Success.
The word itself is elusive. Everyone has their own definition of what success is, making it very difficult to define how to obtain it. And while you’ll have to figure out the details regarding what it takes to be successful in your own personal life or career, the truth is that you can fundamentally change your life for the better by focusing on the following concepts:
- Surround Yourself With the Right People
Success isn’t something you can obtain on your own. While you ultimately define your own path, you’re greatly influenced and aided by the people around you. Until you realize this and start to reach out, you’ll find it’s nearly impossible to break through.
“If you try and do everything yourself, you will fail,” successful entrepreneur
. “So, I have to put my trust in others, and that’s what I do.” Ask yourself this question: Are the people closest to you pushing you in the right direction or holding you back? They’re either doing one or the other, so make sure you surround yourself with positive, successful people.
- Keep Everything in Focus
Here’s an interesting tidbit. Did you know that Lyndon B. Johnson
a lucrative oil investment early in his career because he know that being associated with oil companies could hurt his chances of becoming president one day? Talk about having an incredible amount of foresight.
While you may not ever have to make such difficult decisions, you will be challenged on a daily basis. Always keep your priorities in focus and never waver for temporary satisfaction.
- Embrace Your Failures
“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really,” successful businessman
. “Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes.”
When you make a mistake or fail, do you walk away and pursue something else? That’s the natural response for most of us. However, as Watson says, you must be willing to embrace failures and recognize them as catalysts for future success.
- Set Goals and Timelines
You’ll often hear people talk about a future goal as some far off thing that will one day manifest. Here’s the truth, though: The average life span is only 78 years. This means you only have a few decades to make your mark. It’s time to set goals with finite deadlines. This is what successful people do.
Do you want to own a business? Set a goal of owning your own business in five years. Do you want to travel the world? Set a goal of visiting a new country every summer. Successful goals always have timelines.
- It’s Okay to Pivot
Some of the most successful people in the world are those who ignore the call to specialize. While there’s something to be said for choosing a profession and sticking to it, there’s much more to be said for individuals who move around and pursue different things. Here’s something you won’ hear from everyone: It’s okay to pivot. Do what makes you happy and you’ll soon create your own definition of success.
Putting it All Together
You should be wary of anyone who defines success. The reality is that there’s no concrete explanation. With that being said, there are a variety of things you can do to discover success in your life. Keep in mind that what works for you will be quite different than what works for the next person in line.