Over years of observing what the “top people” do and don’t do (and never did) to get to the top, I created a checklist. And when I first thought about it, I was quite shocked. In fact, when you read it your first reaction might be, “No way! Phil, I completely disagree with you!”
If you feel your hackles rise at something on the list, forgive. These aren’t commandments. They are merely observations.
Just for now, consider this…
1. Successful people don’t spend time going on all those courses.
But they do invest time doing those courses which lead to their goals. They are not “course junkies”, and every course they do attend is an investment… time plus money plus energy. They constantly learn, and act as a result of learning. There is a huge difference between “spending time” and “investing time”.
2. Successful people don’t spend time reading loads of books on personal and business development!
But they do invest in reading and study and gaining know-how. As with the point above about courses, there is a fine line (and it’s a chasm) between spending your resources and investing them. Successful people actively learn and grow. They also learn how to learn better. They learn how to learn those things which are success-critical rather than simply gathering knowledge. They go deep on those things which are most important and will have greatest impact on their progress.
3. Successful people don’t work too hard!
They do recognise the value of spreading the work amongst a team and using others’ expertise, talents, energy and time to greatest effect. They make sure that they are focussing on those things to which they are particularly suited and which they enjoy most and which utilise their own greatest talents. The phrase “do what you love doing, and you’ll never work another day” is worth remembering here!
And, they don’t allow themselves to burn out.
4. Successful people don’t spend time joining associations or going to overlong networking meetings.
The notes about the difference between spending and investing apply here too. Successful people are those who join associations which they invest time and energy into, not merely pay the membership fee. Turn your fee into an investment by being involved, sharing and gaining most from being involved. There is a fine line between networking and Not-working. Many people turn networking meetings into a chance to Not-work! Successful people do network… brilliantly. They do invest time with other successful people. They see that it is better to join with groups of people who will stretch them and to be in regular contact with potential clients and allies.
5. Successful people don’t over-plan / over-organise.
They have developed antennae which will detect when planning and organising are about to cross the line into over-planning and over-organising. They are great planners, great organisers, and they convert those two skills to action. Many people find this difficult and end up using the planning and organising as a displacement activity instead of carrying through the plans.
6. Successful people don’t try too hard.
There is a huge difference between the “trying” mindset and the achieving mindset. Successful people think not of “trying” to do something, but of doing it. If you are focussed on the act of trying, you can’t be focused on the goal, or even beyond the goal. To achieve breakthroughs, stop “trying”. Focus on the vision, have complete conviction, take action, and relax into the success.
7. Successful people don’t do too much research before launching.
Doing too much research can lead to “paralysis by analysis”, as we know. Successful people do research, but recognise that it’s not only data, hard facts and information which need to be taken into consideration when making a decision. They are always prepared to launch a venture with confidence.
8. Successful people don’t diet and don’t waste money or spend time joining gyms.
They do, however, have eating habits, sleeping habits, exercising habits which are consistent with their goals. Dieting conjures up an image of a quick hit, an immediate fix. Successful people recognise that it’s not so much to do with a two-week discipline, but more to do with changing habits. Faddy diets are definitely not the answer.
And, with regard to gym memberships, the comments made above about “spending time” and “wasting money” are relevant again here. Successful people invest in whatever it takes to achieve what they want; and if that’s fitness, then they will invest their resources to optimum effect. So it’s not about joining gyms, but about using gyms. And gyms might not be for you. So are there alternatives? Yes. And successful people rarely follow the herd!
9. Successful people don’t keep their options open.
But they do know the options, and then they commit to action on one of those options. Many people are afraid to commit to a particular plan or opportunity and so they decide to “keep their options open”… ie to not decide! Successful people recognise that more is lost through indecision than through the wrong decisions!
10. Successful people don’t have a daily “to do list”.
But they do have an “Action plan” every day. The “to do list” mentality describes drudgery, and the slog of getting lots done. Better to focus on the most important things and plan the day around those actions.