What statements have you made today about how successful you are in life?
Better yet what steps are you taking each day towards success?
Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.”
With that said, every day you and I make conscious decisions about what we want or don’t want in life.
First and foremost, I trust that all had a great Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday depending on your faith.
As I finished up my Lenten Journey this past Saturday night, many things could have been better with proper planning; however overall, it was a successful 2025 Lenten journey/season for me.
These past forty-plus days I’ve learned to acknowledge even more that when you acknowledge it is not about you or me it’s about the people God has placed in our path to help us succeed; then you will understand that we need people to hold our ladders.
In every step of my success along the way, I’ve always thanked God for those opportunities and continue to thank him this very day.
This is why I say it’s not about me it’s about HIM.
When you know who’s you are, and who you are, it makes a difference.
“Of this gospel, I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.” Ephesians 3:7
We need people to hold ladders to help us from falling and failing. They are also a source of encouragement along the way in seeing things differently.
I’ve learned over the years there is always a sense of preparation in climbing any ladder.
Do I have the proper footwear, and have I selected the right ladder for the right job with the intended outcome once I have selected it?
In life, you and I have various ladders we climb and hold each day toward success.
Just like ladders, the rungs on the ladder are important. We can choose to go higher and higher if we choose to move forward.
“Ladders are essential for many professions, from construction workers to firefighters to window cleaners. But have you ever stopped to think about what makes a ladder sturdy and reliable?”
What Is A Rung On A Ladder? (Significance of Ladder Rungs)
Most of you are probably not familiar with Sam Chand and all his books on ladders. I’ve read four of his books on ladders. “Who moved your ladder; Who’s holding your ladder; What’s shaking your ladder; and Ladder shift.”
I’m currently in the process of my fifth Sam Chand book which is “Ladder Leaders: The Team, The Task, The Transition.”
I won’t get into all the dynamics of each of these four books; however, we need ladders to climb to success.
There are so many takeaways from Sam Chand that every time I see a ladder I think about his books.
I’m sure when I finish reading “Ladder Leaders: The Team, The Task, The Transition” I will be as enlightened as I have from all the other books and have never been disappointed when I read his books.
I must tell you that by reading two books every month I deem that a success.
In addition, writing five things down each day to be grateful is another success I learned from the book Limitless by Jim Kwik.
Metaphorically speaking I use ladders for not only climbing but also reaching higher heights.
https://symbolgenie.com/symbolism-of-ladders/
“Metaphorically, ladders represent the journey of self-improvement and personal growth. They symbolize the steps we take to reach our goals, whether they are career aspirations, personal achievements, or spiritual enlightenment. Each rung on the ladder represents a milestone or achievement along the path to success.”
I also had an epiphany while writing this blog as it relates to the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Particularly the seventh habit of sharpening the Saw.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw is about taking time for self-renewal. It makes all of the other Habits possible. When you sharpen the saw, you preserve and enhance the greatest asset you have – yourself.
It’s that seventh habit when we make conscious decisions each day to do the things we love that can move us closer to our goals and our desires in life.
Last week I wrote about mastery, and I think about ladders, we must also know how to select the proper ladder for the job.
Asking a 12-year-old which ladder to select for example when painting a house is a different skill than those who do painting for a living.
Have you ever seen all the ladders that painters carry with them?
5 Best Painter’s Ladders (2025 Picks)
When you think about success what is it that you believe success is contingent upon-Risk, Luck, Fate?
I know that my success as a Cub Master for five years was contingent upon the leader’s various skills taught at Wood Badge. Which in turn was my preparation early in the program to think strategically.
Wood Badge | Boy Scouts of America
Having served in the military for 30 years it was all the professional development courses required for each rank. Ultimately, competition in the capstone course (United States Sergeants Major Academy) helped me be more effective and a better leader in assisting my commanders and field grade officers to accomplish their units’ missions as well as my own.
Luckily it was the same when I became a Government employee and all the courses I took as well. Namely the “Senior Leader Development Program a two-year program sending me to MIT, Harvard, and the Graduate School USA (Formerly the USDA Graduate School, USDA) which all my certificates read before 2021.)
Government Training Courses and Online Programs | Graduate School USA
Not to mention my bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in Electronics Systems Technologies and my master’s degree in education from Troy State.
Every ladder has had a purpose in my success over the years. I know that there was always someone metaphorically, trying to move my ladder; holding my ladder; shaking my ladder; and shifting my ladder in various stages of the process.
This is why all of Sam Chand’s books resonate with me so well.
Because each course I took was a rung on the ladder and it was the people who became my sponsors or supporters that helped me be the person I am today.
I forgot to mention that during the two years, I was part of the e “Senior Leader Development Program, I was mentored by a Senior Executive Service (SES) who monitored my progress. I also was required to submit trip reports on each training event.
It was there that I learned about all the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) that were incorporated into my training.
This was also part of my writing skills development for a different type of audience that was equivalent to a General Officer.
I am truly humbled by all the people who have held my ladder on my climb to success.
You should know that “The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity.” Ayn Rand
I’m forever grateful for my education and all the experiences that I have learned along the way.
Today, I challenge you to take some time this week to reflect and think about all those opportunities you’ve had in life. Think also about who’s been holding your ladder as you have climbed to success step by step learning lessons about yourself along the way.
