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Follow These Ten Commitments for Greater Success

Funny thing about human nature -- we all seem to want to achieve greater success. It's one of our most fundamental drivers. If you're like a lot of people, you're on your own personal quest to achieve what I call "the pinnacle of your success." This month I hope to shed some light on this important subject as I believe I have discovered the formula that will help you reach your pinnacle, and I very much want to share it with you. To begin, you must ask yourself some basic - yet critical - questions. Charting your baseline will dictate what you need to do in order to get where you want to go.   What does success mean to you - really?   What does the pinnacle of your success look like?   How motivated are you to achieve the pinnacle of your success?   What do you think are the qualities of a truly successful individual? Interesting thing about the secrets to success that I've discovered: No matter what your definition of "the pinnacle of my success", my strategies will help you reach it. There is only one caveat: they must become habits; hence the term "commitments." Here they are: Commitment #1: Personal Development. A commitment to your personal development entails continual enhancement of your health and well-being, emotional intelligence, personal leadership skills, ego, character, and integrity. Commitment #2: Professional Development. This requires an ongoing assessment and improvement of your professional abilities, skills in leading others, curiosity, business etiquette and protocol, career planning, and developing your network of influential people. Commitment #3: Creativity. The commitment to develop and employ your creativity is one of the most effective in getting you to your personal pinnacle. It includes the honing of your ingenuity, willingness to take risks, innovative prowess, openness to try things differently, and the development of right-brain functions (possibilities, visioning, intuition, and "big picture" thinking). Commitment #4: Strategic Thinking. Having a clear understanding that every action has a reaction is critical to achieving success. What you do is significant; how you do it is critical. Do you understand the vital act of leveraging? The successful person knows how to leverage everything they do into success-maximizing possibilities. I've also talked before about the importance of metacognition: Thinking about how you think. How are you thinking about the way you think about success? Get strategic and stay strategic. Commitment # 5: Communication. It's time to perfect your oral, written, grammar, and public speaking skills. Even more important is the refinement of human interaction, listening, and empathetic skills. People are the key to our success, so we must learn how to communicate with grace, correctness, and diplomacy. Commitment #6: Personal Perceptual Management. What does your exterior say about your interior? Modern? Stylish? Frumpy? How do you visually convey your own key message points? Your commitment to your exterior image says a lot about how you see and value yourself. Wardrobe, hairstyle, accouterments, and poise cannot be over-emphasized. Image is, indeed, everything. Commitment #7: Self-Promotion. Think of yourself as a product. Are you Yugo or Mercedes Benz? Blow your own horn, but do it elegantly. Hire a publicist or learn to do your own PR (prleads.com is a good place to start). Commitment #8: Lifelong Learning. Ongoing learning needs to be a part of all our lives or we fall behind the competition. Read magazines, journals, e-newsletters - anything you can get your hands on. Take classes, attend lectures, or form a book review club with a few friends. Go back to school and get another degree - or get an advanced certification. Learn about subjects outside your area of expertise. Watch PBS - just learn! Commitment #9: Spirituality. Take the time and make the commitment to feed your spirit - that essence of who you are that is your driver and your life guide. Nurture your heart and your inner self. Live authentically and follow your passion. Identify your life mission. Take time to meditate, write in a journal, listen to soothing music, get a massage, pray, or sit quietly in the park. Rejuvenate your self and reward yourself for living a life of integrity - everyone around you will benefit. Commitment #10: Altruism. We get by giving. Giving of ourselves is a sure-fire way to improve self-esteem and reap the rewards of generosity. Our volunteer efforts can create amazing career-building opportunities as well. But take joy in the pureness of giving with no expectations in return. This is a true sign of real success.

Debra Davenport, PhD, is a Master Professional Mentor and the president of DavenportFolio, a licensed firm with offices in Los Angeles and Phoenix that mentors entrepreneurs and professionals. She is the creator of the Certified Professional Mentor® designation and certification program and the author of The Ten Commitments of Highly Successful People. debra@davenportfolio.com or (866) 232-6492.

     

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