Mantras for success? An infinite number of writers must already have given an infinite numbers of mantras for success, but I think "mantras for success" is less about the "mantras" and more about "success" itself. Before understanding the mantras, if any, it is imperative that one must try to learn about success. Unless one understands what success is, what it can be and what it should be, it seems pretty useless to blindly follow some tips or tricks to achieve it. It is like following whatever detour signs one comes across, not caring to know where he/she is headed.
Success is neither definite nor objective, and for that matter it may not be possible to even describe it. But what matters is that one must have a concrete idea in in mind about the success he/she wants to achieve. To get long term or short term success, it is very important to define it, or at least try to define it. It has to be something which makes life complete, on a psychological level. And it can be anything. For some, attaining peace of mind may mean success. For some, earning money can be very mentally satisfying. in such a case too, one must have a plan about how much money does he/she want. if one fails to set a clear objective with regard to material gains, he is likely to fall victim to a cycle of gain and greed.
Taking this idea further, it becomes obvious not to be over-influenced by others in our process of defining success. In a sense it may compromise our independence. We must have, if not complete, some reasonable amount of control over our judgement and opinions. It should be independent of other people's opinions and pressures. Others' thinking has to be kept in mind, but the final decision must be ours. In any matter whatsoever.
Sometimes more dominant people try, and are able to affect our actions indirectly by influencing the way we think, and what we think, and we tend to follow these pseudo-opinions, often attempting to associate ourselves with them, and in quest for recognition and identity. We stop using our intellect and block our minds. We don't use our intelligence to judge people and analyse situations. In this process we lose our credibility to other people, as they realize that you do not act as an individual, but as a puppet.
One solution can be that we must remain honest to ourselves. In whatever we do, say and think, we must be convinced that its correct. Not necessarily correct for everyone, but at least according to ourselves. Listen to everyone, but take your own decisions. Till we are honest to ourselves, no one can challenge us. Even if we do not have arguments to support our will, we have the confidence of our honesty and the peace of mind that comes with it.
In the end, everything boils down to the fact that whether a person is aware of what he/she wants in life. Everyone claims to know it, but it is not so simple as it might seem. Most people do not understand what will make them happy, and those who understand it generally have their minds polluted by the external influences. Success cannot be defined fully, and maybe it should not be, but there must be a constant effort to understand what we want for success, while trying everything we can do to achieve it. Success is something which must come from inside, not from some mantras formulated by "success gurus". As it is said, instead of knowing the tricks of the trade, know the trade. Know success, and the mantras lose significance.
