eBusiness Weekly
Robert Gonye
Success isn’t easy — and it certainly doesn’t happen overnight, but there are little things you can do every day to ensuring that you achieve your professional goals. The world’s most legendary leaders, from Robert Mugabe to Oprah Winfrey all view success as a work in progress. The key is to stay patient and committed. Here are six things you need to do on a daily basis if you want to be successful in life and see this being embodied by your sales teams:
Read a book that isn’t directly related to your career
Reading is one of the easiest ways to experience life from another perspective and develop the empathy required to be an effective leader. But it’s important to expand your knowledge beyond your expertise. It has been said, to keep information from a person, put it in a book. Well fear note, there are now audio books to address your worries, and you can even listen to it while on the go.
Read in an area you are also passionate about and critical to develop even if it means science fiction and biographies as some of the essentials in reading. “I was raised by books. Books, and then my parents,” quoted from a famous rolling stone. There is nothing under the sun so why miss an opportunity to learn from a book, shared experiences from people who already mastered from those trends
Make sure you Sweat
No, we’re not talking about going to the sauna or doing hot yoga.
Developing the courage to do something outside of your comfort zone is a sign that you’re levelling up. Otherwise, you won’t get very far in life. If you hate public speaking, be the first to speak at your next team meeting.
Although you might get so nervous that you end up with sweat stains beneath your armpit sleeves, just do it anyway. It’ll get easier. What you are willing to confront you have courage as a marked defeat in your mind and life, however, what you run away from will always have control over you.
No new learned skill is easy, but every learnt skill is easy because you develop muscle power. I remember when I decided to learn mandarin. After the 6th lesson I felt like throwing in the towel, good thing I kept going and now it’s one in the bag. Fear and growth cannot exist in the same space. One has to leave in order for the other to flourish.
Exercise
In a five-year study of rich people, a famous author by the name Tom Corley found that exercising was something they all had in common.
“Those who have forged the habit of exercising aerobically have tremendous competitive advantages over those who don’t.”
Research even suggests that those advantages include higher IQ (intelligence quotient), willpower, confidence and up to 20 percent more energy. I had the opportunity of watching a you tube video on Serena Williams and her drive to win . . . and simply put commitment to finish what you start is what will make you better than the rest.
When the leading pack are seen doing something repeatitivly over time, clearly it works. Incorporate exercise into your daily routines. Research even found that small amounts of daily exercise can significantly help to extend your life.
Don’t Hold Back
The myth that keeping what you have will take you to the next level is but a myth. Truly successful people understand the importance of giving back, especially to those in need.
In 2010, Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett started the Giving Pledge, a commitment by wealthy individuals and families to give away more than half their fortune to causes like poverty alleviation and global health. The impact has been phenomenal in the world. But it doesn’t have to be massive amounts of money. It can be as simple as offering to help an overworked colleague or an elderly person with their grocery bag, OR standing in queue for someone. If you’re too busy to give back or return a favor, then you’re too busy to succeed.
Take a moment to remember your competition
The greatest basketball player of all time Michael Jordan once said: “I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win.”
The professional basketball player went from getting cut from his high school basketball team all the way to six championships and creating one of the most valuable athletic brands in history. It was all because of his drive to win and competitive nature.
Failing to forgive and holding grudges can weigh you down, but acknowledging your competition and doubters can be a powerful form of motivation. It pushes you to do everything in your power to succeed and prove them wrong.
Get outside and think
Everyone knows we all spend way too much time on our phones (what’s new, millennial?), but what we don’t talk about is what so many of us fail to do: Drop the devices, get outside, walk and just think.
A recent study from the Psychology Association found that outdoor walks can increase creativity and improve problem-solving skills.
“When there is a premium on generating new ideas in the workday, it should be beneficial to incorporate walks,” .
Personally I find it to be a much quicker way of getting down to business, making a decision and sealing the deal, furthermore it’s a great way to fit in a bit of exercise and stay focused on a busy day. I trust this article managed to help you create a work life balance in your desire to be positive and successful. The views given herein are solely for information purposes; they are guidelines and suggestions and are not guaranteed to work in any particular way.
Robert Gonye is a Business Growth Expert and Influencer. He writes in his personal capacity. Comments and views: [email protected] twitter@robert_gonye
