Success is Not Instant
Everyone has a desire to be successful, yet so many of us don’t know what success means or how to achieve it. One of the most common obstacles that keeps people from being successful is the wish for instant success.
But the fact is that some things in life, such as success, don’t come easy or quickly. For many, the idea of overnight success is actually an obstacle. Having such thoughts makes people shortcut-minded and impatient, which impacts judgment and performance.
There are very few people who have experienced instant success. In fact, today’s most successful people have dedicated years of time, energy, and effort to perfect their craft. And it’s safe to say that many of them went through trial and error, disappointment, and unexpected obstacles.
So, what’s the lesson here? Instant success is a misconception. Instead of seeking instant success, enjoy the journey! The path to success may not be an easy one, but the ride is well worth it.
Avoid the “I want it all” mindset
The idea of instant success and having it all go hand-in-hand. Another critical life lesson is to understand that it’s impossible to have all of the good and none of the bad. Life is all about choices and when you say yes to one choice, you’re saying no to others.
Be grateful for what you have instead of falling into the mindset of wanting (and having) it all. You can definitely have your cake and eat it too, but not at the same time. Having it all means having success and disappointment; victory and defeat. It means taking the good with the bad and learning every step of the way.
10 tips for success
As a business owner, I know all too well about the want for instant success and gratification. But over the years, I have learned to embrace the journey and to take whatever life throws my way.
In the age of instant gratification, people are always looking for ways to “hack” life or to “hack” success. At the end of the day, the only “hack” you need to truly embrace is hard work. If you’re someone who takes shortcuts, you’ll find yourself dealing with plenty of shame and failure.
If you truly want to be successful in the long-term, you have to respect and take on all of life’s challenges. Here are 10 things I’ve learned along the way that can benefit entrepreneurs and business owners in any industry.
1. Embrace hard work. The only way to be successful is through hard work. Success requires patience, humility, resilience, and talent. No one is successful without putting in a little blood, sweat, and tears. Instead of chasing instant success, be willing to put in the time and effort to achieve your goals and dreams. Though it may be tempting, don’t always take the path of least resistance.
2. Build a solid network. Surround yourself with mentors and other successful people. As an entrepreneur, you want to have as many mentors and advisors as possible. Find people who are where you want to be and ask them for advice. Be willing to listen and always be willing to learn.
3. Be a leader. Even if you're a business of one, you should always position yourself to be a leader. Being a leader doesn't mean that you have the right answers in every situation. Instead, it means knowing where to look to find the answers. As a business owner, you'll have to make all sorts of tough decisions, which means that you need to be confident.
4. Have a business plan. Put your idea onto paper and envision how you will operate your business. You should not only know what your product or service is, but your business plan should also identify your target audience, your competitors, and your short and long-term business goals.
5. Build long-term relationships. The more quality relationships you have, the better. Relationships matter and it's crucial that you have a good repertoire with your customers. People do business with brands that they trust, know, and like. While it's important to grow your customer-base, it's even more important to nurture relationships with existing customers.
6. Stay motivated. Owning a business isn't always rainbows and butterflies. There will be some unexpected turns and roadblocks. Don't let them knock you off your path to success! When times get tough, stay motivated and keep your eye on the prize. Failure and challenges are inevitable. What's most important is how you react to them.
7. Deliver value. Customers want to do business with companies that deliver value. Successful entrepreneurs are on the journey for the long haul and aren't searching for a get-rich-quick scheme. To be successful, ensure that your business sells products or provides services that better the lives of your customers.
8. Never stop learning.
Voracious learners are more likely to be successful. No matter how old you are or how much experience you have in your industry, there's always something new to learn. Read books by successful entrepreneurs. Talk with your mentors and advisors. Even if these people aren't in the same field or industry as you, there's still much to learn from their successes and failures.
9. Be action-oriented. There will be times when you doubt yourself. The best thing you can do in this scenario is to push through the distractions and uncertainty. Take action and don't wait for things to be handed to you. Entrepreneurs that take on the hard work eventually find their path to success. Welcome challenges!
10. Be innovative. What works today may not work next week. As an entrepreneur, you want to be on your toes at all times. Position your company to win the innovative game. Though it can be scary, introduce fresh ideas and embrace chance. Accept new ways of doing business so that you can help your customers achieve even greater results.