Copy Right -Understanding the art of learning from others -Part 13

Copy the action, not the result.

Have you ever thought of what makes people who they are? What do you think might be responsible for some of the traits you see in people? What are the factors that delivered the achievements you desire in others? Do you know why two people with the same opportunities end up with different results? It is what we choose to do and by implication what we have refused to do.

Everyone is a product of their actions. We are what we are today because of what we did or did not do yesterday. A Doctor today, was a student that chose a particular path of study, a specific career path and willingly subjecting to the disciplines required till the dream came to reality. Everybody could be a Doctor, or at least everyone has that potential, but why is everyone not a Doctor? It is simple. It is because the others have chosen a different path that leads to something else.

Doctors have some privileges. They have uniforms and some other essentials peculiar to the profession like stethoscope. All these are as a result of the individual’s actions that had led to being a qualified medical professional. It will not be relevant to another professional in a different discipline. There are some which are necessities for the job, which helps them do what they have trained to do. There are some others, which are privileges they enjoy because of what they do to those affected by their service. When medical students qualify as medical doctors, they are allowed to place the title ‘Dr.’ before their names. They have uniforms, accessories, amongst others, related to their job. It is the result of the process followed. The individual is a Doctor, so he is entitled to those things, and anyone that follows the same path could enjoy the same.

The result is not the action. If you want the same, you have to follow the same process. You could copy the dress code, but that does not make you a Doctor, only following the same path does. Can you imagine someone using the prefix Dr before his/her name, wearing the same uniform with a stethoscope around the neck? It is possible, but that does not make him/her a Doctor, it is self-deceit. You cannot copy the result and be genuine. You can only follow the process to get the results. You should not copy the uniforms, but rather copy the actions that led to the results to get the same outcome.

Some people buy the same brands like some rich people, even though they cannot afford it without borrowing. They hope that they will get the same level of honour and influence by copying their results and ignoring the actions that led to it. If you buy the same car as the rich, it does not make you rich. If you wear the same wristwatch as the King, that does not make you influential. Wearing a well-designed wig does not make you a lawyer. An expensive stethoscope around your neck does not make you a doctor. Drinking tea in a hotel lounge with a suit and tie does not make you a CEO. What makes you one is doing the actions and following the same process.

A lot of people are only attracted by the result and ignore the actions. Some have a good knowledge of the required steps to get to where they desire to be, but have had so many excuses of not following that path, but rather prefer to continue wasting their time posing with the results with no evidence to show. They say; ‘you can fake it till you make it’, instead of saying; if you want to get what he got, do what he did.

Many people that have achieved their goals have many things in common. If you study some, you will find out that there are similarities in every success story. If you also want to join that company of fulfilled people, you must be determined to do the same concerning your goals and assignment. There is a price to pay, there is time to be invested, there are things to be denied, there is a lifestyle that you have to conform to, there is a change that will be required. If what you are doing is not getting you closer to what you desire, it may be a clue that you are doing something wrong. Find out and be willing to make the change.

Can you put in the same hours like some of the athletes? Can you work as hard as some of the CEOs? Can you exercise the same level of discipline as some of those leaders? Can you deny yourself like some of those inventors? Can you be as focused as some of those pacesetters? Can you endure pain like some of those entrepreneurs? Can you be as selfless as that spouse? Can you be as dedicated as that first class student? Can you be as loving as those parents? Can you accept loss like some of those organisations? Can you withstand such discipline like some of the military personnel? They enjoy the benefits of what they have done; you can also benefit from the same if you are willing to do likewise.

Many people do not realise that many fulfilled goals were as a result of the willingness to do more than was required. It is often tough choices. The choice to swim against the current; willing to do what others do not want to do, willing to sacrifice, and happy to keep to their values even when it hurts. It is hard work. It is the price the successful are willing to pay.

It is good practice to ask yourself the following questions when you see the results of others; What has he/she done before now? Which path has he/she taken? How did he/she arrive at this destination or become what he/she is today? What is his/her history? Can I do the same? If you can follow the action, you get the same outcome.

You will always find out that the outcome was due to an input that someone was willing to do and a price someone was happy to pay. Instead of faking it, try to understand what they have done to get to where they are and be willing to pay the price to do the same if you desire the same result. Be careful to follow the actions and process and not copy the results in self-deceit.

To be continued next week, don’t miss it.

I hope you have found this post valuable, please leave a comment below and share with others. Send in your questions or contributions as well if you have any, I will be glad to hear from you.

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