be nice to have or enjoy- but really want it! It has to be important to you, and you must care about the end result. Caring about the end result is vital. Otherwise, you will never do what it takes to make it happen. Success, in any endeavor, requires effort. In many cases it requires prolonged, focused, sustained effort. The only way you can keep up the focus required for this kind of effort, is through your passion and desire for the achievement and enjoyment of the goal, or end result.

In order to enjoy really great success, you must hone your desire to a laser like intensity until you are willing to do what it takes to achieve your goal. This, of course, does not mean that you are going to engage in practices that are illegal or unethical, but it does mean that you will commit to doing whatever it takes to see it through. It means you will read the books that will educate you on that particular subject as well as on related subjects. It means you will practice, drill and rehearse the skills you need, with precision, to be successful. It means you will plan and execute your plans, consistently adjust your plan, as a situation changes and calls for new ideas. It means you will uncover your strengths and work to make them stronger. It means you will commit to uncovering your weaknesses, in any area; you will work to alleviate them, or find ways to work around those weaknesses. It means you want “this” so much you will get out of your comfort zone and do what it takes. It means you will not give in to excuses. You will not give in to ridicule. It means you will not take the easy path just because it is easier- rather- you take only the path that will enable you to realize your dreams. You have to want it, intensely.

When you really want something, you don’t just casually think how nice it would be to have or do that thing. When you really want something, you think about it a lot. It occupies a great deal of your thoughts. You lie awake at night thinking about it- you are keenly interested in subjects and events that relate to your area of interest. You get excited when you think about it and it brings you joy. The work and preparation that is necessary to achieve the result is simply regarded as part of the process. You realize it as such and you gladly pay the price, for success.

How can you hone this desire? You have to see the benefits of the success first. It has to mean something to you. You have to already want whatever it is or the benefits that are derived from its realization. Then, you can work with the internal parts of you that may keep a lid on your desire. I once worked with a group of people to set goals for their production. It always seemed, that at the end of the period, the individuals only produced that which they had a desire to produce- even if the company had set a higher goal for them. They only achieved what they saw themselves achieving or what they truly desired to produce. Not until they raised their personal level of desired success, did they realize a higher measure of success.

How can you raise this desire? First, truly see the benefits that are derived from the realization of the goal or the project. The results do not have to benefit you personally in order to be meaningful. You may derive great pleasure and internal benefit from helping others- this quite often results in a deep sense of satisfaction. A project at work may benefit the company as a whole, or a particular segment of the company. Of course, the results may benefit you or your family directly. The key is to sit down and write out or think about the benefits that will be realized.

Keep the end result and the benefits in front of you, thinking about them often. If it’s a personal vision or desire, have pictures and other reminders in a notebook, on a board where you can see it or in a folder that you refer to regularly. Some people write down their goals and the benefits and carry them in their wallet or purse. The key is to think about the benefits and the outcomes and refer to them on a regular basis.

This is especially important when you hit the inevitable problems. Every project encounters a bottleneck somewhere that requires planning and problem solving. At times, during these instances, one can lose the enthusiasm one had for the project or idea. The desire to give up may seem to become stronger than the desire to succeed. It is precisely at these times that one needs to focus on ones’ positive desires and remember why they began in the first place and what they wanted to accomplish.

Desire is more than simple enthusiasm. Enthusiasm will grow out of desire, but a deep seated desire is the driving force behind all great accomplishments. One may be enthusiastic about something until the problems arise and then the enthusiasm wanes. A deep seated desire however, will be the catalyst to push past the disappointment and be the force that looks for a solution. If your desire is strong enough, it will be the impetus that finds a way to make the vision work.

Develop and maintain this deep seated desire. Keep it honed and focused. Remember always why you are doing what you are doing. Keep it steadfast in your mind. Do not lose sight of the goal.

Also remember that you may have several different desires that have competing priorities. It will be up to you to keep those priorities in balance as much as possible. Sometimes, this means focusing on something to the exclusion of other projects or ideas, but do not forget to go back and give those other projects the needed attention they deserve as well.

Jeff White