How to be Successful

by John Stumpner

You may have noticed we talk a lot about people that do great things in life. You may be wondering why we always teach about the successes of others, thinking that “no way will I be able to do that.” Or, in looking at the people that were the first to do something, that “that’s already been done, what can I do?”

Copying the successes of others can be a good way to be successful yourself. Copying others for the sake of copying and recognition will only make you a poor second though. Dave Zien was the first to put a million miles on his motorcycle, the next person that does that, will only be someone else that rode really far. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try, if that’s your thing, just don’t expect the fame that comes with being the first.

Many successful and famous people did not set out to become famous. Louis and Temple Abernathy were not trying to become famous, yet they became minor celebrities in the early 1900’s for their long-distance riding adventures. Compare that to the various “influencers” and social media “stars” of today, who keep pulling dangerous or more ridiculous stunts in their desperate and disgraceful attempts to become famous.

Most successful and famous people got that way by doing things they wanted to do. Burt Munro wanted to see how fast he could make his motorcycle go. Even though he did not have a lot of money or big sponsors, he just kept working away at what he liked to do. He eventually set speed records that still stand to this day.

To be successful, one must train and practice their skills. Brandy Richards, one of the most successful female motocross riders in the world, has to spend hours and hours practicing riding and working on her bike. When you are practicing a skill, days will come when you don’t feel like training. Those are the days when you really have to work extra hard at your skill. Any break in a training routine makes it easier to skip training the next time and eventually, you quit practicing your skill altogether.

When setting out to do something, do not be stopped by the chance of failure. Gussie and Addie Van Buren set out on a cross country motorcycle trip in 1916, with the goal of proving that women could work as motorcycle dispatch riders for the Army. Even though they easily completed the long and hazardous trip, it would be almost 40 years later before the Army would hire a woman, Bessie Stringfield, to be a dispatch rider.

Fortunately, here in Wisconsin and, in the United States in general, we have the freedom to do or become anything we want. Our freedoms, which ABATE of Wisconsin help to protect, mean that we can be successful at the things we love doing.

 John