What does it take to succeed? In anything? I pose this question to you in hopes that you can understand me better and better yourself.
People want to succeed – they do. Inherently, of course. Doing whatever it takes to move forward is another story, and that – it seems – is where most fall short and seriously start to lack real accountability for their actions. Better yet, accountability for their LACK of action.
Here are my thoughts on how to take the right steps towards success and happiness.
- Accept criticism from your peers and superiors. If people are taking enough time to talk to you to help you “see the light” or whatever, listen with an open mind. Take notes. Don’t fight or make excuses, just listen. If justification for your behavior makes sense, plead your case, but don’t make excuses. People will always see you in a different light than you see yourself. If someone has been doing what you want to do long than you have, and possibly better, they have wisdom to share. BASK IN IT. Many times you will simply not like what you hear, and you may even disagree, but you can learn and grow from it. (Note: This does not mean “roll with the punches.”)
- Keep the lines of communication open. This one baffles me. I am presently in a situation where I simply need to talk to a person for a few minutes, but I’m getting the silent treatment due to some irrationality. If you keep your ears and eyes open, take a phone call, respond to an e-mail/text, you are at the very least facing the right direction for progress.
- Be accountable. Know when you messed up. Learn from it.
- Think big. Simply focusing on the little, day-to-day dramatics will not get you any closer towards the big payday. You do have to deal with the little stuff, of course, but don’t get swept away by it. It’s good to ask yourself, “Is this what I truly want to be doing? How is this getting me closer to my dreams?”
- Be happy. Sound stupid, right? It’s not. If you’re not happy, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Even if you have to make huge changes in your life that affect others, you deserve to be happy.
- Do, or do not. There is no try. Yoda is brilliant. Do something, or don’t. Don’t say you will and don’t. Don’t say you will and make a lame attempt. Do it, or go home.
- Accept your feelings. Sometimes you’re down. Sometimes you’re depressed. FEEL those emotions, let them pass through you. Resisting them is letting them persist even more. After you feel them, ask yourself, “Now what?” Solutions will always present themselves.
- Don’t take financial advice from broke people. This is a broader statement than you think. It simply means if you want to succeed in something, seek out others that have succeeded, and pick their brains and follow your path.
I could go on and on here, but let me be plain about something: nothing lasts forever. Your job, relationships, friendships, life, food, etc. Change is a constant in this universe, no matter what your beliefs are. It’s coming, and if you don’t adapt, you will lose your footing and get swept away.
There’s your Rawrbness for today. Pass it along, or die trying! 
