Words for success and achievementSometimes I read a quotation and know immediately I want to share and write about it here. I didn’t know anything about the source (though you can click her name to learn more), but it doesn’t matter. The words are profoundly true, and in practice, often forgotten.

“Unless you know what you want, you can’t ask for it.”
Emma Albani world famous soprano

Questions to Ponder

  • Do you know what you want?
  • Do you have a very clear picture of it?
  • Why do you want it?
  • Have you asked for it?

Action Steps

  1. Decide what you really want.
  2. Get specific and clear about it.
  3. Ask for it!
  4. Take action each day to move you in the direction of what you want.

My Thoughts

You have to ask in order to receive, but you can’t ask if you don’t know what you are asking for. This quotation points to the necessary starting point of all achievement – a clear picture of a desired future. Of course, success and achievement isn’t as simple as this clear picture alone (much as some Law of Attraction experts might disagree with me). It is the necessary starting point that is all too often missing for people.

As a leader, coach, or parent, the lesson expands to those you influence. If you see someone with great potential that isn’t making much progress, help them determine this critical vision step and you will have helped them in an amazing way.

Ask them (and yourself) today’s questions to ponder often.

Make sure your answers are clear.

And know you have taken a critical step toward the desired destination.

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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