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Success can be defined in many ways. According to Google, success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. From Mark Zuckerberg to Oprah Winfrey, there are infinite success stories to look to for inspiration.
However, it is important to recognize that success isn’t all luck. Sure, we all know those people who tend to always get what they want without much effort – but who wants to be that person? If success is not earned, is it really success?
If you’re unsure how to build the groundwork for success, and not just rely solely on luck, keep in mind our top tips for increasing the chance of success.
REMAIN PURPOSEFUL
The first step in finding success is setting your purpose. As you start your career, think about what you want – while your wants may be ever-changing, it is important to keep your end goal in mind. Whatever tasks you may be handed or offer to take on, be sure that it is supporting your journey to success. Oftentimes, we tend to think being helpful toward others will move us forward. While this can be true, it can also hinder our progress by taking focus off our own responsibilities and workload.
IDENTIFY AND LEVERAGE YOUR STRENGTHS
Wherever you are in your career, it is important to understand your strengths and what makes you irreplaceable at your company. Whether you are looking to grow with your current company or switch industries completely, your strengths will always be what sets you apart. If your business is lacking a quality writer and you know that’s one of your skills, let your boss know you’d like to take on the challenge. In doing so, you can make yourself invaluable and irreplaceable. Sometimes, with a little hard work and dedication, you can even turn your weaknesses into strengths.
ALWAYS WORK TOWARDS INNOVATION
Innovation isn’t just for innovators. No matter your role, there is always opportunity to be seen and ideas to be presented. Perhaps there is a process that could see some improvement and you know just how to do the job. While you don’t want to cross any lines with a supervisor or colleague, bringing the issue to their attention is a great way to show you’re trying to improve the company. Just remember: never bring up a problem unless you have a solid solution.
KEEP TRACK OF WINS
Not only are compliments crucial to keeping positive in the workplace, they can also be make or break when you are looking for a raise, promotion or additional responsibilities. A win’s a win, big or small, and it's essential to keep track of your successes (Forbes even suggests keeping a job journal). Our advice? Keep all your proudest moments, greatest work and kindest compliments in one place. So when you do go for that promotion, it’s all prepped and ready to go.
LEARN HOW TO BALANCE
Being overextended is never a positive. Not only does it cause stress, but it also increases your chances of dropping the ball. Not only do you need the elusive work-life balance, but you also need to establish a sense of balance at work. Before taking on any additional tasks, be sure you’re handling all your responsibilities – and handling them well. Need a little help? Check out this article from Fast Company on habits you can develop to achieve balance in the workplace.
In everything you do, be yourself – it’s the base of your brand and important when setting out for success. Stick to your purpose, utilize your strengths, always be innovative, recognize the wins and learn how to balance. In doing so, you’ll not only increase your chance of success, but you will be happier in the long run.
