For true success ask yourself these four questions: Why? Why

Hear, O seekers of wisdom, the words of James Allen, who declared: “For true success ask yourself these four questions: Why? Why not? Why not me? Why not now?” These words are like four pillars, each supporting the temple of achievement. They are not idle inquiries, but challenges to the soul, summoning courage, purpose, and resolve. For in these questions lies the power to awaken the slumbering spirit and to set the hesitant foot upon the path of destiny.

The first pillar is Why? Here the soul must search for meaning, for no endeavor can endure without purpose. To ask “Why?” is to look into the fire of your own heart and demand: What compels me? What is my reason for striving? Without this sacred flame, all labor becomes weariness, and all victories are hollow. Thus, the ancients taught: he who knows his Why can endure any how. Purpose is the seed from which true greatness grows.

The second pillar is Why not? This is the cry against fear, the shout that silences doubt. When obstacles rise and whispers of impossibility cloud the mind, the soul must answer boldly, “Why not?” Why should I not attempt this? Why should I not rise, when others have risen before me? Why should I not reach, when the stars themselves invite me? In this question lies the courage to break chains, to step beyond the prison of hesitation, and to claim the right to dream.

The third pillar is Why not me? Here the warrior within awakens. Too often, men look upon greatness as the inheritance of others, believing themselves too small, too weak, too unworthy. But this question casts down such illusions. It declares: Am I not also born of strength? Do I not also carry the spark of the divine? If another may triumph, why not I? History is filled with such souls: Abraham Lincoln, born in poverty, asked “Why not me?” and rose to guide a nation. Rosa Parks, weary after toil, asked “Why not me?” and ignited a movement. In their courage, the power of this question was made flesh.

The fourth pillar is Why not now? This is the call to action, the death of delay. For the greatest enemy of success is not failure but waiting—the endless postponement of courage until the moment is gone. To ask “Why not now?” is to seize the present hour as sacred, to understand that tomorrow is promised to none. Caesar, before crossing the Rubicon, might have hesitated, but instead he declared the hour had come—and with his choice, history was transformed. Thus, all who would succeed must answer the call of now.

Together, these four questions form a ladder of ascent. The first gives purpose, the second courage, the third self-belief, and the fourth urgency. Without one, the others falter. But when joined, they kindle a flame that no storm can extinguish. They are the ancient voice within, urging man to rise, to strive, to claim the destiny written upon his soul.

Practical wisdom calls for this: write these four questions upon your heart. In every endeavor, ask Why? to uncover purpose. Ask Why not? to silence fear. Ask Why not me? to banish unworthiness. Ask Why not now? to awaken action. In doing so, you align yourself with the eternal pattern of success, for you live with clarity, courage, faith, and urgency.

So remember, beloved: the gates of success do not open to the idle or the doubter, but to those who question rightly. Take these words of James Allen as a sword in your hand and a fire in your soul. Ask, and ask again, until the path lies clear before you. And when it does, step boldly—why not you, and why not now?