:: the art of life’s experiential learning: 15 tips for creating success + leadership ::

“Your experience need not be first hand, to glean monumental inroads to learning, success and leadership. It’s about taking mental notes, fierce planning, loss of fear and simply executing.” – Tara Correll

tips for success: the tried + the true… In no particular order.
Proximity = speed: Seek out life mentors and draw from their wisdom. Study the habits that have led them to success: how do they do what they do? What makes what they do so seemingly effortless? Ultimately, with the right tools, hard work + habits, you will achieve your goals more expeditiously.
Model who you admire: There are great people in the world that possess positive qualities or habits you may lack: study, exemplify and embody those that feel authentic and work for you.
Charisma is an inherent quality that leaders are born with: Sorry, it’s not a skill that’s learned. Without naming names (His Holiness, the 14th Dahli Lama) charisma is an inherent gift. Those magnetic individuals who embody this quality attract followers and fans. You charismatic people know who you are, so please use responsibly.
Who’s on your board?: Your posse, your tribe, “your people”, identify exactly who they are. They are the trusted folks you defer to + surround yourself with. They will lovingly give you the real scoop, the skinny + the what’s what, but only if you ask. Side note :: They MAY NOT be your close friends or family.
With every challenge, there’s a solution: Feeling a bit “stuck”? Reach out to individuals who are getting things done, ask questions. BUT, know their time is valuable; offer to pay them a consultation fee, take them to coffee or lunch in exchange for their valuable expertise.
Be a student of life: Life is a classroom. There are opportunities for learning everywhere, everyday: be open to and conscious of what life presents. This includes personal adversity with people and situations. See it as gift from the universe created especially for your growth. Decipher + extract what’s to be learned, apply it and let it go. If it doesn’t make sense, it will later. Promise.
Practice proactive listening: As individuals we have lessons to learn and skills to acquire. I’m a huge fan of the “shut up, listen and learn” approach. Take notes, enough said. BTW: I am still working on this one.
Get clear about personal goals: Be realistic about what you set out to do, define expected outcome. Be systematic and clear about each action you take. Break tasks into small “doable” parts, stay on task.
Define what success means to you: How do you measure personal success? Are you money motivated? Love worthwhile causes? Require quality personal time? Get straight on your priorities. Define + create measureable benchmarks so you have a continual, quantifiable sense of accomplishment, whatever it may be.
Let go of tired inner + outer dialogue: Words + thoughts hold power. Let go of negativity and criticism toward others and self loathing toward yourself. Know that this behavior can create barriers to your ultimate success. Instead, practice using language that’s positive and nurturing. Who wants to be around someone who sucks the life out a room? Tip :: Take an inventory of the people in your life, positive people foster a healthy environment.
Don’t kick the tires in the name of perfection: Opportunity can be fleeting, better to have leaped and held on for dear life, than risk a missed opportunity. Please, when passionately pursuing your dream, go for it! If it’s meant to be, it will all play out favorably, it’s all a part of the learning curve. Believe me, I know firsthand.
Listen to your inner voice: Aka “your gut instinct”. It’s there for a reason: so listen + take heed. It’ll save you time and keep you from taking an unfavorable detour.
Stay focused, stay flexible: Progress is not always sequential, learn to be flexible and reprioritize if you hit a roadblock. Accept that as much as we wish to push forward, sometimes now is not the time.
Lead with your authentic voice, true intention + be clear about your motivation: If intention is King, then motivation is Queen. The universal law of attraction rewards authentic thought and action ie; if you’re doing what you are truly meant to do, in the manner you’re meant to do it, they’ll be lots more success + rewards coming your way.
Be a champion for others: Successful people give back: help without hesitation. Money, time, knowledge – offer up your talent + resources, help others better themselves.
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