What YouTube Teaches About Success

YouTube is an undeniably awesome website. Whether you enjoy listening to music, figuring out how to do something new, or simply watching a funny video, it’s hard to not love YouTube. YouTube is a really great website, and its video player can teach us some things about success in life. If you’re wanting to be more successful, then let’s dive in and find out what YouTube can teach us about success.

Mute/Volume Controls

The YouTube video player offers mute and volume controls. This lets you be in control of how loud you want things to be. Maybe you’re listening to a video and you need to hear someone else talk, you are able to turn the volume down. Perhaps you don’t want to hear your brother practicing his squeaky saxophone loudly, so you turn the volume up. YouTube lets you be in control of what you hear.

In life the same is true. You can control what you hear. If you hear something that is contrary to God’s word, you have the opportunity to turn the volume down on that voice. You can choose to walk away and not spend time thinking about those words.

If you run into a situation where you find someone or something that is encouraging you in your faith and walk with God, turn up the volume on that person.

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you–and even more. – Mark 4:24 (NIV)

You are in control of what you hear and who you let speak into your life. Choose wisely the voices you listen to. If you need to mute the voices of certain friends, TV shows, or websites then do it. To be a success in life, you’ve got to be selective about what you hear.

[Tweet “Successful people pay attention to who they allow to speak into their lives – @studentdevos”]

Full Screen/Default View

YouTube has a fullscreen button and it’s great. You can hit it and see a video play larger. Sometimes it’s nice to watch a video bigger to get the full effect.

To be successful in life, you’ve got to do the same thing. You’ve got to choose how big you’re going to make situations and circumstances. Sometimes, it’s easy to maximize the wrong things. If you focus on something someone did to you, it can often make you upset and unhappy. Instead, choose to forgive those people who did you wrong and put that situation into proper perspective. Choose to keep those situations small and maximize situations and thoughts that bring you peace.

[Tweet “True peace occurs when you put the right things into focus in your life – @studentdevos”]

If you continually focus your attention on things people did or didn’t do to you, you’ll always be upset. Instead, choose to put the right things full screen in your life. Choose to focus on the good things that are happening around you instead of the bad. Choose to be thankful for the blessings in your life instead of only seeing the bad things. Know that God is good and working on your behalf, so don’t make the mistake of putting the wrong things full screen in your life.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:7 (ESV)

Choose to guard your heart and allow peace to be in your heart by not allowing the wrong things to be full screen in your life

Next Button

The next button on YouTube is so nice. When you hit a video that isn’t what you wanted, or it’s getting a little boring, you can click next. The next video then begins to play.

In life, you’ve got to know when to hit next. There are going to be thoughts that come into your head that aren’t godly. You’ve got to know when to hit next on the patterns of thinking that aren’t positive and peaceful. Instead of spending lots of time dwelling on thoughts that aren’t of God, choose to hit next when negative thoughts come.

Don’t spend time dwelling on those thoughts, but choose to go to the next one. Choose to think thoughts that are full of life and peace. Choose to think thoughts that are based in God’s word and what He says about you.

Learn more about the power of your thoughts.

[Tweet “There’s power in thinking godly thoughts – @studentdevos”]

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Phil 4:8 (ESV)

Your Habits Matter

There are lots of things that determine success in life, but one thing is certain your habits matter. The patterns of thinking you develop when you’re young will determine how far and how quickly you get to your dreams in life.

Choose to put some effort into developing good habits in your thinking and attitudes toward others. If you can develop positive patterns in your thinking you’ll go a lot farther than the people who haven’t put in the effort to develop those things.

Learn more about unlocking your potential.

So the next time you’re watching those funny videos on YouTube, take a look at the player controls and think about how they can teach you about success. Choose to put into practice habits that will propel you toward your dreams!