How to be successful

Have you ever noticed how quickly someone else’s words can become your own inner script? A throwaway comment, a warning, or a “who do you think you are?” can stay with us for years, quietly shaping what we believe is possible. But success often starts with noticing those old messages and choosing whether they still deserve a place in your life.
 
 

Have you ever heard any of the following, or something similar?

• “You can’t and you won’t.”
• “Stop dreaming and get real.”
• “Don’t have ideas above your station.”
• “In your dreams!”

Most of us experience some kind of limit to our dreams, and someone else may have sown the seed that we still water. It’s often intended as a way to keep our feet on the ground, or to prepare us for disappointment. But it’s not always the language that helps us grow.

The thing is, this kind of language can stick. It can eat into our motivation and make idea creation difficult, because we replay something from the past and allow it to hold us back.

If you want to be successful, what can you do?

Make a note of two or three successful people who are like you

A common mistake is to compare ourselves with people who are very different from us. Instead, choose people who are successful and have similar values to you. Notice what they did to get where they are.

Know what success looks like

It is easy to aim for something that is so far out of sight that you don’t really know what it will look like. Success is your process. Recognising what your version of success looks like can take you closer to your dreams.

Be clear about what you have and what you want

Success can be built on gratitude. When we feel grateful, we can put our minds in a more positive place. This can help us become more open to opportunities, which may then lead to more success.

Listen to your gut

Our gut instincts can communicate with us, and we need to listen. Let your gut be your guide. Learn to use it and become more in tune with it. Mindfulness can help with this.

Know when to say enough

Striving for more without noticing whether you already have enough can cause burnout and the loss of dreams. This “enough” is personal to you. So, before you shoot for the stars of your success, write down what enough will look like and let this be your guide.

This is just the beginning of your success. Enjoy the ride and remember to know what your successes look like.