What Makes Successful People Successful – Part 2
Last month we looked at five strategies and mindsets that successful people have that help them lead the field in their chosen areas. As I mentioned last month, my personal definition of success is waking up every day and liking the things I must do that day. I never want to wake up and dread what I need to do that day. When Maria Shriver was asked what success was to her, she said it was being available and having the time to be the best daughter, mother, and spouse she could be. To put it in perspective her father, Sargent Shriver, started the Peace Corps and her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, started the Special Olympics. So, everyone’s definition of success is different. What is yours? What do you consider true success? Success Trait #6: They have an obsessive and constant pursuit of better There is an old Japanese term, Kaizen, that stands for Constant and Never-ending Improvement. They are constantly looking for new and better ways to do their jobs, achieve their goals, and make an impact. Author Darren Hardy teaches business owners to ask the bigger/easier question. How can we get bigger and do it easier? That thought process will get you to think, grow, and improve what you are doing to achieve better results, make more impact and do it with less effort. Success Trait #7: Steadfast consistency Successful people are incredibly consistent with their schedules, habits, and routines. In our martial arts schools we teach, “Habits we train are habits we gain.” Meaning, whatever habits you practice day in and day out will determine your level of success. Good habits are hard to develop and easy to live with while bad habits are easy to develop but hard to live with. Successful people are consistent with the hours they work, the days they read/study, and the days they exercise. Their daily routines are set in stone because they work and create great results. Success Trait #8: Power tribe Successful people are diligent about the company they keep. They make sure they are surrounded by people that are cooperative, positive, and supportive. There is no room for complainers, naysayers, and whiners with successful people. The late-great author, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones says, “You will be the same person in 5 years that you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” What he is saying is the people you surround yourself with have a big impact on your level of success. If you hang around with successful people, you will become more successful. If you hang around with people who watch the news 24/7 and complain about it, you will become that too. Napoleon Hill introduced the concept of Mastermind groups in his book “Think and Grow Rich”. This is when a group of like-minded people get together and brainstorm ways for them all to do better and be more successful. This is a Power Tribe. Success Trait #9: Consummate learners Successful people make learning and growing a top priority. They understand the saying, “When the tree stops growing, it begins to die”. They are ferocious readers. As the saying goes, “All great leaders are great readers.” They also learn and grow when other people are filling their minds with garbage. For example, many successful people I know turn their cars into a “university on wheels”. They listen to audio programs/audiobooks that instruct and inspire them. The average American drives 12,000 miles per year. Experts say that if you turn driving time into learning time, you will get the equivalent of two semesters in college every year. That means that every four years you would be earning another advanced college degree. Successful people do just that! Success Trait #10: Unshakeable resolve Successful people are unyielding in the pursuit of their goals and dreams. Of course, they deal with challenges and obstacles, but to them, it is simply part of the process of achievement. They don’t get discouraged, angry, or distracted. They keep their eye on the prize. They focus on their target goal and the vision they have created, and they keep moving forward. Like Rocky Balboa said, “It’s not how hard you hit. It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” So true! There you have it! The ten traits of the ultra-successful. I hope you enjoyed these two articles and got inspired to take action and make your dreams and goals come to fruition. |
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