There are a million ways to succeed. And – since wildly successful people aren’t ones to blindly follow the well traveled paths of others — there are new paths being blazed every single day that we can learn from.
But failure is so easy, there need not be AS MANY paths to a failing destination. Below are a few failure strategies I want you to take notice of. If you see them too often — and change nothing — you’re taking continuous steps in the wrong direction, and the (ultimate) failure (of your current business) is imminent.
Failure Strategy #1: Seek, solicit and / or covet the approval of others.
There’s a reason the entrepreneurs who are wildly successful, grabbing headlines and employing thousands aren’t universally loved and adored. There’s a reason our un-official salute is synonymous with flipping someone the bird. The truth is, few people TRULY want you to succeed. So, you have to ask: Do I want their approval? Or do I want _____(insert your specific goal)___? Which do I want MORE?
Failure Strategy #2: Place blame on people other than yourself.
Listen. It’s your business. The buck stops with you. You can have EXCUSES and place blame or you can have RESULTS and make deposits. You can NOT have both, but you DO get to choose.
Failure Strategy #3: Dis-credit the wildly successful as either lacking morals or as being lucky.
Yuck. Google the big names you admire. Find out their SCHEDULE, the DEMANDS on their time, the RISKS they take to create huge success. Still think they’re lucky? I thought not.
As for those success stories you think lack morals or decency or just “aren’t nice people”… I have two things to say to you about these people:
First, there are a lot of poor people who also lack morals, decency or aren’t nice people. So — for your own sake– don’t associate all success with all sin. (Quick example: filthy + rich) You don’t have to mirror their lifestyles or hang ups or whatever… just mirror what MAKES them successful. And secondly, those who place themselves so firmly in the judgement seat rarely walk or sprint very far. Walk more, judge less.
Failure Strategy #4: Spend Time With Drama-Seekers and Go-Nowhere-ers.
Be very careful who you spend your time with… as it IS an investment that WILL produce a return. Hang around those who seek drama, you’ll produce a return of drama. Hang around those on the treadmill of business, you’ll go nowhere as fast as the treadmill can carry you. Hang around those who have goals, vision and similar ethics as you, however, and that time investment will produce a healthy, measurable and positive return.
Failure Strategy #5: Know More About Today’s Celebrities Than Your Clients.
Entertaining yourself is easy and fun and popular. Constantly educating yourself takes effort and determination and sacrifice. Want more money, more clients, more success? Place education FAR HIGHER on your priority list than entertainment.
