WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PERSON!

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."— Winston Churchill

Many of us dream of achieving great success and often compare ourselves to others to gauge our accomplishments. This is a sure path to disappointment. Each of us finds success in unique ways. We may not possess millions of dollars or live in Beverly Hills, but we all have areas where we can recognize our achievements. Nonetheless, there are steps we can take to excel in more aspects of life. Let’s discuss a few of them.

Successful people:

Stick to a Routine

• Start the day early (many wake before 6 AM). I often rise before 5 a.m. My mornings are the most productive part of the day. I get up, spend time with God, have breakfast, send out the encouraging words I share with some people, then get dressed and put on makeup so I can face the rest of the day.

• Organize their day with clear priorities. – I do fairly well in this area, too. Each day, I create a to-do list and strive to complete my tasks. I’ve learned that if I don’t finish everything, it will still be there waiting for me the next day.

• Use the mornings for high-focus work. I am most productive in the mornings and do most of my chores and writing then. However, I recognize that many people are not morning people and need some time to wake up first! Have your cup of coffee and get moving!

I excel at sticking to a routine, but I often avoid many helpful tools because I simply don’t want to put in the effort.

Set Clear Goals

• Break big goals into small, manageable tasks. Sometimes, we are overwhelmed by a set goal, so we give up. Please sit down and look at your large goal and figure out how you can have a little victory—before long, you will have reached your goal!

• Regularly review your progress and adjust your plans. I encourage you to assess your goals on a monthly basis. You might be surprised to discover that you have achieved one of them. This is a perfect opportunity to adjust your goals and take small, manageable steps towards accomplishing them.

• Stay focused on the long-term vision, not just daily tasks. This is one area where I struggle. I often get distracted and stop working toward my goal. Don’t get frustrated if some goals take a long time to achieve. In your vision, define what you want and how you can reach it. 

They Read and Learn Constantly

I don’t follow many of these steps, so I’m including them for informational purposes. I should be implementing all of this!

• Read daily—books, articles, or industry news.

• Listen to podcasts or audiobooks.

• Stay curious and invest in personal development.

Prioritize Health

Once more, this is not an area where I excel. I have set a goal to take better care of myself!

• Exercise regularly (even just walking or stretching).

• Get enough sleep (7–8 hours is common).

• Eat nutritious food and manage stress.

Practice Self-Reflection

• Utilize journaling or meditation to gain clarity. I journal, which assists me in sorting through my overwhelming feelings and behaviors. Journaling also helps us recognize that we have made progress.

• Learn from failures and setbacks. - I have experienced many failures and setbacks. For years, I pouted and felt defeated. Today, I have learned to accept my failures and figure out how to handle situations since then.

• I ask myself honest questions: What worked? What didn’t? – I answer these types of questions when I journal. It’s easier to blame someone else for what happened or to beat myself up over a failed situation. I find that if I examine my role in the situation, I can focus on how to succeed in that area.

Build Strong Relationships

This is an area in which I excel.

• Surround yourself with positive, motivated people. I have engaged with several organizations and the church, forming friendships with incredible individuals. 

• Network strategically and authentically. – My family tells me that I am great at networking, and I agree; I am! I belong to several networking organizations and ensure I attend events where I can gain face-to-face recognition.

• Seek mentorship and support others. Several people in my life encourage me and provide advice. I also work with women, assisting them in navigating their life choices.

Manage Time Ruthlessly

This is another area where I struggle. I get easily distracted. I multitask and don’t fully complete anything. I dislike hurting others, so I often fail to maintain appropriate boundaries. 

• Avoid multitasking and focus intensely on one thing at a time.

• Say “no” to things that don’t align with their mission.

• Use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and time blocking. I excel at this. If the activity is not on my calendar, it doesn’t happen. Every night before I go to bed, I make a to-do list for the next day. It helps me focus on one task at a time!

💡 Take Initiative

• Don’t wait to be told; act when you see an opportunity. Don’t let an opportunity pass. I realized I have two calls I’ve been putting off because they will be uncomfortable. I’m going to get those done!!

• Be proactive problem-solvers. It seems to me that people who take a proactive approach tend to experience less stress because the situation has already been addressed. Imagine you are preparing for a trip and have been proactive in your planning. The trip will be far less stressful.

• Embrace responsibility and ownership. – Take responsibility for the good and the bad!

  
  

  Embrace a Growth Mindset

• View challenges as opportunities to grow. This is not my favorite thing, but I have learned that through those challenges, I grow as a person and thrive!

• Believe skills can be developed through effort. Working towards success is not an easy task. You must believe in yourself in order to gain success. Ig=f you work hard and don’t give up on yourself, you can make it.

• Don’t fear failure – failure is inevitable; learn to embrace it and learn from it!

Gratitude

I am very good at being thankful! I am blessed

·      Reflect on what they’re thankful for. Before I go to bed, I write down three things that I am thankful for. Doing this usually puts me in a better perspective.

• Stay grounded and content amid ambition. This is easier said than done. I have not seen myself as ambitious, but a friend pointed out to me how involved I am in the community and my participation in Leadership Fresno Class 38 (Best Class ever!). I am learning to break big tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. I accomplish much more by dividing tasks and taking breaks throughout the day.

• Maintain perspective during hard times.

  • Everyone experiences hard times. Don’t give up, keep going!

I hope this helps in your journey to success. Have a blessed week!