Successful People Find Wins Every Day!

Corporate life isn’t for everyone. It’s filled with the highs and lows that come with riding the rollercoaster of a business’s lifecycle.

Keeping your career motor running takes more than just tenacity; it takes a sense of purpose.

That sense of purpose is often aided by feelings of accomplishment, so find something every day that you can chalk up as a win, no matter how small.

Even one small win matters, a lot!

With the wins piling up, you’ll constantly have momentum heading into the next day, creating yet another opportunity to keep getting things done.

Successful People Focus On “Core” and Delegate “Peripherals”!

Being an entrepreneur, or a corporate employee with an entrepreneurial attitude, means taking responsibility for the direction and outcome of your company. But that level of attention isn’t required for every business activity occurring on a daily basis.

Recognizing which ones require your full attention is key to making sure big initiatives with material benefits are prioritized.

Delegate to junior employees, or hire freelancers for other significant, but less important projects.

Delegation and freelancers use can be a cost-effective and time-effective solution for peripheral elements of your business’s workload.

Successful People Simplify Things!

The best way to make headway as an entrepreneur, or a corporate employee with an entrepreneurial attitude, is to approach problems or opportunities with an eye towards simplifying everything about it for your audience.

The easier an explanation or solution is to test; the easier it is to move on to the next possible solution or scale.

Successful People Don’t Fall into the Analysis-Paralysis Trap!

As an entrepreneur, or a corporate employee with an entrepreneurial attitude, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking every decision matters!

Over-thinking, and the decision-making process itself, can lead to fatigue; resulting in…poor decision-making!

Recognize the things that truly require the weighing of options and deep analysis, but toss the other ones aside.

You will never accomplish anything if you spend more than necessary time on decisions, even worse, spending more than a few moments or minutes on trivials!

As a rule of thumb; if the decision can be reversed or taken back, do it immediately, if not, then give due analysis.

Successful People Never Label Themselves, or Others!

When used on pantry containers, labels can be very helpful. But they can also hem you in because you subconsciously comply with them!

For example, just because you are sometimes lazy doesn’t mean you can’t choose not to be lazy. 

Just because you failed at something, doesn’t mean you’re a failure. 

And just because you’ve had a lousy fashion sense doesn’t mean you can’t improve it.

Although changing habitual ways isn’t done overnight, neuroscientists have found that with repeated practice, you can rewire your brain; that is, your innate neural plasticity enables you to replace negative patterns of thought and behavior with positive ones.

Of course, when you slip back into default habits, as you inevitably will, don’t beat yourself up or label yourself as a lost cause. Rather, accept your fallibility and refocus on the positive changes you want to make.

You can kick-start your efforts by asking your favorite three people to call you out each time they hear you use “out of power” language.

It could be the most powerful thing you do to yourself!

- Margie Warrell (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Never Apologize for Having an Opinion!

Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin coined the term “double voice discourse” to explain the phenomena where people prefaced their statements to minimize the chance of a negative reaction!

For instance, “I know I might have this all wrong, but…” or “I apologize if anyone disagrees, but I was thinking, maybe, …”

Devaluing your opinion serves no one, and deprives everyone of the value your perspective brings.

Do not do that. Period

Margie Warrell (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Never Say “Never”!

Up until Roger Bannister ran a mile in under 4 minutes in 1954, it was collectively believed to be a physical impossibility.

So few people bothered to try!

But within six weeks of Bannister doing the “impossible,” John Landy broke the record by nearly a second.

Most of us have no idea about what is actually possible. Likewise, when we use absolute terms as descriptors, we fall into what’s known as a “linguistic trap”—confining ourselves to the walls our words create.

Hence, words like always, never and impossible can be very self-limiting and should be used cautiously.

- Margie Warrell (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Don’t “Try” To Do Something!

There is real power in making a committed declaration about what you want to change, achieve or become.

Saying “I’ll try” resonates with hesitation and ambivalence!

Saying “I will” declares to yourself and anyone listening that you’re serious about changing the game and what you most want is already a done deal. It’s just waiting to be completed.

Committing with a confident can-do spirit shifts the energy you bring to a challenge and rallies people around you in ways that trying, wishing and “hoping for the best” never will.

Try it!

Margie Warrell (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Speak Possibilities Into Life!

Orville and Wilbur Wright didn’t get an aircraft off the ground by focusing on what they couldn’t do, but by continually extending the boundaries of what they could.

It’s the same for you. 

Focus on the things you want and you’ll spot opportunities you might have otherwise missed.

Focus on the negative aspects of your situation, what you can’t or don’t want to do, and it will only amplify pessimism, triggering more negative emotions and channeling time and energy that might otherwise have been used more constructively.

For example:

·   If you want more time, talk about the important things you will schedule into your day, week and year (not about how crazy busy you are).

· If you want more success, talk about your aspirations and what you can do to make them a reality (not about how big your problems are).

· If you want more power and influence, talk about what you’ll do with the influence you already have (not about how no one takes you seriously).

- Margie Warrell (modified by Amr Badran)

When Successful People Fail, They Go Again!

Take Baby Steps.

Just a little step forward on the very day when you’ve felt smacked around by life can help you recommit and move through the pain of rejection.

When your proposal is turned down, make the suggested improvements, then send it out to another company.

When the promotion goes to someone else, sign up for a class that gives you an added skill.

When your spouse breaks it off, have a dinner with a sibling or close friend and soak up their love.

When you are doubting yourself, feeling like a failure, get up and go again.

With persistence, you can overcome any setback.

 - Polly Campbell (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Take Care of Their Bodies; Especially During Difficult Times!

Seriously, people: The tough times are a lot harder to handle when you are not eating and sleeping well.

Take care of your body. Get some sleep and examine the situation when you are better rested.

Often we lose perspective, and our ability to creatively problem solve, because we are just too tired or hungry.

Rest well and any rejection or perceived failure will feel a lot easier to deal with.

A little physical activity is another way to release the angst and gain the clarity you need to persist.

- Polly Campbell (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People “Sometimes” Detach from Outcomes, and Focus on Process!

We can become so attached to a single desired outcome that we feel lost and devastated when we don’t get that one result!

If there is only one way to succeed, then disappointment will inevitably loom.

Focus instead on the process:

·       What is it that is driving you toward your desired outcome?

·       What are your passions and values?

·   Are the steps you’re taking toward your goal in line with those things?

If you are growing and learning and living close to your values and passions all along the way, any outcome you  achieve will feel worthwhile—even if it is not your ideal.

It won’t be time wasted; it will be a life well lived.

When your process aligns with your values and passions, you’ll succeed in myriad ways.

But, if you are failing repeatedly en route to your ultimate goal, it could be because what you think you want doesn’t align with your values. Might be time to adapt your goal!

- Polly Campbell (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People May Experience Disappointment, But They Don’t Wallow In It!

Of course it hurts when our dreams get derailed!

Allow yourself to experience the frustration and disappointment that comes with failure, then get up and get going again.

Don’t deny your emotions, but make sure that you also come up with another avenue, activity, or interest to pursue so you don’t get stuck in the despair.

- Polly Campbell

Successful People Redefine What Failure Means To Them!

Intellectually we know that our mistakes yield the opportunities and insights we need to ultimately succeed in life.

So when rejections come, or the boss says no, or you lose the financing, house, or whatever it is that you wanted, slow down and notice what isn’t working!

Stop focusing on all the ways you’re screwed, and start thinking about the information that failure offers.

It’s usually telling us to find a new way, or to redirect our energies.

Perhaps it’s there to remind us of our commitment level, to reestablish our dedication.

When we can identify what isn’t working—instead of becoming identified with the pain of our failure—we can start on the solution, the new approach, the next big thing that will carry us in the direction we want to go.

When I was having a hard time selling magazine pieces, I experienced the disappointment of each rejection. Then I began looking at the things that were keeping me from the acceptance letters.

While I had strong ideas, I wasn't all that good at writing pitches, I discovered. So I took a class and worked with a coach who helped me hone that skill, and I've been selling my work ever since. 

- Polly Campbell (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Verbalize Their Respect for Others!

Everyone knows that in order to be respected, you first need to be respectful. While there are obviously exceptions to this rule, this is a pretty basic tenet of earning the respect of those around you.

But what I'm talking about here goes beyond simply being respectful. It deals with telling people you respect them.

According to the principle of spontaneous trait transference, others automatically attribute the same traits to us that we describe in them. This means that if we tell someone they're worthy of respect (if it's true, of course), they're more likely to feel we're also worthy of respect.

Takeaway: 

Be generous with your praise.

If you respect someone, let them know — it could be the key to earning their respect as well.

- John Rampton (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Know How to Say No!

We know that people tend to respect those who are assertive. When someone is assertive, it conveys a sense of competence and power — both traits that are very attractive and help to foster a sense of trust.

Being assertive can take many forms; however, simply saying “No” can be a great first step.

The problem is that many of us worry we'll come across as overly negative or assertive. We think that if we say “No” too many times, we'll be seen as aggressive or difficult.

But here's the good news: If you think you're overly assertive, there's a very good chance you're not.

Research suggests that people who see themselves as appropriately assertive are actually more likely to be overly assertive, while those who see themselves as overly or underly assertive are actually displaying the appropriate degree of assertiveness.

In other words, if you're worried you're being too assertive, you're probably OK.

Takeaway: 

Being able to speak your mind and stand your ground is important for earning respect from those around you.

If you believe you're being too assertive, you're probably not. Of course, if you're frequently told you come across as cocky or "full of yourself," it may be time to dial down the assertiveness a bit.

- John Rampton (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Exhibit Warmth, Not Just Competence!

Many people assume that if they're smart enough, skilled enough, or competent enough at their job, they'll naturally earn the respect of those around them.

However, according to Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy, competence is only the second most important trait for earning respect. Surprisingly, the first is warmth.

According to Cuddy, when we meet a new person, we ask ourselves two questions: "Can we trust this person?" and "Can we respect them?" Trust comes from being warm, while respect comes from being competent.

But here's the catch: According to her research, trust needs to happen before respect. This means a person needs to find you warm before they can ever respect you. She writes, "From an evolutionary perspective, it is more crucial to our survival to know whether a person deserves our trust."

Takeaway: 

If you want to earn respect, you first need to be perceived as warm by those around you. 

To project warmth, it's key to put yourself in the shoes of those around you. 

Really listening to those who are talking to you, and showing empathy where appropriate, will help those around you feel like you really care.

- John Rampton (modified by Amr Badran)

Successful People Read!

Warren Buffett is undeniably one of the best-known and most respected investors and philanthropists of our time. A Google search reveals countless articles on Buffett's habits and traits we can emulate in the hopes of achieving some modicum of success.

But perhaps the most surprising of Buffett's habits is his dedication to reading. He reportedly reads for approximately 80% of his day.

Harry S. Truman said, "Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers." There are many examples of respected leaders who have been voracious readers, including Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

But why is this?

We do know that reading helps develop a variety of skills and traits that ultimately help build respect. These include:

- Increased Verbal Intelligence

- Improved Understanding of Social Cues

- Improved Emotional Intelligence

Takeaway: Many of the most respected leaders of our time are avid readers. Incorporate reading into your daily routine as a way to develop important social and leadership skills that will lead others to respect you.

- John Rampton 

Successful People Do Not Sugarcoat!

That may seem a bit counterintuitive. Isn't Emotional Intelligence all about making other people feel good? Well, no. Not really.

As author Mark Murray writes for Forbes, "Emotional Intelligence requires recognizing emotions in others, but this other awareness doesn't mean shying away from speaking the truth or using tricks to try and soften the blow of tough feedback.

People with Emotional Intelligence know how important it is that tough messages get heard."

- Áine Cain (Modified by Amr Badran)