In this Edition
1. Getting To the Top of Your Field
2. Portrait of an Achiever
3. Inspirational Quotes
4. Recommended Reading
Getting to the Top of Your Field
Truly Define What You Want
What is it you really want to achieve in your chosen profession, business, or area of expertise? What is in your heart? These are the million dollar questions that only you can answer. These are also two important questions when it comes to getting to the top. It takes some serious soul searching and honesty with yourself. What is important to you? How will your decision affect your family dynamics? What are your values? Where do you see yourself in the future?
Getting to the top means knowing what your passion is and living your values when it comes to the work that you do.
Be Willing To Pay the Price
Once you have determined the answers to the questions above, realize there will be a price to pay to achieve it, sacrifices will have to be made, and in most cases it won’t be all smooth sailing. You need to ask yourself: Are you willing to pay that price?
Discipline is Key
If you have discipline, you will be way ahead of the crowd. Discipline means staying at it, especially when the going gets tough, being single minded and laser focused on your objectives at all times. Discipline means never, ever giving up.
Attitude Is Everything
I know attitude is not a sexy word these days. It is so overused, but the old saying is true: “Attitude is everything.” Attitude will really determine how far you go in life. Your attitude and how you interact with others tells people much about you. Your ability will get you started, motivation will drive you but ultimately your attitude will determine how far you go. A positive attitude may not guarantee you success in your field, but I guarantee you that a negative attitude will ensure failure.
Consistency
Having discipline is terrific, but you also have to be consistent with that discipline to get to the top. You have to show up, dig down deep on those bad days, and make no excuses. Consistency has to be part and parcel of who you are; in your DNA.. When I was recently training for my first half marathon, I had to consistently get up 5 mornings a week to train. I had to stick consistently to my program. Was it easy? Of course not. It never is. We are all busy, but when you really want to do something in your heart of hearts, you can do it. One of the most important traits I see in people who get to the top of their field is they are consistent in their day-to-day work, how they live their values, and their commitment to their goals.
Be Pro-Active
This may seem obvious but many people just sit around and wait for things to happen. Like the magic pill, in most cases this doesn’t work. Successful people in any field, who want to get to the top, do not wait for things to happen. They are pro-active, movers and shakers, on top of things, and constantly “on the ball”, looking for the next opportunity. They have the courage to risk rejection and failure, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make things happen.
Strive For Excellence
Do not accept second best from yourself. Strive to be the best you can be. Accept only the highest standards from yourself. Set the bar high and demand that you give everything your best effort. Be prepared to look in the mirror every night and know you did everything possible that particular day to move toward your goals. Excellence is about learning and moving forward, not perfection.
Perfection is a form of procrastination. It can result in holding back because of never wanting to make a mistake. Excellence, I believe, is the ability and the courage to want to learn from one’s mistakes. Never, never confuse the two.
Portait of an Achiever
Failed in Business-Bankruptcy, 1831
Defeated for Legislature, 1832
Failed in Business-Bankruptcy again, 1834
Tragic Family Loss, 1835
Nervous Breakdown, 1836
Defeated in Election, 1838
Defeated for U.S. Congress, 1843
Defeated again for U.S. Congress, 1846
Defeated for a third time for U.S. Congress, 1848
Defeated for U.S. Vice President, 1856
Defeated again for U.S. Senate, 1858
ABRAHAM LINCOLN – Elected President of the U.S.A…………1860
“You will pass failure on the way to your success”
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
“ Kick and scream to stay in the company of champions” Charles Marcus
“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you will be doomed if you do not try” Aristotle
RECOMMENDED READING
Growing Your Business by Mark Le Blanc
This is a really easy read and simple practical book for business owners and professionals who want to sell more products and services. It is a small book, less than 80 pages, but do not let that fool you. It is jam packed with great ideas.
Made To Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Thank you to my speaker colleague David Zinger for recommending this book to me. There are six key qualities you will learn in this book, whether you are a CEO or a full-time mum. This New York Times Bestselling book has great ideas that you need to communicate a new product coming to market, a strategy you want to sell or maybe values you are trying to instill in your children.
Copyright
Permission is granted to reproduce this newsletter in whole or in part provided the following byline below appears along with the article and that a copy is sent to me after publication. Thank you: To check previous issues for publication, please go to www.cmarcus.com and click on articles/newsletters.
Charles Marcus is an international motivational speaker. To subscribe to his FREE success newsletter, please send an email to subscribe@cmarcus.com. An electronic copy will be sent out to you every month. For more information on how Charles, his book and his programs can benefit your organization or group, please call 905-847-2323. Toll-Free in North America at 1-800-837-0629, or visit his website: www.cmarcus.com
