Do what you must, the money will follow

• The ultimate success secret revealed!

Glenford Smith, Career Writer

Would you be interested to know the single greatest obstacle standing between you and your ideal income and lifestyle, whether you're unemployed, self-employed or working for someone else?

Writer Napoleon Hill calls it the master key to riches in his book by that name. Insurance professional Albert Gray calls it the common denominator of success in his timeless essay of the same name.

To quote him: "The common denominator of success - the secret of success of every man who has ever been successful - lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do."

And Brian Tracy, in his book, Million Dollar Habits, asserts, "The most important habit you can develop for success and achievement is the habit of self-discipline ... which is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not."

There you have it. A world of unlimited achievement is opened to you when you do what you should rather than what feels good.

There's a famous book, Do What You Love, the Money will Follow. However, I think the truth is closer to: Do what you must, the money will follow.

That's because to succeed in your career and business, you cannot always do what you love, or even what you enjoy. Many people write me and share their frustration with their jobs, bosses or co-workers. Many contemplate quitting because they desire to work somewhere that they're treated fairly, paid what they're worth, and can do what they love.

Also, many actually quit because they've become frustrated with the job search, working at a job where they can't pay their bills or trying to achieve elusive sales success.

To regain your motivation and reignite your commitment to career excellence, the key is to practise self-discipline. Do what you must.

Who likes sacrificing immediate gratification in order to save money? Or exercising? Or studying? Or even having to go to work?

We still do these things nonetheless. Not because we like doing them, but because we must do them. If we don't, we can't pay our bills, take care of our families, enjoy good health or achieve a debt-free lifestyle.

So how do you make something a must? By clarifying your reasons.

Frederick Nietzsche once said: "He who has a why can endure any how."

And Anthony Robbins has taught: "If you can't, you must; if you must, you can."

So write down the strong reasons why you must make a certain amount of money or achieve a certain goal. Make a list of the positive rewards and one of the painful consequences of failing.

And remember the words of writer John Luther: "There's no such thing as a perfect job. In any position, you'll find some duties which, if they aren't onerous immediately, eventually will be. Success depends not merely on how well you do the things you enjoy, but how conscientiously you perform those duties you don't."

Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist.

glenfordsmith@yahoo.com