Let’s be clear; nothing ‘just’ happens. Whether you’re operating in a conscious state or not, achieving success in any facet of your life takes a pattern of thinking, feeling and acting that delivers the desired outcome.
Once you become conscious and deliberate about developing, practising and applying your formula for success, you can replicate it using five success secrets. Mastering these five secrets will make 2020 your best year ever.
#1 Define what success means to you
Success is such an emotive word, which we each define differently. Success for one person could be at opposite ends of the scale for the next. What does success mean to you professionally? What does success mean to you personally?
Think about why you get out of bed in the morning. What makes you excited about the day ahead? Why do you care? What difference do you make? Who cares about you? Think about these things, and you begin to raise your conscious awareness of your motivational drivers, which in turn will help unlock your ‘Why?’ and ultimately your definition of success.
When you are clear about what success means to you, both personally and professionally, you can pinpoint your goals, fully aware of the tensions and trade-offs you’re making.
So, why is this so important…?
It’s because every person experiences important moments in their lives, but there is one that stands out above all others: it’s the moment you change from someone drifting through life to someone with real purpose.
Having a compelling ‘Why?’, a clear definition of success and reason for being, infuses your life with purpose and meaning.
The ‘Why?’ is your North Star, your anchor point, and, if it is compelling and strong enough, you’ll figure out the what and the how.
#2: Create your success formula
Defining what success means to you is only the first secret. Now comes the real work – turning your definition of success into reality. And to do that you need to create success formulas.
The great news is that we all have areas of our lives where we already apply success formulas. Perhaps you don’t describe or think about them as formulas; you may call them plans, routines, systems, rituals, regimens or just ‘the way you do it’. But if you’re repeating something regularly in the same way because you know it gets you the result you want, that’s a success formula.
To help you in the creation and application of your success formulas firstly define ‘success’ or the goal that you want to achieve; then create a strategy, a success formula, a game plan for how you’re going to turn your defined success or goal into reality. Next step is about taking massive action, aligned to your strategy. Finally, review it regularly. This is the step that ultimately plagues most people and the principal reason why a success formula will fail.
You might be thinking that this is an overly simplistic model and way of looking at things. However, its power is in its simplicity. As human beings, we have an innate ability to over-engineer and complicate life.
#3 Success modelling to fast-track your timeline
You don’t need to be an expert in everything. You can fast- track your success by learning from the experts.
We all know successful people who have achieved great things, but you may be surprised to discover how willing they often are to share their success, if only they were asked to do so. Bill Gates once said that he is amazed by how many people ask him for a million dollars and dismayed by how few people ask him for advice on how to make a million of their own.
#4: Develop your success disciplines
Warren Buffett, considered one of the most successful investors in the world, was speaking with Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, at Harvard Business School. They were addressing students of the final graduating year, who were just about to start their careers. During the Q&A session at the end, a student asked: ‘Mr Buffett, if there was one final thought you could share with us as we head into the world of work and start our careers, what would it be?’ This was a great question, and Buffett’s response was, ‘Get your habits right while you’re young, because once embedded they will serve you in creating a compelling future.’
This was an insightful response, particularly the words ‘because once embedded’. This is the difference that makes the difference. Consistency over time that, in turn, leads to habit.
#5: Hone your success habits
There is a saying, ‘There are no crowds lining the extra mile’. Masters of their craft, whatever their specialist field of endeavour, are part of a select group of leaders who live by this saying.
Why? Because the extra mile is where they spend most of their time. They don’t subscribe to the tribe of life, the herd mentality. For them, a life of mediocrity is not an option. Instead, they invest their time every day in being the best of the best, raising their standards and chasing perfection. Even though perfection isn’t truly attainable, they know that by going the extra mile, they may catch excellence on the journey.
About the author: Royston Guest is a leading authority on growing businesses and unlocking people potential. Entrepreneur, author of #1 best-seller Built to Grow and RISE: Start living the life you were meant to lead, CEO of Pathways Global and founder of The Business Growth Pathway™ and Pti Worldwide.