How To Be Unsuccessful

I have spent considerable time studying successful habits. I’m addicted to learning the simple secrets of personal and professional success. I read books, listen to podcasts, go old-school sometimes and listen to CDs, and, of course, I still try to learn from mentors and coaches.

The secret of most successful men and women lies in the simplicity, commitment, and discipline of continuous learning.

However, studying the elements of success alone gives us only half the lesson. It’s just as important to identify and understand the mindsets and actions of the unsuccessful. The lessons are out there. In fact, many of the lessons come from our own lives if we’re willing to admit them. In my global coaching practice, I work with entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives who unnecessarily struggle. Their crime is failing to honor their past. In other words, they have not learned from their successes or failures, leaving no lessons to apply going forward.

I’ve experienced this behavior firsthand and have watched it either empower or devastate an individual’s future.

I believe I’ve identified more than 30 ways to ensure failure. Here are just a few items from that list.

1. Be a Repeat offender: Some of us make mistakes and never analyze what happened. Others will take the time to explore exactly what happened, how it will never happen again, and then move forward. We can successfully learn from error. Others make mistakes and know nothing, repeating the same mistake. A repeat offender never learns and improves.
2. Hanging with the (wrong) buds: We are what we think about most of the time. We become our environment. If you spend time with friends, relatives, or colleagues who are negative, you will become negative too. Unsuccessful people are surrounded by negativity and do nothing about it. Be aware of who you spend time with and make changes if necessary. You’ll see immediate improvements in your attitude and your income when you hang with those who share the determination to be constantly in a mode of learning.
3. Waiting for something to happen: Ask yourself if you’re responding to the issues and challenges of life, or if you’re anticipating the challenges and being proactive with your life. There’s a big difference. If you’re waiting for the phone to ring or for something to happen so you can try to fix it, then you’re deeply mired in a reactionary state of mind. You’re a firefighter, and you’re not helpful unless there is a fire to put out. Sure, you’ll make mistakes when you’re proactive, but at least you’re taking action and making things happen rather than waiting for them to happen.
4. You’re always late: Unsuccessful people are always late, and they always have an excuse. In most personal and business situations, being late is a sign of disrespect for time. Being late shows disrespect for your client/prospect’s time, and it is perceived as a lack of respect for your own time. Being late represents disorganization and a lack of planning. Being on time, in turn, shows respect for all involved, personal organization, and pride.
5. Entitlement: If you honestly believe that the world owes you something, please take a moment and sit down. I’m about to give you some critical advice. Ok, ready? Here you go. The world owes you nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. You must earn whatever you have, no matter how old you are, what degrees you hold, or how wealthy you might be. You must be tenacious, disciplined, skilled, and focused. You must be willing to learn for the rest of your life. You must be goal-driven and hungry. If you’re not, you have no one to blame but yourself.

I’ve mentioned this before, but a favorite saying of one of my most wise mentors was, “The world is full of educated derelicts. Knowledge is not power. The application of knowledge is power.”  Many of the most successful people I know have achieved their success simply by being willing to go one step further than others. They work harder, they’re eager to adapt and change, they’re disciplined, and they never, ever stop learning.  An unsuccessful life is not something that you’re born with. It’s not in your DNA.

It is a choice.

So, what choice have you made?

 

Dan is a leading authority on foundational and advanced business development, personal development, and start-up businesses. Coach Dan is also a highly regarded international Sales trainer, keynote speaker, workshop and seminar leader, Business Turnaround expert, and corporate trainer.