Written by: Cedrick Webb, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Success can look different for all of us. Paul J. Meyer once said, “Success is the progressive realization of worthwhile predetermined goals.” This suggests that the destination is different for each of us. If it is different for each of us then success is more about the journey than the destination. Perhaps the key to success is going about the journey in the right manner. When all is said and done, we alone are responsible for whom we choose to become. Success is not just a destination, but a continuous journey of growth, determination, and resilience, leading to a fulfilling and purposeful life. We all have the potential to do great things. Here are ten tips that are timeless across all areas of life (work, self, relationships) and through the centuries. They have always been true, and will forever hold true.
1. Don’t Lie
Whatever you do, don’t lie. Lying is the fastest way to lose trust. Once trust is lost, all hope in your character is out the window. Without confidence in your character, you have nothing tangible: no meaningful relationships, and no genuine commitment from others.
Your word is your bond. You will not be taken seriously if your word cannot be taken seriously. As Friedrich Nietzsche said, “I’m not upset that you lied to me; I’m upset that from now on, I can’t believe you.”
2. Don’t Take Shortcuts
Life is about the journey, not the destination. A shortcut mentality is dangerous and must be avoided at all costs. Shortcuts are deceptive and lead us to believe we are further along than we are. Taking shortcuts robs us of the experience and knowledge we can draw from for future encounters and endeavors. Those who take shortcuts may soon enough plateau out on their journey.
We are all on our own unique journey. Taking shortcuts to get ahead of others is our most foolish mistake. When we take shortcuts, we are only shortcutting ourselves and our futures. There are no shortcuts to success. Never cut yourself short.
3. Do What You Love
The days are long, and the years are short. When it comes to a profession, don’t waste your years on something you hate. Invest your time into doing what you love. Your ultimate mission is to become the best version of yourself. I’ve yet to meet someone who became their best by doing what they hate. It’s quite the opposite; they become miserable, bitter, and regretful.
Doing what you love is not selfish; it’s self-love. If you want to become more fulfilled, do what you love. Fulfilled people are the most loving people. They are the healthiest people, and healthy people help others.
4. Don’t harbor bitterness
This point is the most difficult because it forces us to engage our hearts and deal with reality. Bitterness is incredibly deceptive and remarkably crippling. If left undealt with bitterness can rob us of everything good. It can rob us of love and joy and leave us with pain, bondage, and resentment.
Life is hard, people can be mean, and circumstances can be unfair, yet we have a choice. Letting go of bitterness and choosing forgiveness and healing is the ultimate flex. The strongest, kindest, and most impactful people decided to become these things even after the world tore them apart.
5. Treat Others As You Want To Be Treated
Treating others as yourself may be one of life’s most incredible hacks. There’s a reason why it is called the ‘Golden Rule”. Choosing to put yourself in someone else’s shoes develops empathy in yourself and allows the other person to feel heard and valued, thus establishing trust and reciprocity.
When we give and treat others how we would want to be treated, it tends to find its way back. It may not always come back to us immediately, but it always finds its way back. If we want a better world, we must create one that starts with treating others as we wish to be treated.
6. Give More Than You Get
The old saying, “It is better to give than to receive,” could not be more valid today than ever. This timeless principle always comes back to you in all aspects of life. Everything that we give to the world, we get back tenfold. Give more and share with a pure heart: the more sincere the giving, the more sincere the rewards.
Giving is the key to greatness. The most outstanding leaders in history are those who gave everything and asked for nothing. Servanthood is the ultimate form of leadership. We make believers out of others when we offer more than we get. Our followers will follow more closely and sincerely.
7. Work Smarter And Harder
There’s a very dangerous lie out there that tells people to “work smarter, not harder.” That is often the lazy person’s way out of working hard. Hard work is essential to growth and success in everything you do. To diminish hard work would be to devalue our journey, thus shortcutting ourselves. As we established in tip 2, there are no shortcuts to success.
Working smart is of the mind; working hard is of the body. When you bring the best of your mind and body together, we discover how to maximize efficiency to become better. Maximizing efficiency increases capacity, thus allowing for more room to grow. We have now found a growth accelerator and position ourselves never to stop growing.
8. Show Up On Time
Actions speak louder than words. Committing to a time requires our words, and showing up on time requires our efforts. Showing up on time displays a healthy relationship between your words and actions. It conveys to others that you are reliable and can be trusted.
Showing up on time also displays a level of respect for others. It demonstrates that we value their time and commitment to us and that we want to be there. Showing up early can convey an even greater level of commitment from us. Always speak greater with your actions than your words.
9. Be A Self Learner
Life is all about learning. We should always be learning, but more than just learning, we should be self-learning. You alone are responsible for your learning and growing. There’s a robust correlation between learning and growing. As Albert Einstein famously said, “The day you stop learning is the day you start dying.”
Teaching ourselves transforms us from knowing what to think to understanding how to think. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and expand your understanding. Question the norm, be curious, and ask why.
10. Admit When You Are Wrong
Nobody is perfect; own it. We all make mistakes; we are all human. Admitting you made a mistake does not make you weak; it makes you powerful. There’s great freedom in being able to admit the truth. The truth will set you free; free to be yourself, free to learn, free to grow. It also provides great freedom for others involved. They are now free to be honest, learn, grow, and value their true self.
Admitting your mistakes can be difficult. Do it sooner than later. The more you try to cover your mistakes, the less free you are. And the longer you wait, the harder it is to establish or rebuild trust. Be you. Be real. Admit when you are wrong.
Cedrick Webb, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Cedrick Webb, is a leader in digital marketing industry. He is CEO of Smart Digital, a leading company in digital marketing for small businesses. Smart Digital specializes in website design, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social media management and more. Smart Digital offers its services with the utmost integrity and aims to simplify digital marketing for small businesses.
