Achieving success - getting there and going on with it
Author: Stan Alves | Date: 12 Mar 2014
Stan Alves
OAM
Take home messages
- Never stop learning.
- Embrace change.
- Realise the importance of team work.
- Make sure you have the right people on your team.
- Plan.
- Goals are important.
As I travel our great country I am acutely aware that people in all walks of life are under enormous pressure to perform. Be it from their business, education, sport, family and/or personal areas of life.
Add to this the negativity and pessimism continually heaped upon us:
- times will be tough;
- we are in for a bad year;
- confidence is down; and
- so on...
All of this tests our motivation to achieve not only our desired outcome but our ability to lead a meaningful and balanced lifestyle.
So what can we do?
Let me start by saying this... 'You are not alone' and 'Don’t take it personally'.
I don’t know your business but I understand tough times. We will all experience adversity and tough times. Successful people will not encounter fewer problems than the unsuccessful.
However, it is not what happens to us that is important; it is what we do about it. It is only when we gain strength through adversity that we begin to get the best out of ourselves.
So let us look at some things we can do to help us achieve success and continue on with it. These are based on my own experiences and my observations of successful people, teams, companies and organisations that keep on keeping on... in all walks of life.
Recognition
Congratulations on your performance to date. It is important to recognise our achievements and celebrate and reward ourselves. If we don't, we devalue our efforts and those we work with.
The ability to take time
To step back… take a deep breath... appraise... and refocus.
Get ready
Be pro-active. Have a vision. Know where you want to be, when you want to be there and what it will look like when you get there.
To this end don't get caught up in events and do not get side tracked.
Never stop learning
Don't think you know it all. Study all areas. Look outside your area of operation. Be open to ideas. Be a student not a follower.
Embrace change
What we have done in the past may not be good enough to meet the demands of the future. Change is inevitable... growth is optional. Change is difficult; so be prepared to get out of your comfort zone. Initiative and innovation will be paramount.
Have faith in yourself
Remain positive. Challenge your belief systems. We can all get better individually and collectively. Clear any negative thoughts and limiting decisions.
The importance of team work
Realise that as good as we are individually if we work together we will achieve more. Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision; the ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organisational objectives. It is the fuel that allows ordinary people to attain extraordinary results.
Make sure you have the right people on your team. Talent and ability is important but will not be enough. Make sure we are all united in what we stand for, and have a culture built on strong personal values.
The importance of goals
Dare to dream. This is about vision, having a sense of purpose. Goals are not only the things we want and focus on, but they become the reason for doing things. The stronger your goals the greater your ability to do the things that will cause others to stop. Only those who really want something will make the necessary sacrifices.
When a problem occurs, those without goals concentrate on the problem while those with goals work on the solution.
Understand that people don’t do their best by being told. Make sure the aims of the individual match the aims of the team.
Need to plan
Ask yourself; what do we need to do to achieve what we want? This is about preparation, getting it right so we have the best chance of achieving our goals. Not just working harder but also working smarter… time management.
Establish the key performance indicators (KPIs). Get everything in order of priority. Make sure what you are doing is going to get you what you want.
Stay focused and don’t get side tracked
Understand the importance of review. Plans must be dynamic. Changes and events will occur. Don't give up on your goals. Review your planning.
Be a hero every day
Meaningful review, 3 step model:
- What did i/we do well?
- What could i/we have done better?
- What do i/we need to do now?
Ensure continual improvement and unlock creativity.
Beware your toughest opponent
Learn how to handle adversity and setbacks. Develop persistence and personal resilience.
Don't pass the buck or blame others
Work on the things you can control.
Success is always preceded by mistakes; they are the stepping stones to success.
Remember...
It is not what happens to you that counts; it is what you do about it that is important.
Be proactive, not reactive.
Got a problem?
- Acknowledge it.
- Diminish it by comparison.
- Participate in the solution.
Summary
Bring this all together and you will have a strategy that will help you achieve your desired outcome and provide you with a positive attitude and enthusiasm even in the tough times.
Contact details
Stan Alves
Was this page helpful?
YOUR FEEDBACK