How do we make a habit out of success? Thereʼs an old saying that, if spoken with authority, we all will usually choose to take as fact. “If you can do something for 28 days, you can turn it into a habit.” The trouble we have is that we donʼt really define success.
What does success mean to you? Does it mean making six figures? Do you define success as numbers? For everyone, success means different things. I feel successful when Iʼm enjoying life, content with life, satisfied with my relationships, living in the moment without regrets from the past or worries about the future, and confident that I have everything I need in this present moment.
But youʼre reading this because you want to know how to have a successful (defined by numbers) business and income. To make success a habit, you need to work on two things—Action and Attitude. Both are equally important because Iʼve never experienced a direct “do this—get this now” relationship between action and results. Instead, Iʼve witnessed that when Iʼm consistent in my actions, the results do follow but sometimes they come in boatloads of orders and sometimes there are droughts and times of famine despite my best efforts.
Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying, “The harder I work, the luckier I get” or something to that effect. I can attest to that but I never saw a consistency to it. This is why attitude is so critically important. Author Tim Sanders has said, “I need only two things to lead and thrive—faith and endurance—one will help me when the other in is short supply.”
So you must daily take action—make the customer contacts, send out the emails, order spec samples, share valuable content, put yourself in networking situations, inspire referrals, make appointments, put together results-oriented rather than product-oriented proposals, send hand-written notes, say “thank you,” follow-up, and learn new skills pushing your self beyond your comfort level.
And you need to work on your Attitude. Approach each day as new and full of opportunity. Leave yesterdayʼs disappointments behind. Have faith that your activity will pay off. Enjoy what you do and do it with joy. Watch for and prepare for change. Growth and change are inseparable so embrace change and help others deal with it. Be an example of positivity.
How do you make success a habit? All ways and always. Today. Now. And then do it again.
