My clients and people in the audiences where I speak often
want the "secret" of success. They want to know how to
build the life they truly want, the one they imagine and
long for, and I often compare the secrets of success to the
ingredients of a recipe, or the tools in a toolbox. Most of
the key ingredients are familiar to all of us. The only
difference is that successful people use them more
effectively.
In the next couple of months, we will be distracted with
holidays and end-of-year projects. And that's good! We want
some parties and we want some fun. We want to finish this
year strong and "on fire!" And, we want to start the New
Year with momentum, clear plans and specific goals.
The truth is that we pretty much get what we expect and
plan for in life. In 2014, I want you to expect and plan
for the very best. I want you to achieve more than ever
before and to have more fun doing it! That requires some
focus, some thought, some planning and some concentration.
So, let's get to work. What are the foundations for
success? Reduced to a single phrase, the foundation for
extraordinary achievement is this:
Top Achievers Have Unusual Self-Awareness.
1. Top Achievers are Unusually Selfish
They know themselves and their values. They know what they
want, where they are going and what they will DO with their
lives. They have taken time to "get over" themselves. They
tend to be humble because they are not confused or grasping
or complaining. They are not particularly worried about
pleasing others because they have learned to please
themselves.
Sure, many people have become rich or powerful without this
extraordinary level of self-awareness (think of Elvis
Presley, Judy Garland, perhaps the neighborhood bully or
some professional athletes of recent notoriety), but the
real winners in life have figured out who they are and
where they are going in life. They have integrity and
consistency. They are them-SELVES in all situations. They
are unusually self-aware.
2. Top Achievers have Unusual Self-Acceptance
They know their strengths and weaknesses, they can laugh at
themselves and stand tall. They can stand alone when needed
and they can forgive their own mistakes or foolishness.
Because they are comfortable in their own skin, they have
the confidence to make clear decisions and walk boldly
forward. They accept those around them, as well. They know
that since no one is perfect, their parents, friends,
partners and neighbors have also made mistakes, and that is
"ok." Forgiveness is part of life. They have an unusual
ability to be realistic, to accept life as it is and move
boldly forward.
3. Top Achievers have Unusual Self-Projection
Top achievers are willing to speak out and they expect to
make a difference. They volunteer, they try stuff, they
learn and they take risks. They are the "movers and
shakers," the ones who put themselves in the game. They
stir things up. Sometimes they make trouble. They ask hard
questions. They can be politically incorrect and may come
across as insensitive because they put themselves on the
line for what they believe. (Fortunately, they are also the
most sensitive, helpful and thoughtful people because they
are willing to reach out. They CARE!)
Because top achievers are unusually aware of themselves and
others, they are comfortable with their own power and can
use it to make a difference.
In the words of the ancient poet, the foundation for
achievement is to, "first know thyself and (then) to thine
own self be true."
want the "secret" of success. They want to know how to
build the life they truly want, the one they imagine and
long for, and I often compare the secrets of success to the
ingredients of a recipe, or the tools in a toolbox. Most of
the key ingredients are familiar to all of us. The only
difference is that successful people use them more
effectively.
In the next couple of months, we will be distracted with
holidays and end-of-year projects. And that's good! We want
some parties and we want some fun. We want to finish this
year strong and "on fire!" And, we want to start the New
Year with momentum, clear plans and specific goals.
The truth is that we pretty much get what we expect and
plan for in life. In 2014, I want you to expect and plan
for the very best. I want you to achieve more than ever
before and to have more fun doing it! That requires some
focus, some thought, some planning and some concentration.
So, let's get to work. What are the foundations for
success? Reduced to a single phrase, the foundation for
extraordinary achievement is this:
Top Achievers Have Unusual Self-Awareness.
1. Top Achievers are Unusually Selfish
They know themselves and their values. They know what they
want, where they are going and what they will DO with their
lives. They have taken time to "get over" themselves. They
tend to be humble because they are not confused or grasping
or complaining. They are not particularly worried about
pleasing others because they have learned to please
themselves.
Sure, many people have become rich or powerful without this
extraordinary level of self-awareness (think of Elvis
Presley, Judy Garland, perhaps the neighborhood bully or
some professional athletes of recent notoriety), but the
real winners in life have figured out who they are and
where they are going in life. They have integrity and
consistency. They are them-SELVES in all situations. They
are unusually self-aware.
2. Top Achievers have Unusual Self-Acceptance
They know their strengths and weaknesses, they can laugh at
themselves and stand tall. They can stand alone when needed
and they can forgive their own mistakes or foolishness.
Because they are comfortable in their own skin, they have
the confidence to make clear decisions and walk boldly
forward. They accept those around them, as well. They know
that since no one is perfect, their parents, friends,
partners and neighbors have also made mistakes, and that is
"ok." Forgiveness is part of life. They have an unusual
ability to be realistic, to accept life as it is and move
boldly forward.
3. Top Achievers have Unusual Self-Projection
Top achievers are willing to speak out and they expect to
make a difference. They volunteer, they try stuff, they
learn and they take risks. They are the "movers and
shakers," the ones who put themselves in the game. They
stir things up. Sometimes they make trouble. They ask hard
questions. They can be politically incorrect and may come
across as insensitive because they put themselves on the
line for what they believe. (Fortunately, they are also the
most sensitive, helpful and thoughtful people because they
are willing to reach out. They CARE!)
Because top achievers are unusually aware of themselves and
others, they are comfortable with their own power and can
use it to make a difference.
In the words of the ancient poet, the foundation for
achievement is to, "first know thyself and (then) to thine
own self be true."
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