IMG_6613It's your life.

This statement is profound on many levels, such as: 

1. you alone will be judged for how you live it

2. you alone are responsible for the results you obtain

3. you alone will be blamed for any failures.

What your life is and becomes, what you contribute, who you spend time with, and how you choose to employ the days of your life are ultimately your responsibility.

Let's consider the topic of success.  One of the greatest failures a person can make is trying to succeed according to someone else's definition of success. Life is too short, too personal, and too important to waste climbing someone else's ladder.

This is why I teach people to "customize" their success; to determine exactly what it is they want to do and accomplish with the days they've been given. (Of course, as believers we know that this should be done through prayer and a diligent seeking to be obedient to the call of God on our lives. Still, it appears there are huge swaths of territory open for us to decide upon our particular paths within the boundaries of God's leading.)

So what do you really, really want your life to be like?

What dreams have you nurtured deep in your heart for too long now?

What do you truly want to accomplish?

Who do you want to be as a person?

What do you want to be known for?

If people had to sum up your entire life with just one sentence, what would you want that sentence to be?

When you look back on your life, what will you most regret not doing if you don't get started on it soon? 

Don't waste another moment. Go after your own custom version of success with everything you've got. After all, only you can do what only you can do.

Sincerely,

Chris Brady

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19 responses to “Customized Success – It’s Your Life”

  1. JeanetteP Avatar
    JeanetteP

    Chris,
    That was very freeing! Again, thank you for your encouragement and for all that you do!
    God bless,
    Jeanette

    Like

  2. Teesa Rossman Avatar
    Teesa Rossman

    This post is great and so is the picture! I now have the image in my head of you getting off of your motorcycle, taking off your helmet and grabbing the camera to snap a picture of your “more experienced friends” due to reading “A month in Italy”. LOL

    Like

  3. Lori Pfister Avatar
    Lori Pfister

    I have been so encouraged by this very truth. I find this powerful beyond measure to know that I am responsible for my results.
    Thanks for being part of the plan that moves me froward on the right path.
    ~Lori

    Like

  4. Robby Palmer Avatar

    Oooh! This is provoking good things, I better get writing them down. Thanks chris!

    Like

  5. Cathy - Team Rascals Avatar

    Chris,
    I was so pleased with exploring the first module of the MFC about Purpose. I never did that. That’s funny, because I’d worked on personal mission statements. But as I worked through the book, CD’s and video (and discussion), I realized I had yet to detect my purpose. It was so very freeing, to understand finally that part of myself.

    Like

  6. Alex Obiden Avatar
    Alex Obiden

    I want to be a policy council. I want that win, that feeling. I want to pick that song, and walk the steps to the platform knowing that,”while others slept,i toiled up the mountain side.” I’m 22 now. I want to be one of those guys you se and think wow, he really did it. Mostly i want that feeling for me; the freedom, and unity. The struggle; that’s what i want

    Like

  7. Leah Stadel Avatar

    Perfect questions for every “conversation”. Lets memorize, shall we?
    Leah

    Like

  8. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    Its not that I disagree with any of the above…
    I struggle with the ‘how” to get thru the cobwebs and life challenges we must address on a daily basis, in order to truly discover what it is we want to accomplish…and then the steps to get there.
    When someone has the means, it is more accessible to get there. When you do not, aspirations can seem too daunting and unattainable.
    How does one get from a to b, and then continue on?

    Like

  9. Terri Brady Avatar

    I like your thought : what one sentence would I want people to say summed up my life? That seems to align purpose and action so perfectly! I know what I would want that sentence to be- so now my actions and reactions need to align:). You are so great at saying so much with so few words.

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  10. Ken Hendon Avatar
    Ken Hendon

    Getting from A to B is simply: wanting it bad enough, and doing what those who want your success tell you to do. Trust their leadership and continually build your dream. God will bless your efforts!

    Like

  11. matt mielke Avatar
    matt mielke

    Thanks Chris for sharing. You and Terry are such an inspiration to Michelle and I. We look to your lives as living examples of people aligning their purpose and actions. What I appreciate the most is the humility you demonstrate as a couple and the fruit that flows from your individual and family life. Thanks for giving us a picture of faith in action.
    Matt

    Like

  12. Easton Kelsey, Gilbert AZ Avatar
    Easton Kelsey, Gilbert AZ

    Like helping Manase get the Top Gun award in Columbus?:)Legacy in growing LIFE to a million strong? one purpose….one million. Go Brother! To arms! to arms! Let us defeat the monster called Mediocracy!

    Like

  13. Bob Pollock Avatar
    Bob Pollock

    Chris,
    Once again, you hit the nail on the head. My kids are now 25 and 27, but I used to stress personal responsibility with them all of the time. That cuts against the grain of society, but the winners in life accept responsibility for both successes and failures.
    Bob

    Like

  14. Kristine Militello Avatar
    Kristine Militello

    Customize your success! Love it! Life certainly isn’t a one size fits all! Thanks for an awesome post : )

    Like

  15. Rob Robson Avatar

    This reminded me of something else you said on a CD a long time ago about how once we realize that none of us are going to make it out of this life alive, we realize how dumb it is to try to tiptoe through life, trying to make it to death safely.

    Like

  16. Kristen Seidl Avatar

    Chris, I was never asked these questions nor have I ever thought about the answers…until I met the TEAM. I am thankful there are more and more people asking these questions to get people thinking about true success. Thank you Chris for all that you do!

    Like

  17. Jorge Carrazco Avatar
    Jorge Carrazco

    This post REALLY has me thinking! I appreciate it Chris, just the ammunition I needed for perfecting my PLAN.

    Like

  18. Robby Palmer Avatar

    Yes!!! Team One Purpose!!

    Like

  19. How to Learn from Failures Avatar

    Amazing information hope I could memorize it. Thank you.

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