7 Things That Separate
The Winners From The Wanna-Be's
In all the hundreds of success
stories I've read over the years, from people who have created an
empire from nothing to those who became celebrated in their own right
in spite of having famous parents, there seems to be one common
theme: determination.
They were determined to succeed.
The obstacles they encountered where just obstacles, not stopping
points. The struggles they endured toughened them for future
challenges. And the goals they set for themselves pushed them higher
and higher-instead of defeating them right from the start.
If you want to make more money and
reach your dreams, then it's time to take stock of your assets and
liabilities. Do you have what it takes to succeed?
Here are 7 key traits that separate
the "winners" from the "wanna-be's". See how you compare:
1. Goals
People who succeed set goals. They
know what they want, and they set deadlines for attainment.
If you want to double your income
or walk away from your job in six months, for example, then you have
from now until December to put it together. What do you need to do to
accomplish it?
2. A Plan of Action
How are you going to get from Point
A to Point B?
If you're going to someone's house
for the first time, you'd probably get the directions. "Left at
the stop light, right by the filling station. Go down two blocks.
We're the third house on the right, white with blue shutters."
The more specific the instructions,
the faster you'll get where you're going.
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND. Then
work backwards through what you need to do to get there.
3. Flexibility
What? Things aren't falling into
place precisely as you planned? So what? How close are you? What do
you need to do to fix it?
If the house you were traveling to
was the location for a surprise party for your spouse, and you were
driving him or her to the party, would you give up and go home
because the third house on the right is green with black shutters
instead of white with blue shutters? No way. You'd re-read your
instructions, and either back up or go around the block until you
found what you were looking for. If all else fails, you'd called the
hostess and get the instructions again.
Winners are flexible. If they fall
short of their goals, they don't give up, they just try again.
4. Organization
In order to succeed, you need to
get organized. Figure out what needs to be done, and do it. If you
can't do everything yourself, delegate. The bigger your business
grows, the more vital this becomes.
Clear the clutter, cut the
chit-chat, eliminate the time wasters. You only have 24 hours in a
day, like everyone else, so make the most of it. Spend your time and
energy in activities that allow you to move forward instead of make
you "spin your wheels".
5. A Mentor
In story after story of noteworthy
entrepreneurs, I see a second prominent name mentioned: that of the
person's mentor. The one who inspired, encouraged, or cajoled them
into doing what it took to get the job done.
If you don't have a mentor, find
someone who is or has succeeded in your area of interest. Learn how
they did it. If you can't talk to the person, read all you can about
him. Buy her books, read his biography, do whatever you need to do to
figure out what "makes them tick". Learn from their
mistakes. They've created the road map-all you have to do is follow
it, adding your own twists, of course.
6. Practicality
"Opportunity is missed by most
people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks a lot like
work." -Thomas Edison
A beautiful house...a luxurious
car...a bank account filled with money...absolutely no effort required...
Hey, as long as you're dreaming,
why not throw in that last line? Unfortunately, most people DO. They
want it all, now, no effort required.
Guess what? It doesn't work that
way. Get your money-making businesses up and running FIRST, then sit
back and enjoy them later. You know that-so snap out of it and get busy!
What's going to get your heart
pounding to do all that's required?
7. Dreams
That's right-you need to dream. You
need to have a reason for doing all that's required.
Maybe you want a way to stay at
home with your kids. Perhaps you're looking for money to travel. Or
retire. Or build a vacation home.
Whatever it is, write it down. Find
pictures of it, if you can, and put them in places where you'll see
them every day. Think about them constantly. Let them motivate and
inspire you.
Then, get busy. Turn those dreams
into reality. Set goals, make a plan, be flexible, get organized, be
practical, and find a mentor.
Once you achieve those dreams,
dream again-only bigger. Then do it all over again.
That's what winners do.
So do you have what it takes to
succeed? Probably. All you really need to do, to quote Nike, is
"just do it!"
Good luck! |
