2. Accomplishments are based on actions, not on thoughts--yet the
thought is always father to the deed. Achievement starts with an
idea, a perspective, a point of view, or even just an attitude. Here
are some of the things remarkable people think every day, and how
those thoughts spur them to take the actions that lead to success.
3. 1. Volunteer to always win
Doing more creates an opportunity to learn, to impress, to gain skills, to
build new relationships. Success is based on action, so the more you
volunteer, the more you get to act, and the more opportunities you create.
Raise your hand. Step forward. Step up. You'll be glad you did.
4. 2. Look at other’s actions deeper..
It's easy to view the actions of others solely through the lens of how
that behavior impacts us, especially if those actions impact us
negatively. Most people aren't out to get you. Fail to look deeper and
you miss an opportunity to make a bad situation better -- for everyone.
5. 3. Overcome your fear
Yet nothing ever turns out to be as hard or as scary as you think. Plus it's
incredibly exciting to overcome a fear. You get that, "I can't believe I just
did that!" Try something scary: physically, mentally, or emotionally. Trust
yourself to figure out how to overcome any problems that arise. You will.
6. 4. Pick one thing other people won’t do
Whatever it is, do it. Instantly you'll be a little different from the rest of
the pack. Then keep going. Every day, think of one thing to do that no
one else is willing to do. After a week you'll be uncommon. After a
month you'll be special. After a year you'll be incredible, and you
definitely won't be like anyone else.
7. 5. Take action now
You have nothing until you actually do something. Every day we let
hesitation and uncertainty stop us from acting on our ideas. Pick one plan,
one goal, or one idea. And get started. Just take one small step. The first
step is by far the hardest. Every successive step will be a lot easier.
8. 6. Never speak just to please yourself
Truly confident people don't feel the need to talk -- at all. I still sometimes
realize I'm talking not because the other person is interested in what I have
to say but because I'm interested in what I have to say. Never speak just to
please yourself; when you do you end up pleasing no one.
9. 7. Ask people for help
Admitting we need isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of self-confidence
and strength. Besides, asking another person for help instantly recognizes
their skills and values and conveys your respect and admiration. And while
that's reason enough to ask someone for advice, for an opinion, or for a
helping hand, you also get the help you really need.
10. 8. Offer your help to others
So offer, but don't just say, "Is there anything I can help you with?" Be
specific. Say, "I've got a few minutes, can I help you finish (that)?"
Offer in a way that feels collaborative, not patronizing or gratuitous.
Then you take a big step towards creating a genuine connection them.
11. 9. Live life your way
If you really want to start a business but worry that people
might say you're crazy, do it anyway. Pick one thing you haven't
tried because you're concerned about what other people think
or say, and just go do it. It's your life. Live it your way.
12. 10. “If it is to be, it’s up to me”
No matter what our role or what we've accomplished, we're never too
good to roll up our sleeves, get dirty, and do a little grunt work. No job
is ever too menial, no task too unskilled or boring. In a world of
relentless delegation, sometimes, "If it is to be, it's up to me," is still
the best attitude to take.
13. 11. Create perceived insults
I'm ashamed to admit it, but one of the best ways to motivate me is to
insult me... Justified is not the point; fueling my motivation to do
whatever it takes to prove that person wrong and, more importantly,
achieve what I want to achieve is all that matters. Call it creating
perceived insults... but it works for me, and it also works for you.
14. 12. Work, Finish, Let Go, Work Harder
Work hard, do great work, and let it go. Your customers will tell you
what needs to be improved, and that means you'll get to make
improvements that actually matter. You can't accomplish anything until
you let go. Do your best, let go - and then trust that you'll work hard to
overcome any shortcomings.
15. 13. Find your role model of success
Pick someone who has accomplished what you would like to accomplish
and follow that path. Confident people are able to recognize excellence
in others, because it does take self-confidence to admit someone else is
smarter, better, faster, etc. than we are. Don't feel the need to reinvent
perfectly good wheels.
16. 14. Do what others haven’t done yet
Most successful people don't succeed simply because they're
smarter, more talented, or genetically gifted. Usually the one
thing that makes them different from us is the fact they have
done what we haven't done yet.
17. 15. Not expect to be perfect, but better
Successful people don't expect to be perfect, but they do think they can
always be better. Think about your day. Think about what went well. Then
think about what didn't go as well as it could have. Take responsibility.
And promise yourself that tomorrow, you will do a lot better.
18. 16. Learn to say “YES”
Sitting tight also means that tomorrow will be just like today. Say yes
to something different. Say yes to something scary. Say yes to the
opportunity you're most afraid of. When you say yes, you're really
saying, "I trust myself." Trust yourself.
19. 17. Dare to say “NO”
Sometimes you really need to be able to focus on what is important to
you. Say no at least once every day, the harder it is to say the better.
When your heart is in the right place, what you accomplish by spending
more time on your goals will eventually benefit other people, too.
20. 18. Stay true to yourself
Maintaining your integrity is vital, but there's a big difference between
staying true to yourself and "just being me." Recognize the things you do or
say with the sole purpose of showing you're an individual - and then vow to
do those things on your own time (if at all.) What you "are" is defined by
what you do. Stand out through what you do for others.
21. 19. Put more effort & persistence
You may not be as experienced, as well funded, as well connected, as
talented... but you can always out think, out hustle, and out work
everyone else. When everything else seems against you, effort and
persistence can always be your competitive advantages -- and maybe
the only ones you truly need.
22. If your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more, do more and become more, you
are a leader. - John Quincy Adams
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