It is said that our life is the sum result of all the choices we make, both consciously and unconsciously. If we make the right choices at different stages of life we can take control of all aspects of our life. We can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of ourself. But what are those areas and stages that are critical to ensure success in our ventures when we have or are about to embark in practical life. That can be summed up in the following TEST. 
 

Talents can be acquired or natural endowment can be sharpened and polished with education, training, persistence and practice.  Eric Hoffer US philosopher in his book “Passionate State of Mind” writes

“We are told that talent creates its own opportunities. But it sometimes seems that intense desire creates not only its own opportunities, but its own talents.”

Henri-Frédéric Amiel , Swiss philosopher was quite right in writing that; 
‘To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. 
To do what is impossible for talent is the mark of genius.’

And I would like to add, “To get some one who can do the job for you that you yourself cannot do is the mark of entrepreneurship.”

Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.
Leadership quality determines how efficiently you get the job done by your team. 

Enthusiasm
As Charles Schwab wrote a man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm. And Og Mandino says, “ Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no mater how frightening or difficult, a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity but with it you can accomplish miracles. 

Enthusiasm is not merely great excitement or interest in something you do or want to do but it is 'enjoying wholeheartedly what you do without any apprehension for the outcome.

SKILL
Skill is that proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience and practice. There is an old saying that practice makes the man perfect. But there is a difference between Skill, Excellence and Perfection. While we should continually strive to be better than the competitors and to satisfy our clients, we should not become obsessed with the ideals. Logan Smith says something like this: "The indefatigable pursuit of an unattainable perfection—even though nothing more than the pounding of an old piano—is what alone gives a meaning to our life on this unavailing star." __Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946)

And Shakespear was quite right in saying:
"Striving to better, oft we mar what’s well".
We must always remember what the bible say, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”_Hebrew Bible. Ecclesiastes 9:11.

TEMPERAMENT
As William Hazlitt describes, “We are the creatures of imagination, passion, and self-will, more than of reason or even of self-interest. … Even in the common transactions and daily intercourse of life, we are governed by whim, caprice, prejudice, or accident. The falling of a teacup puts us out of temper for the day; and a quarrel that commenced about the pattern of a gown may end only with our lives.”
That was written several decades ago. But modern science show that Self-control comes in limited quantities, must be replenished. Self-control, whether used to pass up the office cookie plate or to struggle against temptations like alcohol and tobacco, operates like a renewable energy source rather than a learned skill or an analytical thought process, according to new research. According to Roy F. Baumeister, Ph.D., of Florida State University.” Individuals had less physical stamina and impulse control and increased difficulty with problem-solving activities after completing a variety of tasks that required some measure of self-control “

Scientists have developed Self-control exercises, like food diaries or efforts to regulate emotions, may help build the "strength" of self-control over the long run, although these findings are still preliminary. But the easiest way is to offer prayers and try to conform to the guidance provided by the Holy Scriptures.

As Napoleon Hill  points out "Your mental attitude gives your entire personality   a drawing power that attracts the circumstances,  things and people you think about most!  And William James says, " The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human  being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind!   Having the right attitude is one of the basics that success requires. The combination of a sound personal philosophy, positive and healthy outlook and a positive attitude about ourselves and the world 
around us gives us an inner strength and a firm resolve that influences all the other areas of our life.

In their book "Change Your Attitude"  Tom Bay, Ph.D. and David Macpherson say, " People with the "right" attitude have a consistently positive outlook about life, about their jobs, about what they're doing.  They are constantly looking for results and taking responsibility. People who have the RIGHT attitude take responsibility for their lives.
 

Shah Nawaz Khan, A.C.I.I. (Associate of Chartered Insurance Institute, London) retired as General Manager and Executive Director of State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan after 30 years service and now works as Marketing Consultant and publishes electronic newsletters. You can subscribe free to Managers Weekly eDigest and Weekly Fraternity Briefs. For details http://www.netvert.biz/shah