I felt compelled to write a blog today about success and if there’s some sort of ‘recipe’ to share with others given that by mere serendipity (the name of my coaching practice btw) I’ve been experiencing crazy levels of success over these last few weeks’. Success is a concept that has long fascinated people for centuries. From ancient philosophers to modern self-help gurus (and no that is definitely not me), everyone has sought to understand the elusive formula that leads to the achievements and outcomes we are all seeking. But is there truly a universal recipe for success, or is it a more complex blend of individual ingredients? Let’s explore the elements often associated with success and consider whether a one-size-fits-all approach is not only realistic, but is it real.
The Common Ingredients
1. Hard Work Or Smart Work? Almost every successful person credits their achievements to hard work. Thomas Edison famously said, “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” I would more say that consistent effort and focussed dedication to specific tasks (think Wallace Wattles and doing things in a certain way) can indeed make a significant difference to the results we experience.
2. Be Passionate. Passion fuels persistence. When you love what you do, it never feels like work. Steve Jobs believed that passion was a key driver of success: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” So it’s truly important to find something that lights you up.
3. Resilience & Tenacity. Failure is a clear and present part of any success journey. The ability to bounce back from setbacks is crucial. Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, missed more than 9,000 shots in his career but never gave up. The key takeaway here is to keep getting up – irrespective of how many times you fall. So long as you continuing to love what you are doing and you have a clear picture of your goals, keeping on keeping on won’t be such a foreign concept.
4. Have A Vision For The Future. Having a clear goal and direction is essential (emphasis on the clear). Successful people oftentimes are visionaries which then guides their actions. Elon Musk, for example, has a vision of a multi-planetary existence for humans, which drives his ventures like SpaceX. What are you wanting to achieve? What is your end game?
5. Commitment To Continuous Learning. You’re either green and growing or brown and dying. The willingness to learn and adapt and be a lifelong student is a trait shared among successful individuals. Lifelong learning keeps you competitive and innovative and fresh and even studies have shown – young. Warren Buffet spends a significant portion of his day reading to expand his knowledge.
6. Community. Building strong relationships and having a supportive network around us opens doors and provide opportunities that might not be otherwise available. Oprah Winfrey’s success is partly attributed to her ability to connect with and inspire others. Remember also that we are the sum total of the 5 people we spend the most amount of time with. Be like an eagle and soar – don’t surround yourself with turkeys.
The Unique Ingredients
While the common ingredients provide a foundation, the unique blend of personal experiences, circumstances, and individual traits adds complexity to the recipe. Here are some unique factors that can influence success:
- Timing. Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is crucial. Mark Zuckerberg’s rise with Facebook was partly due to him being in the right place at the right time surrounded by the right people. Serendipity some might say.
- Luck. Luck can play a role, though it’s unpredictable and I would even go so far as to say, highly unlikely. While you can’t control luck, you can maximize your chances by staying prepared and open to all possibilities and opportunities. I don’t personally believe in luck – I believe in creating one’s own luck and we all have the capability to choose in every moment of every day.
- Mindset. A growth mindset, as proposed by psychologist Carol Dweck, can – and I would say most times – significantly impact success. Believing that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and consistent smart work fosters resilience and a love for learning. In my personal experience, being in a consistently positive mindset is 80% of success.
- Health. Physical and mental health are often overlooked but are crucial to sustaining long-term success. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle ensures that you have the energy and focus needed for your pursuits. It goes hand in hand with a positive, growth mindset – the more often you remain in that headspace, the better equipped you are to give your body of operating at its optimal.
Is there Really A Universal ‘Recipe’ Or One Size Fits All Approach?
While there are common ingredients that many successful people share, there is no such thing as a universal recipe for success. Each individual’s journey is unique, influenced by a combination of persistent smart work, passion, resilience and tenacity, vision, continuous learning, community, timing, luck, mindset, and overall health.
Success is more of an art than a science, a blend of deliberate and purposeful effort and many external and internal factors. Understanding and leveraging your unique strengths, while staying open to learning and adapting, can support you in honing your own craft in creating your own path to success. Ultimately, the journey is as important as the destination in taking away the learnings and implementing and adapting to change along the way and finding fulfillment, peace and joy in the process is a success in itself.
For more information about the digital business solution I work which has been a huge contributor to my own personal success, find out more here: www.lovemylifestyle.com.au