Some people seem destined for success while others wallow in mediocrity for entire lifetimes. Why is that? Do some lucky folks have a ‘certain something’ that allows them to be successful?…

Ask anyone who is truly successful and they’ll dissuade you of this notion very quickly.

After studying success and the wisdom of powerful mentors in depth for over a decade, I can tell you with confidence that it is not inborn talent nor ability that leads to success – it is the cultivation of certain attitudes, behaviors, habits and skills. Even (especially?!) superstars need to hone their craft, giving equal importance to their inner and outer game – they need to practice and improve consistently for many years before they become superstars. This is fantastic news, as it means that anyone can achieve outrageous success. We can all cultivate greatness in our fields, and in our lives.

The first step is to learn what to do and what to avoid. It’s the avoiding part we deal with in this article, as all too often these are things your boss and your friends will not usually mention, but which can hold you back from ever achieving the success you desire. Take note of the following and adjust as you see fit. I’m just the messenger!

1. Smoking -When you go outside to have a cigarette, you come in reeking like smoke whether you realize it or not. No breath mints and no body spray can hide the distinct smell a smoker wafts about. Be aware that this may be limiting you. There are certain and clients your boss cannot send you to, and certain situations where it’s just not going to make a good impression to have a smoker attend, and this can be killing an otherwise potentially stellar career (not to mention an otherwise stellar person!). This isn’t discrimination – it’s the truth. If you’re going to smoke, try and do so outside of business hours and situations entirely.
2. Dress – As the old saying goes, dress for the position you want, not the position you have. This is true and definitely bears repeating here. Ensure your business dress is impeccable, whether it’s a fast food uniform or a full-fledged power suit. Make sure your outfit is clean and your shoes are clean and polished. Never dress provocatively or in a silly manner. Lean towards the conservative and clean-cut when in doubt. As an overall guideline, visualize the successful person you want to be, and dress that way. How can your boss ever see you as capable of more if you don’t look the part? [I will have a new book out soon addressing this very subject, as it is a very important subject which seems to get under-covered. How you dress and present yourself is extremely important to your career success. Look for DRESS FOR CAREER SUCCESS soon!]
3. Socializing, gossiping - Remember that you are always being observed and act with integrity at all times. Show courtesy and professionalism in every situation and to everyone with whom you interact. Never gossip at the proverbial water cooler – not only does this speak badly of your character, it also makes you look like a slacker. Don’t believe me? What do you think of other people who do this?…Now, for socializing: while this is a vast subject unto itself, there are two golden rules. 1) Do not attend too many non-business functions and don’t make a fool of yourself. Eg. Don’t go out for beers with the guys at work every weekday evening and get rip-roaring drunk. 2) Do attend business-related functions and mingle. Use these as opportunities to get to know your industry and its players, and to learn how things work, as well as to make contacts and goods impressions. Aim to come into work the next day and have your boss say “Wow, Johnson, you made a great impression at the dinner last night. I received some compliments on you. Great job!”
4. Mentality – Do you do whatever it takes to get a job done and done well, or do you grumble and complain and say things like ‘It’s not my job.’ In other words, are you a slacker? Most slackers don’t think they are. Do you have a bad attitude, and maybe even blame it on the company? Remember that your work is a reflection of YOU – no one and nothing else. Ask yourself, do I always perform at my best? Do I turn in my work on time and do I do that extra something when I see it’s needed (ie. without being prompted)? Am I the most efficient, hardest-working employee in my company? If a boss needed something done right, and was looking for a reliable, capable person, would that person be me?
5. Who do you identify with? - This tip is somewhat similar to the ‘dress for the position you want’ tip, but different as well. Have you ever noticed how ‘underlings’ gather together and talk about the boss or manager? If you want to move up, do not be an underling. While you may be temporarily holding an underling-type position, you will not stay there for long with ambition like yours. Be sure you observe how management behaves, what their concerns are and how people are expected to perform in your company. This does not mean act like a jerk if your boss acts like a jerk; it means think on a management or executive level and identify with the upper level of your company or business. Try pretending to yourself that you own the business as you make your rounds, and observe what is working and what isn’t. Strive to see the big picture and how you – and everyone else – fit/s into it. Keep watch on your industry and the marketplaces which are relevant. In this way, not only will you make yourself a more valuable employee, you’ll be able to make intelligent conversation with the upper executives when necessary. Believe me, this will make you stand out from the crowd.

These choices form key components of the impression you make on people in your work environment: co-workers, clients and potential  customers, and most importantly, your boss/es.

The best thing you can do for yourself, in any career or line of work, is to cultivate a success mentality. No matter how successful, we should all strive for continuous and intentional improvement in our attitude, social skills, and success orientation. It does not matter whether you are flipping burgers at McDonald’s or selling Mercedes-Benz luxury cars; a person with a fantastic attitude and a plan will go far.

SUCCESS TIPS

Set goals for your work and break them into tasks which will lead you to accomplishing those goals. Prioritize your tasks and get them done. Always be dependable, efficient and known for getting a job done well. The person with a sense of purpose always gets noticed by those who matter most.

When you have a complaint about how things are being done, offer innovative solutions. Think about the challenge and how it might be solved, and include other points of view (including your bosses’) in your consideration. Present your case with confidence and an eye toward possible solutions, especially when those solutions will benefit everyone.

If you’re thinking ‘my boss would never appreciate this kind of behavior’ don’t sweat it. This is about YOU, not your boss. If your current employment situation is less than ideal, strive to be your best anyway. You will gain valuable insight into what you are capable of, and you will almost certainly have other, non-related people open new doors for you based on your performance. 

An attitude of success and purpose shines and gets noticed. Cultivate yours, and you’ll soon be at the top of your game! 

Related articles you may enjoy:

Who Do You Work For?
Communication in Business – Be Prepared and be Flexible

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7 Signs You are on the Right Track