In Success there are No Silver Bullets

Are you stuck in a rut? Are things not going your way in your personal and organization's pursuit of success?

If so, have you ever thought about making the quick buck? Going off in another direction and pursuing the once in a lifetime opportunity? The invention that will catapult your company into stardom and success? The game changing real estate deal, or the blockbuster product, the radical transformation, the bold but untested strategy?

Are you looking for the silver bullet that will solve any and all of your problems in life?

In Jim Collins' book , "How the Mighty Fall" his team concludes that there is no such thing as a silver bullet. In fact, people or organizations that look for silver bullets are more likely to end up closing or go belly up in their search for the illusive magical solution.

What their research finds on the contrary is that people who succeed are those who formulate strategies by relying on empirical evidence and not the latest hype or fad.

They are the ones that understand that combining two mediocre or struggling companies does not make a great one. On a personal level, this would mean getting married, based on the flawed thinking that all my problems will go away when I meet Mr. and Ms. Right, because of our synergies and how well we work together.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. A marriage or a merger of two companies should be based on proven strengths with the view of amplifying them when the organizations are joined. These should only be considered when both are secure in who their organizations are and have a clear view of how they can contribute to making an even greater organization.

Silver bullets are like snake oils, they are unfortunately ineffective, no matter what the person selling them says.

So what does success looks like?

Success is all about discipline. Disciplined people, who apply disciplined thought into disciplined action.

Discipline is equivalent to 10,000 hours of practice according to Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outliers" to master a craft or be successful.

Discipline is getting up at 5am everyday to get ready for work regardless of whether it is a sunny or rainy day, whether it is sweltering hot or freezing cold.

Proverbs 13:4 says, "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. "

Success is about discipline, I know its unexciting compared to the idea of a silver bullet, not only that but it's insanely simple and it works and that's what counts.

So next time you find yourself in a rut, don't go for the silver bullet. Go for hard work and discipline.