3The ability to learn at any age: A full pot can never contain more water — is a saying which applies to many people who desire to become successful. An excessively bloated ego and a boastful attitude towards one’s achievements or status in life are sure-fire obstacles to the achievement of one’s goals. Not even the best teacher in the world can impart knowledge or ideas to an intellect or mind, which is already full. Willingness to learn new concepts or ideas allows one to recognise others’ achievements without envy or ill will. This is important in following the path of success to its end. Success is not the prerogative of a few. Any one who has determination and the will to strive for it, can achieve it. An open mind and a sensitive nature are keys to success.

4The ability to lead: It follows that only people who can recognise talent and ability can become leaders. Self-confidence, clarity of thought and action leading to clear and succinct decisions help a person to impress people around with his/her leadership qualities. The ability to stand by one’s principles, an instinctive understanding of future trends, use of experience in translating these trends for the present are also very important. The courage to face and accept failure is also important. Failure should be treated as an opportunity to redefine goals and pursue them with more vigour. The generation of a strong team spirit is vitally necessary for success.

5Communication skills: A person who can mesmerise listeners with his/her manner of speaking can achieve success more easily than others. It is no wonder that in our culture, we say that Goddess Saraswati (Vani) resides on the tongue of the person who can wind others around his or her little finger by sweet or persuasive talk. Communication skills also mean excellent public relations within the home and at the workplace. The three qualities of communication are conciseness, clarity and continuity. If the arguments and expressions of a person seeking success meet these three requirements, then success is an entirely achievable goal.

6Time management and administrative skills: Time is a precious commodity. It should never be wasted. It is important to respect the value of one’s own as well as others’ time and design one’s work schedule accordingly. A habitual latecomer often misses golden opportunities. A person who does not respect others’ time constraints does not command respect. Indeed, he/she stands to lose the co-operation of many people who see this as a major flaw in management skills. Delivering services or goods on time, sticking to deadlines, checking the quality of one’s work, staying up-to-date with trends and technologies on one’s work — these are skills which make success easier to achieve. Doing things well in time creates extra time to improve one’s skills. Together with working and professional skills, one should improve one’s personality by taking excellent care of one’s health and looks. Unhealthy people cannot meet the pressures of a punishing lifestyle. A good sense of style, elegance and good taste add to one’s personality and appeal.

7Creativity: No amount of hard work can guarantee success unless it is different and more scintillating than that of others.

A sense of creating new concepts, scanning new horizons, walking along untrodden paths and discovering new miracles in everyday life can work wonders for seekers of success. Never discard an idea because it sounds outrageous. May be, it can work wonders!

8Qualities of forgiveness, compassion and co-operation: A person who seeks success, loves life unconditionally. The three qualities of such a person are forgiveness, compassion and co-operation. Love for life — of which work is a major part — helps a person to be forgiving of oneself and others. The path towards success is strewn with failures, stumbling blocks and lack of facilities. To forgive others their failures is to give everyone a new chance to prove their skills. Compassion is the quality which enables a person to understand another’s predicament without pity. Forgiveness and compassion, together with love, give one the ability to work hard with complete concentration and faith — which alone finally makes success possible. A certain foundation of spirituality helps to cultivate these qualities as well as to constantly seek higher goals in life. Spirituality helps a person to control anger, greed, arrogance, jealousy and covetousness. These shortcomings are the undoing of all people who desire to be successful.

9The capacity to plan ahead: An uncanny feel for the future is a divine gift. This gift enables a person to plan ahead and design policies and actions which will bring the goal of success nearer. Money is a major ingredient of success today. Competition is intense and often cut-throat. The wannabe successful person must know how to spend money — in business or personal life — so that the future is secure and pleasant. Most millionaires in the world have attained that position by saving correctly and not wasting money just because they have it. Planning savings and investments is important. The attitude of sharing is also important.

10The theory of ‘right’ place, time, person, subject and manner of presentation: Every action and thought of a person desirous of success must be based on these tenets of behaviour. There is always a ‘right’ place, ‘right’ time, ‘right’ person, ‘right’ subject and a ‘right’ way of presentation to maximise good results. Sensing the nature of what is ‘right’ is important for a seeker of success.