"Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better. "Jim Rohn

                For three years in a row I had the privilege of speaking at an event with the late Jim Rohn.  Mr. Rohn’s tag line was ‘America’s Business Philosopher.’  For decades he nurtured the budding careers of people such as personal development guru Tony Robbins and the highly successful commercial photographer Anne Geddes.  Jim Rohn’s philosophies, many based on the New Testament, empowered audiences from Australia to Brazil to Singapore to the U.S.A.  Although the vast majority of his teachings were based on living a life of integrity, reaching beyond fear, hard work, sweat equity and faith; it was one thing he said, in a short moment one year, that has reverberated through my own walls of consciousness for years. 

            One particular year, Mr. Rohn was discussing the virtues of achieving success in the face of one’s detractors.  He likened it to the pleasure of driving your brand new sports car over the freshly manicured lawn of your greatest foe.  He said that ultimately what you say matters very little when in fact your success is the best revenge. 

            Many of us face critics.  When we are going for a new goal such as releasing weight, getting ahead in our career or business, or perhaps finding or enhancing a relationship the critics and cynics seem to descend upon us like a plague.  Oddly enough, the more effort we put into our desired goal, the more we tend to face those who would seemingly keep us stuck.  Our detractors tend to be people who are either jealous of our success or threatened by it.  Either way, dealing with these sometimes, supposed well-meaning people is neither joyful nor productive and that is why Jim Rohn’s teaching is so important; if we want to get revenge then we must become successful.

            Years ago, when Chris and I re-met, in Toronto we fell head over heels in love.  We had known one another in high school and had a long history of interconnection with both of our father’s also attending the same high school at the same time.  On our fated second date we moved in together and became an instant family as I was a single mother with a small daughter.

            At first some of Chris’s friends and family were not supportive.  They thought he could do better.  They supposed, quite openly, that we were just rebounding freshly out of broken relationships.  Some of our greatest critics were people we actually spent holidays with.  My own father was not entirely positive about Chris and I and despite our vocal protests and our open displays of affection we could not ‘win the crowd.’

            It is said that success is not measured with one single act.  For example an actor who wins an Academy Award is the best in that category, in that moment, however a string of poor movies can leave that same actor with the label of ‘washed up.’  An athlete who wins a gold medal at the Olympics is famous for that moment and one misstep, such as public drug use, can tarnish a career that was supposedly successful.  On the other hand, a person, who is consistent in their wins, their ethics and their efforts is deemed, over time, to be highly successful.

            Imagine how we would view legendary investor, Warren Buffet, if he had only had one good year of returns.  How would we view the success of a rock band such as U2 if they had only had one good song?  What would you think about someone who taught the skills of direct selling if they had only achieved one good month?  Success, the kind that can silence the worst detractors, is achieved over years and not in one simple victory.  The people who criticized my relationship with Chris are still out there, and sometimes at our dinner table, however after over a decade together they are starting to get the point.

            Another great example of success as revenge is the famed pastor Joel Osteen.  For years people told him that he would never make it.  They said that he wasn’t as talented as his late father, John Osteen.  People criticized his message as being too positive and too full of personal development and they even tried to prevent him from turning the Compaq Centre into a mega church in Houston.  Now, more than a decade later, Joel Osteen is a NY Times bestselling author, owns the Compaq Centre and between television viewers and live audiences preaches to millions of people every single week.  The success of Joel Osteen was not won on one singular sermon; it was achieved over years of consistent results.

            You see, in your life, there will always be detractors.  They will try to bring you down, keep you stuck and take you off of your path.  You may want to shout at them, fight with them or even cut them out of your life.  This is really too much wasted energy when the reality is that vengeance is sweet especially when you allow the success of your actions to do your fighting for you.  You do not have to ‘get in the ring’ with anyone.  Instead choose the path of compassion, feel sorry for people who have nothing better to do than criticize someone who is trying to get ahead.

            You are destined for greatness and do not allow anyone to tell you otherwise.  Your day will come when you can proverb ally ‘drive your car over the lawn’ of your greatest detractor and that day will be sweet.  Do not spend your time trying to get even or prove someone wrong, instead go for your dreams with passion and enthusiasm and know that your continued success will be all that it takes to silence some of your critics and perhaps even inspire them. 

Susan Sly is an author, speaker and trainer with a passion for helping people achieve 360 degree success.  Susan is available for conference calls and speaking engagements and is booking into 2011.  You can join Susan live at the Have It All Women’s Weekend.  Click here to find out more.