Over past holidays, I had the amazing experience of making an age-old recipe for cinnamon buns. A recipe for success. These are not just cinnamon buns…these are THE BEST cinnamon buns. The recipe originated with my childhood neighbor’s mother, and my mom acted as my coach supporting me via the telephone. There were several, “Keep your phone by you in case I have a cinnamon bun emergency” relays. I kid you not.
The whole process takes 36 hours for the dough to rise and the buns to “mature” (I have mature buns, haha) before baking. As I worked my way through the process, watching the raw ingredients come together to make something new gratified me. I began to think about how various ingredients of our personalities, experiences, and circumstances culminate in a recipe for success (because this is what I think about ALL the time, people).
So what makes success? Well, as I waited for my dough to rise, I had a few ideas.
Recipe for Success
1. Failure
While this may seem counter intuitive, this is the fundamental basis for nearly every success story. You have to try first in order to succeed. And, when you try something new, you will likely fail. Failure is a part of attempting anything new.
Culture tends to describe failure as the antithesis of success, but it’s not. Instead, failure is one of the building blocks of success because it means you’re out there “in the arena,” trying something which is beyond your capability or you’re learning what doesn’t work for you.
2. Discipline
This is the least favorite of all, I would guess. People like instantaneous success. They like to try once and succeed. No one wants the going to get tough or the terrain to get rough. We like is easy…Netflix on the couch easy.
But, and I can guarantee this, real success won’t be. You will have to keep going even when it looks bleak and even when you don’t want to. Discipline is the inner strength to generate more hope and more optimism when your brain is telling you otherwise.
3. Time
If you want to be good at something, you have to work at it (discipline) but you also have to prioritize your time. You won’t run the New York City Marathon if you only go for a walk for 30 minutes once a week. You have to make time to train. The same is true for a start up company or a new hobby. Learning takes time.
4. Resources
Find people who already do whatever it is you want to do and get to know them. Have them help you and learn from their expertise. Maybe they can give you some tips or tricks to make the road easier. Plus, you’ll have someone to ask for help when you run into a wall and need a work around.
5. A Solid Goal
Though I listed this last, this is the most important thing. A solid S.M.A.R.T. goal is essential for success. Thinking you will, “eat healthier” is less likely to lead to success than eating “1500 calories” per day. Why? Because one is measurable, which is a component of a good goal. Being able to define and visualize you goal is important.
Success is out there, but it usually doesn’t come cheap. Struggling to stick to your plan? Well, define your goal and then WRITE IT DOWN. Did you know that writing down a goal makes you 40% more likely to complete it? Go get a pen and give yourself that extra 40% boost.
By the way, my buns were amazing. 🙂
Love, K.
Author of Ten Iron Principles, Contributor in The Power to Make a Difference
