| 15 Simple Tips for Success by Riley Hilton |
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| ...promoting success in the field of professional organizing.. |
| You may think you're not in the same league as those making the big bucks in this world -- clearly, the movers and shakers have something you don't. But in fact, that couldn't be further from the truth. Success can be learned and the only thing that separates you from them is that they meticulously apply a series of small habits to everything they do. |
| Basically, that's what success is: the sum of smart lifestyle choices. Below are some of those habits that you should take to heart in order to see your success rate go up. |
| 1- Dress sharp Before you leave your home, you should definitely take a moment to make sure you're wearing the right clothes. Some might say that it's not the clothes that make the person, but that's absolutely false. The business world is as much about appearances as anything else. |
| If you dress like you've already conquered the world, people will treat you as if you really have. Come on, would you take Donald Trump seriously if he went around dressed like Kid Rock? From this point forward, always look your best. |
| 2- Think like a winner Attitude is a huge part of success. Your outlook should never be defeatist. Visualize your accomplishments as you work toward them. See the glass as half full and aim for situations in which there are no other options than to come out victorious. People follow winners, not pessimistic bores. |
| 3- Be a team player (Get Your Client On-Side) Success is often a team effort. The quarterback doesn't win the game by himself. Your starting pitcher might have a few Cy Youngs on his mantle but if the rest of the team doesn't perform on offense, his talent doesn't matter. You have to realize you're one of the spokes that makes the wheel go around. Do your tasks to the best of your ability and trust others to do the same. You will all come out on top. |
| 4- Be proactive Anyone who's ever been hunting knows that you can sit in a camouflaged hut for the better part of forever and never get a kill. You have to get out there and follow the leads, get the game on the move, track it down. It's the same in the workplace; don't wait for assignments, go after them. Take the initiative, start new projects and don't be afraid to attract new clients. |
| 5- Express yourself clearly When you follow every step carefully, the only thing that can keep you from unlimited triumph is your communication skills. Always be clear as to why you think the way that you do. Back up your reasoning with facts and figures. |
| 6- Keep the outcome in mind Everything we do in life has a reason. We always do these things in order to reach that result. It should be the same way with your business. Whatever unpleasant task you're faced with should be tempered by the knowledge that you're doing it for a purpose. Not only will this help you reevaluate the course of action, it will also give you a motive to go on when you feel despair creeping in. |
| 7- Have great phone manners No matter what business you are in, the telephone is one of the most important tools. It's more important than computers, as it is the instrument with which we network. The person on the other end of the line should feel like they have your undivided attention so you must give it to them. Don't eat, drink, or chew gum while talking to someone. Moreover, it's a great mark of respect to return phone calls promptly when possible. |
| 8- Be methodical When on a project, go step by step without leaping over less interesting parts. You should always have a plan and follow it to the letter. If you burn steps, you will soon be lost and disorganized. You have to prioritize. |
| 9- Don't criticize Some people -- I'm sure you know some of them -- only live to disparage others. If you find fault with somebody's work, point it out in a teacher-like manner, indicating their mistake. Don't ridicule the person or overtly complain. Also, always give credit where credit is due. Praising people brings out the best in them. |
| 10- Be polite I once was confronted by a salesman in a store who told me to choose something or get out since he was busy. Do you think I bought something there? Do you think I ever went back? You must always be polite and enthusiastic with everyone, not just clients. We are judged by the way we act with people that will not have a hand in advancing our careers. Constantly apply good manners and proper etiquette. |
| 11- Take on one problem at a time People who lack organizational skills often feel overwhelmed when problems arise. The best solution is to tackle one thing at a time. Movie producers like Jerry Bruckheimer are famous for being able to do just that. The studio lowers the budget, an actor is being difficult, and a stuntman gets injured in an accident. You have to address one problem at a time, see it all the way through, and then move on. |
| 12- Handle criticism gracefully When somebody criticizes you, assess whether the source is credible. It's easy to disregard criticism and say that the person is just jealous, but you must realize that we seldom see ourselves the way other people do. If you know the critic is known to make gratuitous accusations, you may discard it. Otherwise, consider the advice constructive and do your best to rectify the situation. |
| 13- Lead by example Always do your best and get things done the way you'd expect others to do them. It's the domino effect; you will start a chain of events that can echo throughout. Clients will automatically emulate your actions and soon everyone will be doing things your way. |
| 14- Exercise patience There's no such thing as overnight success. Even those who seem to have made their fortune instantly have most probably been working on the projects for a long time. And even if they did, they still need time to solidify their position in the market. Success takes time and you should always look at the big picture. Focus on your long-term objectives. |
| 15- Learn new things The marketplace is always evolving and you should always keep up. Read up on the technological advancements and new ways people are conducting business.The idea is to always remain ahead of your game. |
| The Road to Success |
| At the end of the day, you will realize that applying these guidelines will garner the attention of others and they will definitely want to do business with you. And when everyone wants to do business with you, that's success. |