One characteristic of self-made millionaires is their ability to focus on one thing for a very long period of time. It may be a dream they are pursuing for five years, ten years or twenty years.
It takes a long time to succeed in the realization of your dream.
However, for most non-millionaires, when something does not immediately pay off or adversity strikes, they move on to the next bright shiny object. These Bright Shiny Object Syndrome chasers never experience success because they lack dedication and persistence.
I saw Facebook posts of two people I know who suffer from Bright Shiny Object Syndrome. They must be on to their fourth or fifth next big thing.
They were very enthusiastic about their latest venture.
But I know in a year or two, when their latest venture has not yet paid dividends, they will have lost all interest and moved on to the next big thing.
Success requires grit, determination, devotion and a significant amount of time to overcome failures, mistakes and obstacles. All of this adversity is good because it leads to growth. Bright Shiny Object Syndrome victims never grow enough to learn what to do and what not to do. They quit and move on when the going gets tough or the next bright shiny object catches their eye.
If you are struggling in realizing success in your life, let me ask you this: have you stuck to pursuing success on one specific thing for more than five years?
If not, that is probably why you are not achieving success in life.
Most individuals shift their focus to something else when things get hard. Unsuccessful people perpetually chase the next big thing because the thing they were previously pursuing did not immediately pay off, was too hard or was just taking far longer than they expected.
Success takes a long time. Those who succeed are relentless. They devote themselves to something and stick with it for a long time.
How long?
Until they succeed.
They never quit on their dreams.
Stop chasing every new idea that comes along and stick to one thing until you achieve success or die trying.
Persistence is a trademark found in all self-made millionaires.
Tom Corley is an accountant, financial planner and author of “Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to Be Happy and Successful in Life”, Effort-Less Wealth, Change Your Habits Change Your Life, Rich Habits Poor Habits and “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals.”
