What’s in your recipe for success? Here’s mine…
After two coffee catch ups recently, with business owners who are very experienced in their chosen fields, I was surprised to find that they both shared a similar trait that contradicted my definition of a successful, driven person.
Both these managers expressed an intense reluctance to learn anything new. They criticised not only traditional education and short courses, but saw no use in having a mentor of any kind. One colleague explained, “I’ve been doing this a long time, my business is good, what on earth could I learn from a so-called expert? What could someone possibly teach me that I don’t know already?” Unfortunately this attitude flowed onto the team of staff they managed. “I don’t want to send my staff to educational sessions. It wastes time when they could be working”
I would argue that despite their business success so far, their view on learning (in all forms) may hold them back in a number of ways…
Neglecting any form of learning in your life:
Slows personal (and professional) growth – You might eventually discover or work new things out for yourself, but it’s a slower path that involves a lot more mistakes through trial and error.
Limits opportunities – Learning from a mentor, an expert or course widens our field of opportunities and networks. We discover new ideas, new ways of doing things, new facts, new people and new role models/mentors.
Reduces job/life satisfaction – Without interesting challenges, regular achievements, creative ideas, fulfilling relationships and meaningful work, life becomes lacklustre at best, and downright drudgery at worst.
It got me thinking about the people I admire most. A ‘recipe for success’ if you will.
The most successful and fulfilled people in my life all share the following traits.
They:
- Recognise that they don’t know everything
- Are open to new ideas
- Learn regularly (whether it’s from reading, taking courses, having a mentor)
- Surround themselves with inspiring, positive people
- Really listen
- Have at least one meaningful project in their life
- Set regular goals
- Support the goals of those around them
- Celebrate their own achievements and those of others
- If something isn’t working, they try new ways to approach the problem
- Don’t give up easily
- Review the past, plan for the future and fully enjoy the present
- Balance their time to reflect their values and priorities
- Act honestly and ethically, in alignment with their values
These elements seem to me the recipe for success, whether it’s in your work, your fitness, your study or even your relationships with others.
What have I missed? What common traits do you see in the successful, happy people you admire in your life?
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- Week 4 – Health & Fitness Blitz – Improve your relationship with food
Posted in: Fitness, Goal Setting, Mind body by healthy on 1st February 2012
3 Comments
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Totally agree – it is pretty phenomenal that there are people around in this day and age that dont believe in self betterment. I feel sorry for their employees. You could suggest that the manager is actually deskilling his/her work force as they are not updating their education.
Another quality of a successful person is that they love what they do. I would argue that it would be a rare person that was successful and hated their career
Cheers, Jackie
Great article Jodie, mentors are so underrated.
We are lucky in our industry to have close personal contact with successful people that we would never get to speak to in our personal lives.
Too many trainers let those opportunities go to waste.
Hi Dave, Thanks for reading and commenting. I think most people are much more approachable than we imagine. Shouting someone a coffee or giving them a quick call is a simple way to ask for some advice – I think most people are flattered and excited by the opportunity to help someone with less experience.