Don't Wish It Was Easier

One of my favourite quotes from management consultant Jim Rohn is: "Don't wish it was easier; wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems; wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenges; wish for more wisdom." Growth comes from stretching and flexing just like you strengthen a muscle through tension just outside it's usual comfort zone. Challenges are good for you and function as stepping stones to your future success.

Ask Better Quality Questions

Many people keep asking themselves: "Why does this always happen to me?" and they continuously get negative answers. When you learn to turn your questions around you will get different answers. Instead ask questions like: "What can I do now?" or "How do I get from here to where I want to go?" In fact; the quality of your life stands in direct proportion to the quality of your questions. It comes down to what you constantly keep asking yourself in that inner dialogue of yours. If you are not happy with the answer you get, try a different question!

Don't Be Afraid Of Failure

It is interesting to notice that the most successful people have higher failure rates than others. This is because they are not afraid to try. The super entrepreneur tries new concepts. A good batter in baseball misses the ball more often than he hits it. The more they try, the more experience they get and the better they become. Don't be afraid of failure, be afraid of never trying!

Combining Work And Pleasure

We get so busy sometimes we lose perspective and forget what is important in life. Stop and smell the roses, absorb the taste of the food and listen to the world around you. It is simple yet so easy not to do. Be sure to schedule elements of pleasure in your daily activity. Take a lunch break with a friend. Stay a few hours extra and do some sight seeing when work forces you to travel. I had a boss who used to say: "Don't forget, it is all about work and pleasure!" So true!

Success Comes From Doing What You Enjoy!

Talent, skill and education are not the key issues. What is important is what inspires your enthusiasm, determination and persistence. In other words the things you care about. Don't worry about what you are good at. If something turns you on, you will be good enough, if it won't you will not. Your strengths are irrelevant. What you love to do is what makes the difference. Find out what you enjoy and make that your career.

Diligence, The Mother Of Good Luck

Seneca, the Roman 1st century philosopher said: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." This is very insightful. To the casual observer it may look like a "lucky break" however, they don't see all the sweat and toil, all the practice hours that went into the preparation. Gary Player, the famous golfer puts it this way: "The harder I work the luckier I get." Prepare, work hard and luck stands a far better chance of finding you.

Learn To Deal With Rejection

Rejection happens to all of us in life, particularly in the context of selling. We have to learn to deal with it and not take it personally. Listen to this teenage boy explain how he dealt with a "no" at the school prom: "She didn't dance with be before I asked and she didn't dance with me after, so there was no change." That's a great response! Learn to deal with "no" and you will be more comfortable to ask people "for a dance" more often.

Attitudes, Attributes And Actions

The fundamentals of success are quite simple. First you apply energy and enthusiasm through a positive "I can" attitude. Secondly, you have to be knowledgeable and skilled in your field of endeavour. Continuous learning in form of education, experience, practice and training take care of that. Thirdly and most importantly you need to take massive action. Plan your work and work your plan diligently.