To finally reap rewards of success, obviously talent has to be there on long slow road to success - and at time of success...but has it always been there? Chess geniuses, athletes, tennis players, architects, athletes, scientists, dress designers and advertising creative directors. These "creative types"! There can be talent deep within; but there has to be hard work and training before talent bears fruition - so that it can succeed against (all) others...and this often takes a great deal of time to bear fruit.

I believe in life it's firstly a matter of finding your "niche", then unlocking your unique talents...and finding it is most difficult part. You may not even be aware you have any special gifts. That is "key" to success. As I mentioned, I found whatever little ones I had through a process of serendipity... and it's probably my one and only talent! My writing, I mean. Once uncovered, it's then a question of building on it and maximising it. Maria Callas, opera singer with "a voice like an angel" put a great deal of effort into maximising her talent. Sometimes a phenemenol talent, like a Juan Manuel Fangio*, Jim Clark or Ayrton Senna soars above all others; but in most cases it's effort and total dedication put in to make most of one's natural talents, that puts an individual into realm of a superstar - someone who is on a different level, a cut above best of rest. * Fangio won World Driver's Championship five times.

One can sometimes substitute hard work, training, experience and strategy for flair. Nice word that 'flair'. Could be a girl's name. Some detectives are like "Mr Plod", while a few sleuths have natural insight of a Sherlock Holmes. Most others have to get results through hard detailed work in uncovering cases. I don't yet know whether I'm a "natural" writer or a methodical plodder, a "gatherer and passer-onner of useless" information through a great deal of effort. Perhaps only time will tell!

I might have mentioned before (once, twice or ten times) that this manuscript has been written for anyone: from most lowly amateur to real 'pros' in sporting world. o no matter how lowly your abilities, make most of them. As I mentioned already, a positive attitude to life is all- important. A positive attitude says that your natural talent can be maximised. It also says that without further effort, natural talent will be wasted. I do like repeating myself: for emphasis primarily and as a sign of oncroaching senility too.

Sometimes persistent effort alone won't succeed in getting you to top - only sheer talent will do that... together with consistent effort to keep you at "the top of tree". Never mind - JUST TRY TO IMPROVE yourself and simply DO YOUR BEST at all times.

In setting goals we need to allow for our future growth and development. If you want to grow, you've got to eat your "veggies" and use your potential to fullest.

Life is one long journey of self discovery. It is also a great opportunity for self improvement - to grow day by day, even though you might have occasional stumble. If you accept yourself and are happy just way you are, that's fine by me too.

"Plant right seed to get right plant" - anon

"Keep your mind on what you want and off what you don't want" - Napoleon Hill

"You will become as small as your controlling desires; as great as your dominant aspiration" - James Allen

Now that we've defined and set our goals, lets look at ACHIEVING them by getting and then staying FOCUSSED...

* HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS:

There are a number of important factors that make people successful in achieving their personal goals... and I believe goalsetting is key ingredient to personal success. What else determines whether we will achieve our goals? I think following attributes are critical:

* A strong belief in oneself and one's ability to succeed

* Good self esteem

* Self confidence

* Self discipline

* A burning desire to achieve your pre-set goals

* A sound strategy with a great deal of thought given to PLANNING

* A desire to give something back to society and invest in people; ie. to make some contribution to your "little patch" of world. This leads into next one...

* Having worthy goals which benefit one self and others

* A winning focus and a positive attitude. This is very very very important.

* Consistancy and commitment

* The ability to avoid distractions, ie. ability to FOCUS

* Affirming oneself daily that you are of value to world

* An ability to take calculated risks. I've taken a few chances in my time (perhaps too many) ... maybe you have as well.

* An ability to learn from your mistakes and to overcome fear of making mistakes

* The ability to handle stress well (I'm not so "hot" on that one!).

* Taking frequent exercise - because a healthy body keeps mind healthy

* Taking time out for relaxation

* Self motivation, and most important of all,

* Personal integrity and a sense of ethics. Who says millionaires and other successful people lack integrity and rip off gullible people in street? I for one, definitely don't believe it. I think quite a few businessmen may be ruthless, but most of them have high moral codes of behaviour. But most importantly, they have "bucks" to improve people's lives in community...as long as they are not too stingy.

BALANCE:

Remember, it is vital to live a balanced life. So look at your goals in all areas of your life: material, physical, career, psychological and most importantly, spiritual. I think it's terribly important to BELIEVE and have FAITH that things will work out in future for you. That BELIEF (either in yourself or in a Higher Being) will largely determine your attitude...how happy or unhappy your life will be.