What does success mean to you?
Knowing the answer will help you
plan the route to attain it
DO YOU often look at successful people with a longing eye and wish you were like them?
In her book If Success is a Game, These are the Rules, Dr Cherie Carter-Scott shares 10 simple rules to guide you to achieve the success that you desire.
1
Each person has his/her
own definition of success
Success can be many things ― it can be a concept, an experience, a dream or something that you are trying to grasp at. However, the true essence of success is feeling satisfied and fulfilled internally. It is not judged by external benchmarks.
Consider a person, who volunteers at the hospital to read to children with cancer. Is he any less of a success than the business tycoon who masterminds corporate buyouts?
Some might equate success with financial freedom, or to changing the status quo, or even being able to raise their children well ― what is important is that you set your own standard and know what success means to you.
2
Wanting success is the first
step towards attaining it
Your ownership of the desire of success is the initial thrust that will start you on your quest. By harnessing the intensity, drive and causality, you can make things happen. No soccer team would win their championship if they just said “it would be nice if…” Team members must have an intense desire to win that will propel them to success.
3
Self-trust is
essential
Knowing and trusting yourself leads you to the path that is uniquely yours. This self-trust can be tapped only after you truly know your purpose in life ― what do you want your life to be about? What matters to you? Stop being a passive participant in your life ― are you the driver or passenger?
4
Goals are the stepping
stones on your path
When you drive to Kuala Lumpur, you know you are nearing the city by distance markers along the way. Likewise, goals are the mileposts to motivate you to reach the finish line.
How often have you put off making goals because you were afraid of failure? Sure, it might seem unsettling, because of the possibility of disappointment, but missing goals does not equate to failing. You can revise deadlines and re-evaluate them (See box).
5
Your actions affect
your outcomes
What you say, do or think directly affects the results you produce, and this puts the power of making your goals happen in your hands.
Focus on what you want to do, not how you are going to do it. Knowing specifically what you want moves you into action steps you can take.
For example, Erlina wanted to start a gourmet ice-cream store. She began by mapping out her action plan: She listed down the things that she needed to do ― research on other ice-cream joints, find out more about franchises available, register the company and so on.
Since the first item seemed to be least threatening, she began with that and was inspired to pick another “to do” item on her list.
All that is required to move into action is that you venture forth. What is most important is to take the first step.
6
Opportunities will
present themselves
Opportunities in life may be glaringly obvious or hidden, and you will be faced with many decisions throughout your life.
Assess the opportunities with your head, heart and gut, and trust your intuition. Do a cost/benefit analysis to establish whether the opportunity is worth taking. Risk-taking might be unsettling, but it might lead to the most exhilarating moment of your life!
7
Each setback provides
valuable lessons
Setbacks build character and perseverance, if you do not give up. Determination was what kept star basketball player Michael Jordan practising and improving his game after he was cut from his high school team!
If you are to succeed, however, learn how to deal with disappointments that come your way. Acknowledge that there will be obstacles and things might not always go as you want them to.
8
Managing your resources
maximises your efforts
Time, energy, relationships and finances are elements that can impede success or enhance it. Make them work for instead of against you.
Organise your time to give you the freedom to create, think clear thought and live life effectively, as opposed to being weighed down by tasks, time constraints and chaos.
Maintain your energy by finding a balance in your life, spending it wisely, and recharging when necessary.
9
Every level of success
brings new challenges
Attaining some form of success does not mean the end of the game. A promotion might mean added responsibility and pressure, but if you are prepared to deal with changes and stay humble, you can keep your perspective and maintain your integrity.
10
Success is a process
that never ends
There is no magic door labelled “Destination: Success” that you can enter permanently. It turns, bends and curves, and can place you at a vantage point that enables you to see a whole new world of opportunities and challenges.
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Use SMART goals to ground you in reality
Is your goal specific?
Articulate precisely what you mean and exactly what you want to achieve.
Is your goal measurable?
Are you able to count or mark the outcome in some way? If you want to succeed in advertising for example, what would mark your success? An award? A managerial role?
Is it attainable?
Is it possible for you given your features, characteristics, assets and limitations to achieve this goal?
Is it realistic?
Does your goal make sense? Is it realistic for you to relocate for a promotion despite having to look after your aged parents?
Is it time-based?
Attach a completion date to avoid turning your goal into an “intention” and letting that process drag on forever.
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Being successful is a process that never ends because our definitions of success are constantly changing and evolving. Live fully for the moment and enjoy the journey!
Article adapted from New York author Dr Cherie Carter-Scott’s book If Success is a Game, These are the Rules. Dr Carter-Scott is available for corporate engagements, talks and workshops. For details, call Citadel Consulting at 6341-7756.