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Secrets to Success Deborah Cole Micek |
Sacrifices are necessary
for ultimate successAchievers sacrifice and succeed. It's an unpopular message in this day and age, yet it still remains one of the most closely guarded secrets of the world's top achievers.
The bottom line is that nothing -- let me repeat, NOTHING -- takes the place of self-sacrifice when it comes to realizing one's goals and dreams on a massive scale.
Why is this strategy a secret? Simply because few people will lend an ear to such a message.
These days, everyone wants to "get rich quick." People who tell us we can grow wealthy one day at a time are not the popular icons of this day and age. We want it now. We want it yesterday. And we want it to happen in less than a minute.
Two things my dad taught me while growing up continue to stand as the habits I need to apply to succeed. These strategies have been instrumental in the success I've enjoyed in life.
>> Learn from other people's mistakes.Any time I'm tempted to complain about the long hours I put in, parties I miss, days I'm not able to visit friends or relatives, or the all-nighters required to complete a project for my clients, I remember my father's example. Then I'm able to persevere.No need to repeat unnecessary mistakes if you're willing to learn from other people's mistakes and not repeat them yourself. This information comes in the form of advice, coaching and observation.
>> Delay personal gratification in order to be ahead of the game in the end.
My father sacrificed his personal comfort for the advancement of his family. He, too, worked for the newspaper his entire life. Only he wasn't writing for it -- he printed it. Every night, he woke up from a nap and left in the pitch-black darkness of night to get to work on time and provide for his family.
Reflecting on the first career job I secured after graduating from college, an entry-level position in the industry I wanted to be in, I can see how my father's advice and commitment to working with integrity brought me success. Everyone advised me not to bother, that no one would recognize or appreciate my efforts.
As they were giving me this advice, I just kept thinking, "But I'll know."
The habits we form while working on the seemingly "little things" in life will be the same habits we carry forth in future jobs, careers and businesses. They have the power to make or break us.
Exercise self-discipline, patience and persistence to anything you put your mind to, and you'll distinguish yourself from more than half the population of business owners and professionals around you.
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John-Paul Micek is a small-business strategist
and chief operating officer at RPM Success Group.
Reach him at JPM@RPMsuccess.com
or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.
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.
