Secrets to Success Deborah Cole Micek and John-Paul Micek

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Do you have what it takes for success?

Vince Lombardi once said, "The new leadership is in sacrifice, is in self-denial. It is in love, it is in fearlessness. It is in humility and it is in perfectly disciplined will. This is also the distinction between great men and little men."

And may I take the liberty to add: This is also the distinction between great women and little women.

This is also the distinction between great success and little success.

Are you this type of leader? Or do you believe that leadership should without making any sacrifices? Or, heaven forbid, we use the word "self-denial" these days when "self-importance" is all the rage in Hollywood circles.

What are your thoughts on these two concepts? Do you dare share? Or will you remain silent, like millions of others?

Here are several more quotes that will not be quoted by the politically-correct Hollywood. Vince Lombardi talked about success in a way that not many would dare to talk about these days.

He described the character of success as follows:

"Mental toughness is many things and rather difficult to explain. Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial. Also, more importantly, it is combined with a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in. It's a state of mind -- you could call it character in action."

GASP!

Did he really say this generation's voodoo words? Sacrifice? Self-denial? Do people even know what that is these days? Or are they all caught up in the four-hour work week, being lured into thinking that they can actually achieve mega success without a little (do I dare say it?) pain and suffering?

A little bit of effort -- a little bit of sweat -- a little bit of sleepless nights to pursue a noble calling...

"I've never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline. There is something good in men that really yearns for discipline."

I'd like to add to Lombardi's thoughts that I haven't met one woman whose heart, soul, and mind were destined for real success who wasn't willing to sacrifice and put in long hours in order to do what it takes to achieve her dreams and pursue a noble calling.

Ken Iman said about Vincent Lombardi:

"(Vince) told us, 'The Good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything. It's your mind you have to convince.'"

The best thing about sweating it out is how great you feel after you push yourself past your limits and achieve something that others thought was impossible.

What are you willing or not willing to do to achieve success?