Copyright (c) 2008 Keith Shaw

Remember one of your first big challenges growing up when your were young? I'll bet one of them was learning how to ride a bicycle.

How many of you learned to ride a bicycle as a child?

Hey, that's quite a lot of you.

Now, close your eyes and remember what it felt like to ride a bicycle for the first time. Maybe yours had training wheels that helped to balance the bike as you gained confidence riding on the sidewalk in front of your house. You observed the older children in the neighborhood riding without any assistance, and your confidence expanded. You then graduated to your first test without training wheels.

It was scary!

When you started, you felt the wobbling of the tires as your excited, hurried pedaling helped you struggle to break free of your parent's or older sibling's guiding hand for balance. And, perhaps there were one or two falls along the way! However, as you continued to "practice", through your determination, will power, desire you soon sped forward on your own.

As you grew in size and age, you moved up to bigger and more complex bicycles and mastered them all. Some of you even learned to ride without holding on to the handlebars or perhaps did "daredevil" tricks jumping over ramps like "Evel Knievel".

And, I'll bet now that even if you haven't ridden a bicycle in years, you could still do it.

Now, let's take a look at success. For most, success or being successful is just as frightening as the very first time they rode a bicycle. Naturally, many people want to be successful. However, there are few that truly have the motivation to put forward the needed effort and action, and make the necessary sacrifices to get what they want.

Here are four of my success strategies. Make them part of your "quest for success".

1) Just as you did when you learned to ride a bicycle here is only one way to accomplish anything today ? set your mind to focus on doing it and let nothing get in the way with your progress. Obstacles, whether they be training wheels on a bike or lack of resources (money, time, lack of skill, etc.) are quickly overcome by the person that sets out to accomplish their heart's desire. Those who have the desire, "the fire in the belly" so to speak will out distance and out perform those who do not.

2) No matter what anyone says, "Size does matter." When you first learned to ride a bike, you were a child. As you grew to adulthood, of course you were faced with greater and more challenging situations. On your road to success, remember this quote from my Success System book, "The Power Of Concentration ' How To Take Control Of Your Life"...

"The "bigger" you are, the smaller the obstacle appears. If you think of yourself as "small" the greater the obstacle will appear to you".

Always look at the advantage you gain by overcoming obstacles, and it will give you the needed "size" and courage for the conquest ' now and in the future.

3) Do not expect that you will always have a smooth road, free of potholes, speed bumps and detours. Parts of your journey are likely to be rough. The way you navigate the bad roads shows exactly what you are made of. Always persist and continue ahead with your journey and view the smooth roads that are in front of you.

4) Do not be stopped by obstacles or setbacks. Just like when you skinned your knees and elbows learning to ride, think of it as a mere incident that has to be overcome before you can reach your goal. Learn from it and use the lesson to move ahead.

Success IS like riding a bicycle. Learn my strategies of success outlined above, and you will ALWAYS be up to the challenge, regardless of the size.


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Keith A. Shaw is the founder and President of http://www.MindBodySpiritCentral.com . Keith is an authority on motivation, self improvement, success, health and wellness. Keith is the author and creator of three Motivation and Success Systems that have helped women and men to achieve more in life than they ever dreamed possible.