Yesterday, as I was flicking through the Scotsman newspaper, four words made me sit up and rub my eyes in disbelief.

International news, culture, classifieds, sport, a-ha, business news: Dana Petroleum, ordinary 813.5p

I nearly choked on my cornflakes.

So what? you might be thinking This is meant to be an article about success. If Id wanted to read about share prices, I would have bought the Financial Times!

Okay, it might appear to be totally unconnected with success, in the same way that nail extensions have nothing to do with bog snorkelling.

But youd be wrong! Because Im about to reveal the cruellest lesson of success.

Just five years earlier, Id managed to get my hands on 7500 Dana shares at just 14.5p each. 14.5 pence! And now they were changing hands at more than eight quid a time!

Great! But I wasnt in a celebratory mood, because Id sold my shares for virtually the same price three years earlierjust before the price of oil started to rocket.

Talk about missed chances!

You can do the maths yourself, but I reckon that Ive missed out on a sixty grand bonanza.

Id done everything correctly. Id done all my homework, I knew it was a well run company with great potential, but Id overlooked the vital ingredient of success Perseverance.

Id had the shares nearly two years, and the price hadnt moved so I sold them. And because I was a teensy-weensy bit impatient, I missed out on the success.

Now before you think Im looking for sympathy, nothing could be further from the truth. Okay, I might have thought what if? a few times, but that experience has taught me a lesson worth far more than sixty thousand pounds.

Success isnt always instant. Sometimes you have to keep going until you achieve the fruits of your labour.

Successful people, true champions, never give up. They have confidence in their ability and they keep going until they achieve the success that they desire.

Lets face it, when Tiger Woods drives a shot to within twelve foot of the pin, he doesnt put his golf ball back in his bag just because his approach shot wasnt good enough!

He doesnt cover 400 yards, just to give up twelve feet from success.

Of course not!

All his efforts are focused on continuing his round and playing the next shot as well as he can. Thats the only way he can keep moving towards the success that he desires.

Perseverance is VITAL if you want to achieve anything worthwhile. Its your insurance policy in case success isnt instant.

Think about your life. How often have you put in all the work, but given up too early and missed out on the reward?

And how did that make you feel? (No answer necessary)

So from now on, if you want to become more successful, and avoid thoughts of what if?, heres what I suggest;

Number One: Do your homework

Whether its golf, share dealing or even bog snorkelling for that matter, give it 100% effort. Learn everything you can about your subject and prepare diligently. Aim to be the best that you can. That will give you the confidence to take the next step.

Number Two: Trust your judgement

Youve done all the ground work. Youre moving towards success, but things arent going as well as expected (and share prices are drifting sideways).

Youve got a difficult decision to make. Do you trust your judgement and push on towards success, or do you doubt your abilities and throw in your hand?

This is where preparation is vital. The more groundwork you put in, the more youll be able to trust your judgement and keep going.

If you dont have confidence in yourself or your abilities, the chances are youll quit just before you become successful. And thats worse than not trying in the first place. After all, the well known saying is quit while youre ahead and not quit before youre ahead.

Persistence is all powerful. You will become successful, provided you put in the effort, trust your instincts and keep going.

Best Wishes

Stuart

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