How Well Are You Prepared for Success?

Are you prepared for achieving your desired success or are you waiting for success to get prepared? We seem to want guarantees in life. Even though most would admit there are no guarantees. Well maybe one, we will all die at some point. Anyway, how many times have you placed your progress on hold waiting for an exte
al change or proof to show up before taking necessary action?

You’re probably familiar with the reports regarding winners of significant lottery jackpots. Findings indicate these winners are broke, or at minimum back where they were before they won, within one to two years. Perplexing? Not really. We need to develop the habits necessary to be prepared for what’s ahead. In this case it would be how one handles their money. “I’ll learn when and if, it happens” is what is often said. Sure there are some aspects of life where this philosophy works, however not regarding success. It’s like the saying, if you wait until your drowning to learn to swim, it’s too late!

This concept shows up in a variety of ways in our professional interactions including when we’re interested in a different position in our organization, desiring extra income and how we treat our clients.

Maybe you’d like a different position within your organization and yet exhibit behavior contrary to requirements of the position sought. When addressed the response invariably is, “Well I’ll be different when I get that position.” How does anyone, including ourselves for that matter, know? That response really is an excuse. How many times had you sworn you wouldn’t repeat certain family patterns or behaviors only to find yourself acting that way? Ugh!

If you’re looking for extra income from your employer what are you doing to demonstrate you’re a solid investment? We have to do more than show up. Fulfilling our job description is only the start. Are you excelling at customer service? As I shared in a customer service workshop for a client in Reno, NV, everyone is a customer, internal and exte
al. A director shared with me an opportunity where anyone on her team could earn a stipend with completion of certification. Not one employee even inquired what was involved yet all grumble regularly for more money. What about your own self-development? What excuses are prohibiting the very success you claim to desire?

Speaking of clients, how do you treat your clients? (customers, patients, whatever term appropriate for your field). Do they all feel valued or only some of them? Most implies some may feel otherwise. What excuse have you convinced yourself of that is preventing a client from feeling valued? Are you busy pointing the finger at them? Be careful conveying all you care about is having revenue in your pocket, remember they are paying YOU!

Success, though individual in the specific details, is about the path we pave along the way. Waiting for exte
al elements to appear before you take steps to improve your approach is a sure formula for avoiding the very success sought. All success, all growth, all improvement starts with ourselves. What changes would create the very outcomes you claim to desire? Instead of complaining about how what others are doing to affect you and what isn’t as you’d like it to be, take a look at the part you play. What one small step could you take today toward achieving that position, or generating extra income, or ensuring all your clients feel valued?