Secrets to Success
Secrets to Success
Success begins
in your mindWho has the best chance to become successful in America? Someone who comes from a wealthy home? Someone who is intelligent? Someone who grows up in the right neighborhood? Perhaps someone who knows the right people?
Success indicators are much different than you might expect. Many successful people are the exact opposite of popular stereotypes held for "the rich and famous." Many American success stories are contrary to popular belief about what it takes to be successful.
Unfortunately, trite sayings are perpetuated anytime someone mentions them, even in jest. Clichés become powerful belief systems that discourage people from pursuing a business venture, especially once people find evidence to support the myths mentioned by so many people; myths such as: "It's not what you know but who you know."
Even if this myth was a total fact in every business situation, you may want to ask yourself, "What can I do about it?" Or, think about real-life examples to disprove that myth. You might ask, "Is there anyone you know who didn't become successful because of who they knew, but because of their charisma and attitude?"
Once you find evidence to affirm that you have the opportunity to be successful, no matter what your background, you can pursue your goals relentlessly.
You can also begin to ask yourself questions like, "How can I get to know the kind of people who will want my product or service?"
Then follow your action plan to make it happen for yourself. Don't join the ranks of those sitting on the sidelines waiting for the perfect situation to fall from the sky. Trust me, it rarely happens.
Believe it or not, your success is determined by the quality of your thoughts; not by who you know or what you know.
Everything we do begins first with a thought. We are unable to do anything unless we think about it first.
Unfortunately, we do so many things "subconsciously" out of the habits we formed at a very young age.
Just as we trained our brain when we were first learning to walk, using all of our muscle groups, we can also train our brain to think creatively, resourcefully, or strategically.
Unfortunately, we often train our brain to think unproductively without realizing it. Just like walking, swimming or driving a car, these actions become part of the routine for our everyday lives.
We don't think about how we walk across the room, we just automatically do it. Yet your brain continues to send more than a million separate messages to your body in order for you to perform this simple action.
Similarly, the way we pursue success is performed subconsciously.
Coach's catalyst corner
Do you tend to send negative or indicting thoughts to yourself?Or do you regularly engage in positive, affirming thoughts to energize you for success?
If you continually "beat yourself up" anytime you don't make a sale, or perform something correctly, your brain will believe you do not "deserve" to earn a lot.
If you get discouraged after a hard day, your brain will not stimulate you to exert as much effort the next time. Anytime something does not go according to plan, ask yourself an empowering question, such as, "How can I make this better next time?"
By asking yourself empowering questions, you'll actually be giving your brain a "homework assignment."
This will stimulate your brain, and you will be amazed the next time you attempt to tackle the same project, as you notice how much easier it is, or more enjoyable. Your brain only responds to the instructions you give it; just as a computer only responds to the program written for it.
You can e-mail me a request for the action sheet that follows this article, and I'll send you the list of 10 questions to help you determine your potential for success, and ways you can begin to put yourself on the right course to reach your goals.
Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer
of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach
and life strategist. Reach her at DCM@RPMsuccess.com
or (888) 334-8151.