The Connection between Self Control and Success
Meagan Blessing 
Self-control and success are connected but not for the reasons you may think.
Usually, we think self-control is necessary for success because of the discipline it takes to stay on task, problem-solve, and finish strong in any situation. It is true that many people don't succeed, not because they are incapable of succeeding, but rather because they simply give up too soon.
Having a solid work ethic certainly doesn't hurt anyone's success, but a solid work ethic will only get you so far.
The kind of self-control I am talking about is when we take ourselves to task from the inside out; doing the hard inner work necessary to handle success so that when it comes, we do not crumble under the weight of it.
What does success look like to you? It looks different to everyone. Some people feel they are successful when they are financially secure, with a good job and a healthy benefits package. Others feel successful when they are able to be self-employed and have control over their schedule. In either case, I would ask the same question: what kind of person do you need to become in order to handle that kind of success?
That is where self-control comes in. As you exercise your will to do things that stretch you, you become stronger on the inside. The person who longs to quit their 9-5 needs to perhaps be able to deal with financial uncertainty. They must be self-motivated. They can't procrastinate because if they are the boss, no one is going to tell them what to do.
The person who wants a secure job with cushy benefits needs to know how to be a team player, how to add value to their company, and how to be a consistent contributor.
We have this crazy idea that success comes suddenly. The term 'overnight success' gets tossed around as if success is something we can pick up through osmosis while sleeping.
Not so.
Success is built on the inside first. And that's a good thing. Because there is nothing worse than getting the one thing you thought you wanted and realizing it is going to be a lot harder to hold onto than you anticipated...and you know you are not adequately prepared to do so.
Better to build the necessary internal character structure necessary before you need it than to scramble to cobble it together after you know you need it. The best example I can think of is people who win the lottery but are unprepared to steward wealth. Honestly, that type of 'success' can ruin a person's life, and it has.
So as you move towards the goals you have set for success in your life, take the time to do the inner work as well as the outer stuff everyone sees. In doing so, you will position yourself not only to achieve success but to hold onto it; to be successful in whatever you are called to do.
Categories: : Fruit of the Spirit, rising lights creative, self control, success