Without hard work you have learned that you will never succeed. So also, without patience. Yet one may work diligently and be more patient than Jacob and still never rise above mediocrity unless plans are drawn and goals established.
     No ship ever lifted anchor and set sail without a destination. No army ever marched off to battle without a plan for victory. No olive tree ever displayed its flower without promise of the fruit to come.
     It is  impossible to advance properly in life without goals.
     Life is a game with few players and many spectators. Those who watch are the hordes who wander through life with no dreams, no goals, no plans even for tomorrow. Do not pity them. They made their choice when they made no choice. To watch the races from the stands is safe. Who can stumble, who can fall, who can be jeered if they make no effort to participate?
     Art thou a player? As a player ye cannot lose. Those who win may carry off the fruits of victory and yet those who are defeated today, have learned valuable lessons that may turn the tide for them tomorrow.
     What do you want of your life? Consider long and well before you decide, for you may attain what you seek. Is it wealth, power, a loving home, peace of mind, land, respect, position?  Whatever your goals maybe, fix them in your mind and never let loose. Understand that even these may not be sufficient, for life is unfair. Not all who work hard and patiently and have goals will achieve success. Without any of these three ingredients, however, failure is a certainty.
     Give yourself every chance to succeed. And if you fail, fail trying!
     Draw up your plans today. Ask yourself where you will be, a year from today, if you are still doing the things you are doing now. Then decide where you would prefer to be in terms of wealth or position or whatever your dreams may be. Next, plan what you must do, in the next twelve months, to reach your goal.
     And finally, do it!