We all hope to find those shortcuts that will bring us success whether in our personal lives or at work. We’ve all heard the tips to get up early, do tasks ‘now’ if they take less than five minutes, and schedule time for email and other routine tasks, but surely success isn’t simply rising before the sun. @RealEvilHRLady shared her list of five really hard things that successful people do.
- Get the right education/training. Look at the background of those in the field you strive for. What education, training and experience do they have? Take a look at job postings. What are the requirements for your dream position? Different training and educational experience opens and closes certain doors so know what is best for the job you want. Once you determine what you need, set goals and work towards gaining the necessary qualifications.
- Get your 10,000 hours in. Have you heard of Malcolm Gladwell’s famous 10,000-hour rule? Whether you believe 10,000 is the magic number or not, you cannot deny that there is no substitution for practice, practice and more practice to hone your skills and master your craft. It takes repetition and practice to stand out and become an expert whether in a profession, hobby or topic.
- Work harder and longer than others. Hard work pays off. You can’t expect to walk into a company off the street and demand a high position making bucko-bucks, you have to work for it. Keep your head down, put in the time and effort and it will lead to more opportunities and success.
- Stay healthy. Adapt a healthy lifestyle. Eat clean and stay active to help increase your energy and maintain focus. This takes effort and discipline. Know your body and what it takes to keep it running well. What works for one person may not be right for the next, so whether exercise for you is Pilates, crossfit or walking your dog, make time for yourself to rejuvenate and maintain your wellbeing.
- Shut up and listen. Depending on your personality, this may be a challenge. Learning to listen to others, embrace differing ideas and gracefully accept criticism will help you grow as a person and gain respect of those around you. This can be the difference between being seen as a leader or not by your colleagues.
So, as Thomas Edison said, “There is no substitution for hard work.” Integrate these five hard habits of successful people into your life, and see where they take you!