The Mystery

Of Success

Consistent high performers share four common traits

» Positive attitude and mindset

» Extraordinary work ethic

» Excellent skill set; and

» 360-degree on-the-job knowledge

Positive attitude and mindset

Your attitude can make or break you.

In this age of intensified competition and constant change in the workplace, many people are highly charged emotionally and constantly stretched. However, many of these so-called "stresses" could be overcome simply by tweaking your mindset. When you change your thinking, you change your results.

Have you ever made a no-holds-barred analysis of your own attitude? Involve others in your analysis to get a more accurate picture. There are people who accuse others of poor attitude but they are guilty of it themselves.

First, recognize that a negative attitude is often the result of frustration. You can consciously develop ways of thinking that put you in control.

Take time off every day to review and reflect on what you have done that day, and what you could have done more productively and effectively.

Extraordinary work ethic

All successful professionals know that this is a major key to success, but what exactly does extraordinary mean?

Extraordinary does not mean that you have to exhaust yourself every day. That is not extraordinary. That is kidding yourself and compromising on other important aspects of your life.

The key is to do whatever it takes to get the results you want - without compromising your integrity and hurting others. 

Doing whatever it takes can mean:

» Starting earlier in the day

» Devoting time to plan and execute your task

» Scheduling time for important and urgent things, as well as those that are not urgent but are important

» Following through on all projects

» Thinking of new ways to become more effective and efficient in the things you do

» Continuing to give your best, even if you achieved success early in the day; and

» Remembering the classic motto: "I will do one more task".

The major difference between average and excellent performers is that excellent performers are willing and determined to do whatever it takes to get the job done… and done right.

Excellent skill set

A young man took on a job chopping trees. The first day he chopped down 10 trees. He decided to try to earn more by starting work two hours earlier. To his surprise, he only managed to chop down 13 trees - a marginal increase. He woke up even earlier the following day, but only managed to chop 12 trees. This went on for the next two days, with him skipping lunches and breaks, and finishing work later than anyone else. Strangely, his numbers kept dropping or stayed stagnant. Frustrated, he consulted his boss, who asked: "Have you sharpened your blade?"

Make learning a way of life. If something is important to you, you will find the time to do it. Review how you are performing from time to time. Do not wait till the end of the year and get a shock from your appraisal. Take an inventory of your skill set and identify what else you need to learn to take you to the next level.

Your organization, colleagues and superiors expect your skills to be as sharp and professional as they can be. So don't get rusty! There is a whole selection of learning tools available for use anywhere.

Professionals who are consistently successful do not think they know it all. They know that excellent foundation skills are critical to their success. They are also eager to learn from customers, associates and colleagues, and through self-directed initiatives. 

360-degree on-the-job knowledge.

Knowledge is power. You should know everything about your position and your job.

This includes knowing why your job was created, what it does and how it contributes to the ecology of the department and the organization. When you know these basics, you can then work on giving yourself an edge. Think about what you can do to add value to the job.

Surface knowledge will not cut it. Total knowledge gives you the solid foundation not just to perform, but also to perform at peak.

A career budget puts you in a better position to adjust your career strategy and career plan so that at the end of the year you would have attained most, if not all, items on your career agenda. A career budget may appear a complex concept but it is a simple and very effective tool to help you take personal responsibility in developing and effectively managing your career.  Isn't it time you got started?