Do you know what the problem is with asking successful people for advice? They don't always know why they are successful - but they'll give you all the reasons you want. I once watched an 100-year-old man explain that smoking every day was the secret to his longevity. It would be great to know why he lived so long, but I'm pretty sure we won't learn by asking him.
Don't Listen To Success - Model It
Don't do as they say, but rather do as they do. That is the way to learn success from the successful. A wealthy real estate investor once told me he didn't believe in setting goals. Only later in the conversation did I realize that he knew just where he expected to be with his projects in six months. That's goal-setting - he just called the process something else.
Don't stop listening to what successful people have to say - but read between the lines. Look at their words for insight into how they think about things, how they approach their challenges. A successful basketball player might only advise you to practice more, but if he mentions "I saw that going in," after a great shot, start visualizing your shots going in.
Copy Everything At First
Sometimes we won't know what is causing a person's succcess. I once tried to exchange links with other websites, but the owners didn't respond to my emails. Then I found a letter used by a successful internet marketer to get links. It sounded silly to me, and I wanted to change it, but the first time I tried it, it worked.
At first, it may be best to just copy many of the actions, attitudes and approaches of someone who is succeeding. As you learn, you can drop those parts that aren't contributing, and add elements of your own. Model a successful parent, for example, and don't worry if you don't know right away which changes have made life with your children so much better.
You may not ever understand why some things work, but you don't need to, do you? Better to have success than to explain it. So do what they do, not what they say.
Steve Gillman writes on many self help topics including boosting brainpower, losing weight, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, learning gratitude, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. You'll find more at http://www.SelfImprovementNow.com
Two weeks ago we took a look at the power... Read More
"Perseverance allows you to get back on track when you... Read More
Think back to a time in your life when you... Read More
It's not new news. It's not some ethereal theory. It's... Read More
Last month Along The Purpose Path was about how to... Read More
Why everything has to be so hard? What have I... Read More
The other day I went shopping at the local consumer... Read More
All too often, we push ourselves past the limits of... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --What are the sharpest... Read More
As I have worked with people over the years I... Read More
Do you have what it takes to be really successful?Have... Read More
Imagine that right now, right here, today? there is within... Read More
There are those out there who would lead us to... Read More
I started taking stock of my year in 2002. I... Read More
One of the first things most of us remember hearing... Read More
Jack Nichlaus was asked if there are really talented golfers... Read More
Success starts in your mind. Positive Thinking creates the advantage.Success... Read More
One of the hallmarks of all successful and high achieving... Read More
Get ready to sail the Seven C's - the Seven... Read More
A wonderful quote by author and scholar William A. Ward... Read More
Critics can destroy or inspire you. Your own self critic... Read More
Napoleon Hill coined the concept of the mastermind alliance in... Read More
A person who is illiterate can look at a word... Read More
In a recent article (What is The Ultimate Lifestyle), I... Read More
The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The... Read More
As a professional speaker, father and business owner I often... Read More
Never settle for what you can currently imagine You are... Read More
Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonalds, was over fifty when... Read More
We own a home on the island of Puerto Rico... Read More
If you're so smart, why ain't you rich?Becoming a millionaire... Read More
You teach others how to treat you by how you... Read More
When Julie looks through the lens of her camera she... Read More
Thoughts are very powerful. An intention held long and hard... Read More
How do you define success?According to the Collins dictionary, success... Read More
Congratulations! You are the president of your own nation, and... Read More
If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More
People often ask me, "Josh, if you had one bit... Read More
Success could be just about making money, but I think... Read More
There are times when we feel we should take action,... Read More
Choose a personal theme song and soundtrack that stirs you... Read More
Freedom is the deeper meaning, the foundation behind all of... Read More
Imagine being firmly committed to your deepest ambitions. Imagine feeling... Read More
To take the online road to success is not, contrary... Read More
With three kids, a business, a husband with a business,... Read More
Formula For SuccessThe winners in this life know the rules... Read More
Jobs are heating up. We're all feeling the pinch of... Read More
If it comes to the question what we really want... Read More
The need to be successful. This is the bottom line... Read More
Have you ever wondered why you're not where you want... Read More
Hello,You are reading this article because you are one of... Read More
I wrote an article on this very subject, with the... Read More
To have a high probability of becoming prosperous, you have... Read More
Have you ever thought about how you want to live,... Read More
I always say to my children, as long as you... Read More
Your ability to deal constructively and effectively with mistakes and... Read More
Have you ever noticed when playing a video game, or... Read More
Wealthy people share common traits. That's why they are wealthy.... Read More
It is accepted that most people have felt shy at... Read More
Your personal image: It's the most important YOU asset you... Read More
Unless you have been living in a cave, you have... Read More
Routinely, I rise out of bed before the birds, and... Read More
Any person who goes through life without experiencing failure is... Read More
If you are like me you have probably lost a... Read More
There are those out there who would lead us to... Read More
Have you ever wondered if there was a way to... Read More
Don't expect results over night - what??If you were to... Read More
Success |