There are no secrets to success

• Success has no secrets: it comes from preparation, consistent hard work and learning from failure, as this reflection reminds us.

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.

Colin Powell (1937-?) American soldier and politician.

 

Success, as most people define it, requires a set of qualities that are common to most successful individuals.

There is much debate about the role luck plays in this process, but I agree with those who believe that “luck” perhaps only puts you in the right place at the right time; hard work, the ability to overcome failure, rise from the ashes and carry on with faith in God, passion and a positive attitude are what determine whether we achieve our goals and succeed in whatever we undertake.

Below I share with you a series of attributes that different studies have identified in successful individuals.

• Ambition/Passion. Do you set yourself challenging yet achievable goals and objectives? Do you continually seek to improve your prospects, yourself and your work? Do you commit and make the necessary effort to achieve your goals?

• Initiative/Focus. Do you take control of your decisions to achieve the desired goal? Do you stay focused on what you set out to do, without getting distracted along the way?

• Self-confidence and integrity. Do you take responsibility and feel capable of successfully completing serious work independently, or with the minimum supervision necessary? Do you act with integrity and honesty?

 

• Positive attitude. Do you face life’s challenges with an enthusiastic, positive and steadfast attitude?

• How do you organise your thoughts? How do you plan to achieve the success you long for?

• Perseverance. Do you tackle problems with determination and consistency? Do you avoid giving up on your projects easily when circumstances become difficult?

• Collaborative spirit. Do you work well with others? Do you make new friends and keep in touch with your network of contacts?

 

• Communication skills. Are you effectively persuasive? Can you express yourself clearly and forcefully to influence others?

• Emotional stability. Do you keep negative emotions such as anger, depression and impulsiveness under control?

• Professional development. Do you keep your knowledge up to date?

• Creativity/Innovation. Do you continually look for new ways of doing things to keep improving your performance, contributing as much creativity as possible?

 

I invite you to reflect on this topic, define your goals, consider how you measure success and what you would need to develop to consider yourself capable of succeeding and achieving what you set out to do.

Although luck is not the deciding factor, I wish you the kind of luck that is born of Passion, Commitment and Focus.