Three things all successful people do
Babington Group
This topic will be covered in greater depth in a webinar with leadership expert Nigel Girling.
Find out more and sign up here.
The bookstands at airports are loaded with advice on how you can ‘be successful’.
Meanwhile, TV programmes show you that anyone can be famous, for all kinds of spurious reasons, from pitching a bizarre business idea to singing karaoke, and from training a dancing dog to taking a shower under a waterfall.
Let’s be clear at the outset. I’m not here to help you get rich quick or become a star.
Unless you’re incredibly lucky (or look amazing under a waterfall), it just isn’t that easy.
I’m here to tell you that you probably need to adopt some of the habits of successful people if you want to be successful too.
It isn’t a guarantee, but it does improve your chances.
Here are three things that all significantly successful people tend to do:
1. Adapt
It’s said by many experts in anthropology that the main reason humans have become the ‘apex predator’ and most successful animal is that we are simply the most adaptable creatures on the planet.
We can learn to thrive in any environment and acquire any ability, whether we are physically adept or not.
We can fly, travel at speed on water, dive to the deepest parts of the ocean, survive on almost any source of nourishment, and even explore outer space.
Successful people are usually great examples of this adaptability.
They can fit into any culture, work compatibly with anyone, and achieve results under intense pressure.
Yet they can do this while taking everyone with them, rather than by ‘beating’ others or causing unnecessary stress.
They don’t see the need to win simply by making others lose.
Creating and sustaining strong relationships is at the heart of the successful person.
2. Develop
Along with this adaptability comes growth and development.
The world moves so fast and the successful person keeps up or forges ahead by developing and reinventing themselves every year.
They acquire new skills and knowledge, honing their most important abilities and devoting time to constant reflection to adapt their practice.
Ask any very successful person (one who didn’t have it handed to them on a plate), and you’ll find someone who is always striving to get better, and who is always learning.
3. Conquer change
Now more than ever, you need to navigate your way through a continuous state of flux.
It’s time to embrace uncertainty and focus on the things that matter the most.
This means, for example, valuing creativity over compliance, and being agile rather than obstinate.
It means being prepared to let go of things you’ve relied on in the past and do what will work the best.
I’m almost 60 and much prefer to speak to people face-to-face, but I just don’t have the time…. so I Skype, I hold virtual meetings, I use social media, I text, I blog, I email, and I use voicemail.
For the successful person, it’s all about doing what works best, regardless of your habits or preferences.
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