Keys To Success, Inch by Inch

As life goes on sometimes you think there's got to be a better way. We are looking for keys to success in life, success in our marriages and in raising our children. Well this weekend I came across this great key to success I thought I should share with you. Please share with us how this little tidbit changes your life.

Author Unknown

Inch by Inch

When I was a freshman in college I learned an unforgettable lesson.

I was having a rough week when there was a lot to do and very little time to do it. I was overwhelmed. I panicked.

That night a friend stopped by my dorm room. When I told him my problem, he said, “Mac, I'll share something with you that my grandmother told me a few years ago. She said to always remember: ‘Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.’”

I said, “Bob, come on. Here I am drowning in work and your lifeline is a quote from your grandmother. Come on!”

After he left, however, those twelve little words kept dancing in my head. I took out a piece of notebook paper and listed all the things I had to do in the next three days. That night I began knocking them off one by one.

Three days later I took out that paper and marked through the last thing on the list. It felt great! And then I took out another piece of paper and wrote down the words: “Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.” I then folded the paper and put it in my wallet. As many of you know, I've been collecting quotes ever since.

You see, success doesn't come cascading like Niagara Falls; it comes one drop at a time through short-term, realistic goals.

Experts on motivation disagree on a lot of things, but one thing they all agree on is that your levels of motivation are directly tied to your expected probabilities of success. In other words, if you believe you can do something (the goals are realistic), you're likely to be highly motivated. If, however, you think you can't (because the goals are unrealistic) your motivation level falls greatly.

The lesson here is to continue to dream big dreams, but realize that the short-term goals that take you to the next plateau are the real keys to success.

Get out your paper and pen.

Start making your list of short-term, realistic goals.

If you're one of those people who struggles to stay on task, keep your list in front of you at all times to remind you what is important and needs to be done.

It's amazing how something so simple can make you successful.

Please share with us what your goals are this week and what you were able to accomplish.

Here's to your success,
Michelle Rothwell, Founder
Dora & Diego Homeschool Spanish

Dora & Diego Homeschool Spanish

and Advisor to Work At Home Parents

Work At Home Parents

The Top Ten Reasons Why I Married My Husband

David Letterman can have his Top Ten List. Jay Leno can have his Top Ten List. But mine tops them all.

Here's my Top Ten List of the reasons why I married my husband, Kurt:

10. Kurt has a deep sexy voice.

9. Kurt makes me laugh all the time. He's a backyard stand up comic.

8. He is stronger than I am personality wise which is what I need to keep me in check.

7. When we first met he had a house, a car, a dog, a cat, two kids and credit. I had none of that and thought I should cash in.

6. His eyes are blue sometimes. They change with what he wears.

5. He can shovel my car out of the snow even in 60 degrees below zero.

4. He fills my love tank to the brim and overflowing.

3. He writes me beautiful poetry and love letters.

2. He has cute buns.

And the number One reason why I married my husband ....

1. He puts the Lord first in his life.

So there you have it. Of course I could write more but then it wouldn't be the Top Ten List.

Have a blessed marriage,
Michelle