A Formula for Success

Listen to this Blog Post:

I was watching the TV show, FBI International, Season 4, Episode 14, and I heard one of the characters, said this with respect to sniper training and shooting at someone at about timestamp 5:30 into the episode:

“Patience + Persistence + Timing + Opportunity = Then and only then do you fire.” – Cameron Vo – Fictional Character – FBI International TV Show

Even though you are not a sniper, you and are not going to shoot someone, can this formula be adapted for you to use to take a “shot” a something in your own life?

Can you use this formula taking a “shot” at success in your own life?

Or is it just part of a script on a TV show?

We all want success. Whether it’s in our careers, relationships, or personal goals, we’re constantly searching for that magic formula that gets us from where we are to where we want to be.

Consider this modified formula for achieving success in your own life:

“Patience + Persistence + Timing + Opportunity = Success”

Stephen Lesavich, PhD

Even if math is not your thing, you can use this equation to achieve success in your life.

Let’s examine each part of this success equation in detail.

1. Patience: Trusting the Process

Patience is more than just waiting. It’s about trusting that the seeds you’re planting today will eventually grow. In a world of instant gratification, patience reminds us that good things take time.

When we rush, we risk missing crucial lessons and growth. Patience gives you the space to learn, adapt, and improve.

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait — it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” — Joyce Meyer – American Author and Speaker

2. Persistence: The Fuel that Drives You Forward

If patience is trusting the process, persistence is staying committed to it. Success requires us to show up every day, even when results aren’t immediate.

Think of persistence as the daily effort, the repeated attempts, the resilience to get up after failure, and the refusal to give up.

“Persistence is showing up for your dreams — even when no one is watching” – Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States. 

3. Timing: When the Moment is Right

You can do all the right things, but if your timing is off, you might miss the mark. Timing is the invisible force that can make or break your success.

It’s about knowing when to act, when to pause, and when to time your pivot to another direction. Great opportunities often appear when preparation meets the perfect moment.

“Timing, perseverance, and ten years of trying will eventually make you look like an overnight success.” — Biz Stone – Cofounder of Twitter/X

4. Opportunity: The Doorway to Success

Success doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Opportunities are the moments when life presents with you a door and it’s up to you to walk through it.

But here’s the secret: the more patient, persistent, and prepared you are, the more opportunities you’ll recognize and be ready to seize.

“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” — Ann Landers – American Newspaper Advice Columnist

Adding It All Up:

Here is the math thing once again.

So, when you combine:
1. Patience, to trust the journey,
2. Persistence, to keep moving forward,
3. Timing, to act when it counts, and
4. Opportunity, to take action when the moment arrives…

You create a powerful formula that leads to real, lasting Success:

Patience + Persistence + Timing + Opportunity = Success

Remember, success isn’t about luck, intersections or shortcuts — it’s about aligning these four essential elements in your life to achieve success.

So if you’re working toward something big right now, remember this formula.

Stay patient, stay persistent, watch for timing, and be ready when opportunity knocks so you can create a positive impact element of success in your own life.

Out There on the Edge of Everything®…

Stephen Lesavich, PhD

Copyright © 2025 by Stephen Lesavich, PhD.  All rights reserved.

Certified solution-focused life coach and experienced business coach.

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