Success...One Day At A Time

Leverage Just Being YOU...

I was chatting to some friends in the Internet world last night...and we were discussing how, when we went to seminars, we seemed to know most of what the experts were teaching!

The value in this for me was that, deep down, I've realized over the last couple of years that I'm as qualified as they are where many things are concerned.

And...having seen most of them speak...I know for a fact that I am BETTER than them in a number of ways!

And you know what...YOU almost certainly are, too!

(Yes - YOU!)

You see, I mentally made a step-up when I came to the conclusion that success in life isn't determined by what other people think of you.

Nope.

Your own personal success is determined entirely by how you think of YOURSELF!

I'll give you an example...

As you may remember, a few weeks ago, I spoke at an Internet marketing seminar here in the UK.

And...judging from the feedback both I and the organizer received - my presentation went down well with the attendees.

But...a couple of people who had last seen me speak (almost 2 years before) came up to me after my presentation and told me how much better a speaker I was since the last time...and wondered whether I had been to speaker training, or been speaking a lot, because of my improvement.

Well...the plain and simple answer in both these cases was 'No'.

The ONLY thing that had changed was my mindset about myself and my abilities.

And that was reflected in my presentation.

Part of being successful is accepting that you are who you are - with all of you 'faults'.

Once you change your thinking to trying to be someone you're not to just making the most of being yourself - it feels like a weight is lifted off of your shoulders.

- If people don't like me because they don't like who I am - that's fine.

- If people think that I talk a lot of 'hot air' - that's fine.

- If people don't agree with what I write - then that's fine, too.

It's the people who appreciate me and who want to work with me BECAUSE of who I am that deserve my full attention - not those people who aren't a good fit for my personality.

Now...that may sound harsh and cold, but in fact, it's the complete opposite.

Why?

Well...let me ask you a question...

Which of your friends do you like to spend time with the most - the one who makes you laugh and supports you, or the one who constantly feels sorry for themselves and who makes you feel down every time you see them.

Get the idea?

Of course...it's not always easy to find people who actually help you to grow and develop.

But, from my point of view...I know that I have a choice about whom I CHOOSE to associate with where my life and business is concerned.

After...I am what I am, and YOU are who YOU are.

Wouldn't you rather spend time with people who just love you for being, well....YOU!!!?

It WILL Find You...

"The things that look easy are those that have had a lot of hard work put into them."

Thanks to my daughter's school headmaster (principal) for that gem of wisdom that provides the topic for this little view on life.

He was talking about the quite amazing (to us parents) dance routine that 10-year-old Katie and her classmates had just put on.

Today is the day that I realized that my daughter is growing up fast.

But what Mr Saffrey (the headmaster) said stood out for me...but, although I certainly agree with his sentiment - I also disagree with the principle behind it!

Yes - there are certainly many things in life that look easy that have had some serious hard work put into them.

For example...I know for a fact that seminars that run smoothly and look effortless require a lot of co-ordination and hard work behind the scenes!

But...on the flip side - MANY things that look easy are, in fact............EASY!

I've talked many times before about making the most of what you find easy (and enjoyable) to do.

Indeed - perhaps one of the biggest causes of 'failure' (I prefer 'temporary defeat') in people is that they didn't play to their strengths rather than because of their weaknesses.

You see - the hard work in YOUR case has ALREADY been done behind the scenes before you were born.

That hard work was put in to ensure that you had a skill, talent, ability, 'knack' (call it whatever you will) for something that DOES come easy to you...and is the seed of your success both now and in the future.

Unfortunately, thanks to the way we have been conditioned...very little emphasis has been placed on leveraging what you are great at (unless you have a talent in sports or the arts for example that is recognized at a young age.)

You see...just like Tiger Woods and Golf 'fit' together - YOU and a SOMETHING, somewhere, does too.

Just like Robert De Niro is accomplished in his chosen profession - YOU, too, have an ability to excel at what comes easy to you.

Just as even little 'ole me staggered to this point without ever having written a single word between leaving school and 30 years of age - YOU undoubtedly, absolutely, definitely - will have something that you can do that IS easy for you to make look easy!

It might not be immediately obvious...but if you search long enough by trying new things - it will FIND you!

It's You - Make The Most Of It!

Having been on the road for almost the whole of the last seven days...I've had some time to think about what's really important, why I do what I do, and what I don't do what I think I should do!

Tens of hours of driving left me with one overriding thought...

"It's about time that we play to our own rules, rather than trying to play by somebody else's"

I've met some interesting people on my travels...and I have had some very interesting conversations over the last week.

But...I never quite realized how much different my thinking is to many people.

Not that I am 'right' and they are 'wrong'.

Far from it.

Just that many of my thoughts, beliefs, and plans for what I want to do with my working life are the complete opposite of most people!

And...of course, what 'works' for me might well not suit you at all!

We're all different...and, although we do certainly share some common goals - what could be the best thing in the world to one person - might be awful to someone else.

Quite often - that's where many peoples' problems start.

They're too busy trying to fit into someone else's idea of success that they forget that they have their own skills and needs.

Just because your brother is successful at something and (supposedly) is living the life of YOUR dreams - it doesn't necessarily mean that YOU cannot be the happiest person on Earth if you don't reach the same 'levels' as he does.

YOU are YOU...and there is no changing that.

YOU are someone who is special, talented, and above all, ABLE to be successful in whatever area of life you play to your strengths in.

But...you MUST stop comparing yourself to other people - as who THEY are is nothing to do with YOU.

Plus - if you compare yourself to someone else you'll likely find something negative in that comparison.

Your life and success is all down to being YOU...and not trying to aim for someone or something who wouldn't allow you to be happy at all if you ever got there!

Sound familiar?

Stop Comparing - Start Believing...

Sometimes it's not easy to find inspiration when everything seems to be going wrong.

Yet...we often need the 'down' times in order for us to realize that the 'not-down' times aren't so bad after all.

You and I are constantly comparing everything in our lives. We can't help it.

But...don't you realize that most of the time - you are comparing yourself and your achievements unfavorably?

I'm guilty as charged, too - so it's not just you!

But...you CAN turn the corner and start focusing on why you are BETTER than you think.

The first step is to just be happy with who you are what you are trying to achieve.

Stop trying to compare yourself against others as you will, quite naturally, focus on what THEY are better at than you - rather than the other way around!

And...now that YOU are aware of this - you can understand that doing so isn't going to help you much, is it?

The second step is to just accept that there are some things that you will NEVER be good at.

Let's face it - even the 'greatest' have their faults.

The most successful people don't dwell on why they can't do something - they just focus on what they KNOW that they are good at.

And...finally - the third and last step is to just consistently build on what comes naturally to you.

- If you are an excellent organizer - get yourself into positions that allow you to flourish.

- If you are a fantastic parent - then look at ways that you can make the most of this very desirable skill.

- If you are great at motivating people - then get in front of as many of them as you can!

I think that you get the idea!

Take it from me - quite often, you won't realize how great you really are at something until you realize that you find it easy to do.

And...if you can't put your finger on what you really excel at - just ask around.

Your family, friends, and work colleagues will soon be able to tell you exactly what you're good at.

And...once you have that confidence in your particular ability - nothing will be able to stop you!