The Three Secrets to Success. Not what you think!
Obviously, if you want to be successful, you've got to do what you love, be the best and work hard, right? NOT AT ALL. That's what so many "gurus" will tell you, but they are wrong. Others will tell you that it's all about passion - also false.
How are these false? Evidence! Look at each of these guru claims:
Do what you love. Don't you know people who do what they love and can't seem to make any real money? Sure! There are lots of people who love what they do, but need to leave it because they can't pay their bills. This is simply not the answer. Of course, it is great if you can do what you love, but it in NO way sets you up for success.
Be the best. Don't you know of MANY products or services that are just mediocre (at best) and make a fortune? Don't you know of MANY products or services that are amazing, but can't make any money and maybe even go out of business. Again, simply not true. Being the best definitely helps, but it does not set you up for success.
Work hard. Don't you know MANY people who work really hard, but never get ahead? They don't make enough money, they don't get promoted, they don't get recognition and they usually aren't even happy. Hard work helps, it also ensures that you'll have less time for family and friends, but does not set you up for success.
Be passionate. Don't you know people who are passionate about something, but never get the recognition or financial compensation for their efforts? Being passionate may help you stay the course when doubt creeps in, but that may just make you stay in a bad positions longer than you should! It does not set you up for success.
In fact, in the current environment, many people who are following the above concepts are actually losing their jobs and closing their businesses. No success there.
So why do so many people say that these are the rules for success? They don't know any better. When you ask the people who are successful why they are that way, they say that they work hard, are passionate, always try to be the best and do what they love. That's great, but it's not why they are successful! They also have two lungs and breath air, That doesn't mean that if you have two lungs and breath air that you'll be successful.
The millions who have failed don't write books! If you asked these people how they went about their businesses/careers, they will tell you that they worked really hard, were passionate, did what they loved and tried to be the best - AND THEY FAILED! Does that mean that the successful people don't know why they are successful? YES! Most have no idea. That's why most of their books are either inspirational or useless. It is very rare to find one that actually tells you real secrets. Well, this post will tell you the requirements for success!
1 - Be good at what you do. NOT the best, it's not required. If you are the best it will help, but you MUST NOT spend ALL of your time on being the best. You will still get fired! You will still lose customers! Your odds of success will go down if you do not spend your time on other endeavors. Get good, slowly improve and move on to other aspects. That sets you up for success.
2 - Change your peer group. This is very hard to do! Get yourself around the people who you need to be successful. Whether that's new types of customers, managers, business leaders, politicians, bankers, thinkers or even friends. Get into new and more powerful circles. Like it or not, relationships matter. The old adage of "It's not what you know, but who you know." is semi true. A more accurate axiom is "It's not who you know, but who knows you." Who will take your phone call? That is critical! Having a valuable "rolodex" sets you up for success.
3 - Have a business/career model that is open to positive strokes of luck. This may seem odd, but LUCK is the one aspect almost never touched on when it comes to success. Luck is ALWAYS (NO EXCEPTION) a part of success. It's sometimes (rarely) a large part, like winning the lottery: but mostly it's a small part, like being at the right place at the right time. Whether big or small, without it, there is NO success. So, set yourself up to receive positive strokes of it. You need to physically be around people who can help you get ahead. Market yourself in arenas that may have opportunities for you. Take stances on issues that people who need you may see. Be part of organizations that garner respect. Comment in a way that encourages responses from the right people. Be ready to step up when the time comes (do NOT be so committed or so worried that you can't act). Have the resources to make a big step. This sets you up for success.
If you look at what actually happened to most successful people, this is the formula.
Remember that most people fail. If you follow the advice of most people, the odds of your success are low and you'll probably be a statistic. Follow NOT what they say, instead follow what actually got them success and your odds will go up.
Good luck!
Larry
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