Whether you're in business, a student, or employed by a business, you need to know what it takes to be a success.  Once you have "arrived" you'll get kudos from others, get a feeling of pride and enthusiasm, and you will likely enjoy financial rewards too.

 

What does it take to be a success?  Thinking of Superman, truth, justice and honour come to mind.  Or, ask a boy scout and you'll likely hear a quote from the oath "Be honest, brave, trustworthy, etc.  If you were asked to give advice on how to really become a success, what would be your advice?

 

Top minds have offered suggestions that include what to wear, how to speak, how to overcome failure and shortcomings, and how to survive in a workplace, public environment, or in a family.  Here are some tips from a father upon dropping his son at college.  This is information we should all have as a part of our operating manual and life instructions.

 

1. Be patient with everyone, especially those older than you. Avoid showing disrespect to your parents, other people's parent, and anyone's grandparents.

 

2. Know your own shortcomings. Before criticizing anyone's memory, handwriting, punctuality, or sense of humour, be sure yours are nearly perfect. It's easy to point out other people's foibles, but tougher to cure our own.

 

3. Never burn the bridges of a relationship or friendship. Forgive now, because you'll probably forget about it later anyway.

 

4. Know that you are not a bank. Loaning substantial amounts of money to a friend can result in an unpaid loan and a lost friend.

 

5. Be willing to do the things that most important people are not willing to do. Many a business owner in a fine suit has been seen picking up candy wrappers or soda cans in the parking lot of their office or shop. Why?  Because no one else did.

 

6. Be personal and real, even if you don't have to. Remembering names, birthdays, and taking time to care about people are keys to great men and women.

 

7. Be accepting of other people's success. Get used to the fact that many people will get promoted, awarded or complimented. Be careful of how you handle the people you meet on the way up the ladder because you'll meet them again on the way down.

 

8. Be benevolent. If you have a chance to be nice, do it. If you can be generous, do it. If you have to be tough, give the other person's pride a way out. Winners will notice your grace and everyone will admire your style.

 

9. Dress for success and to impress. Whatever your customers or co-workers expect, give them that, and a pinch more. Your pride and posture will be enhanced by attention to details.

 

10. Do as much business by phone or email as you can, and save your meeting time for important issues or emergencies.  Wasting time over coffee, needless meals, or distracted meetings will cut your productivity and your fun factor.

 

11. The more success you have, the more decisions you'll make. When you make bad decisions, accept responsibility for your mistakes and failures. Boldly admitting your mistakes is the easiest way to be respected.

 

12. When the going gets tough, don't get going. Stay put.  If you jump around at the first obstacle or delay, you will appear to be unstable. Stick it out as long as you can, and give yourself a chance to succeed.

 

13. Expect to work hard for everything you get. Learn to put in long hours and to get very few easy wins along the way. When you are given a bonus, a gift or a promotion you earned, celebrate it!

 

14. Breathe. Take big breaths when you find yourself stressed, tired, or dealing with a headache. Whatever is bothering you will pass. Remember, there are billions of people in the world who don't even know you exist!

 

15. Have fun!  Success is a journey, not an event. Hopefully your journey won't be uphill both ways. Keep smiling as you build whatever you do!

 

 

 

 

The ancient origins of Halloween grew from a Celtic festival called Samhain (sow-in). The Celts believed  that on October 31, the night before the start of the New Year, that the boundaries between the dead and the living became blurred and that the god of the dead returned to earth accompanied by ghosts and goblins.

To mark the event, they built large bonfires and made animal and crop sacrifices in an attempt to please the god. At the end of the evening, each took a torch lit with the flames from the bonfire home to light their hearth fires to protect them during the winter months. The Celts were also responsible for the concept of costuming as they often dressed as animals and wore masks around the bonfire to appease the god of the dead. Later people began to disguise themselves from the ghosts and goblins that roamed on Hallow's Eve.

 

In later years, the Christian influence led to the change to All Hallows Eve with November 1 being a day of observance called All Hallows Day or All Saints Day. It is on this day where saints, martyrs and those who have passed before us are honoured. 

 

The modern tradition of trick or treating emerged from the All Soul's Day parades from England's early times.  During the parades, poor citizens would beg for food and families would hand out "soul cakes" in exchange or prayers for dead relatives.  Later, children would simply go house to house looking for food, money and ale.  Refusal to provide something would result in the descendance of evil spirits on the home.