Seven Simple Keys to Success

It’s next to impossible to become successful alone. If things like health and fitness, great relationships, fun and meaningful work, and plenty of free time are as important as earning all the money we want, then other people have to be involved.

The following Seven Simple Keys to Success are focused on activities that will result in people helping you get where you want to go.

	1.	Take responsibility: This is a BIG one. It’s definitely the main key. It’s also the driving force behind keys 2 through 7. And it can be demonstrated in a number of ways. For example, when things go wrong there are some people who take the "it's not my fault and it's not my job to make it right" point of view. I don’t know anyone with this approach to life that is on the fast track to success. A much better approach is to take the responsibility for making things right. It’s not about fault and blame; it’s about correcting the problem. Employers love employees who take responsibility. Customers love to patronize businesses that take responsibility. Friends and family trust and admire people that take responsibility. If you want to succeed in business and in life, take the responsibility for making it happen. Do whatever is necessary to achieve your goals. If you need more education, take the responsibility for getting it. Don’t use the weather, the economy, the political condition, your background, your family or anything else as an excuse. Take responsibility and make it happen. Look at the countless examples of people who have achieved their goals despite physical limitations, lack of formal education, poverty, prejudice, having to learn a new language, and other limiting conditions. They made it because they took the responsibility to do what was necessary. You can do it too! The first step is taking responsibility. When you do the rest of the world will jump in to help.
	2.	Be on time: According to many people I talk with and work with, this is one of the biggest areas of aggravation in life. People are late for appointments. People are late for meetings. People are late completing projects, submitting time sheets, and turning in reports. Being late throws off schedules and agendas. Being late shows disrespect for those that are on time. Has your day ever been messed up by people being late? How did you feel when it happened? I’ll bet not too happy. If traffic is going to be bad, plan for it. If the weather is going to be bad, plan for it. If you’re expected at a meeting in five minutes, don’t take or make another phone call, don’t get started with an extended conversation. Get your things together and go to the meeting. Get there early. If there’s a flood, or a crash that closes a highway, or you are sick or injured, call to explain and reschedule. Being on time will give you an advantage over those who aren’t. Take responsibility and always be on time.
	3.	Do what you say you will do: Not only do what you commit to do, do it in the time frame you promise. What do you think of people that say, “I’ll do that” and then don’t follow through? How about those that not only don’t keep their commitments, but they use other things or other people as excuses? Before you commit to something make sure that you intend to keep the commitment and that you have adequate time. Take responsibility. Others will help you by saying great things about your being on time. So few others do it you’ll stand out.
	4.	Finish what you start: I’m sure you know people who are constantly starting projects but never seem to finish them. If the projects are only important to them, then it’s probably not a problem. But, if the projects are important to the success of a business or a customer is depending on the completed project, then it can be a huge problem. Here comes that “take responsibility” thing again. Don’t commit to anything that others are depending on if you don’t think you can complete it. If, during the process, you determine that things are getting in the way of a timely completion, do everything you can to get it done on time. If it becomes evident that regardless of every effort the deadline won’t be met, talk with your customer (internal or external) and establish a new schedule. Whatever you do, don’t remain silent. The best bet – take some time to think and plan before you make any commitments. Take responsibility. Finish what you start. Everyone will love you for it.
	5.	Listen before you talk: This is another BIG one. One of the top three complaints or frustrations I get from clients has to do in one way or another with ineffective communication. The best place to start creating an atmosphere of effective communication is by listening. Truly listening. Paying attention to words, to tone of voice and to gestures. Listen to learn. Listen to understand. Be curious about why people think what they think and believe what they believe. Ask great questions to clarify for better understanding. We all have a tendency to think about what we’re going to say while other people are talking. While we’re planning on our response we can miss all kinds of valuable information. We want so much for others to listen to us that we don’t listen to them. Since that works in both directions, it’s no wonder that ineffective communication is such a big frustration in organizations and in families. Learn to listen. It will change your life.
	6.	Say Please and Thank You: Simple stuff. And, it’s powerful. It’s what our mom taught us when we were kids. Say “please” when you ask for something. Say “thank you” every opportunity you get. Mean it when you say. Then stand back and watch all the good things that happen. Being polite is very easy to do and the payoff is huge. It strengthens both business and personal relationships. Done consistently and meaningfully over time it can change the attitudes of others. If you don’t say “please” and “thank you” already, try it. You’ll like it. Others will say good things about you and the word will spread.
	7.	Follow up: I’m amazed every time I work with groups that end a meeting or a strategic planning session or a workshop of some kind and nothing happens as a result because no one follows up. Also, when I ask potential clients how they would know if I was doing a good job for them, the most common answer is, “You’d follow up”. Follow up is very important. When you finish a project, follow up for feedback. Many people don’t do this because they are afraid they might hear bad news. Rarely true. But, even if it is, wouldn’t it be better to find out and make things right rather than let the bad news spread. Follow up on everything that you’re involved with. Have you ever taken an important message for someone else and passed it on. How do you know it was returned? If it wasn’t returned, who do you think will get the blame from the person who left the message? Follow up. It’s easy to do once you develop the habit. And the payoffs are huge.

If you follow these seven simple keys consistently, you’ll be ahead of 95% of the other folks out there. It may require a little discipline, but the results far outweigh the effort. Everyone who experiences you following these seven simple keys to success will say great things about your behavior and help you achieve success. You can do it!

Continued success!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Silverthorn is a business growth specialist and success coach. He spends his time helping people build and grow successful businesses. To learn more please visit www.feedthegoodwolf.com and www.forbusinesssuccess.com.

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