Rarely is the road to success in life a smooth and straight one. Even the most successful achievers experience setbacks and bumps along the way.
It’s how you respond and deal with these challenges that’s important. And so if you want to be successful in your career or life in general, then here’s how to make sure you have the necessary positive mindset.
Changing your path can be positive
There’s plenty of examples of successful business people and entrepreneurs that have taken detours or have made fresh starts. The truth is that changing paths can be positive and energising. If you are finding that you’re not enjoying your current job, or that you are feeling frustrated and actively dislike what you are doing, then it’s OK to consider changing your path and taking a different turn. It doesn’t signify failure – it just means that it’s time to make a new choice.
Every setback has a positive angle
When we hit those bumps or ruts that set us back from the pathway we had envisaged for ourselves, it can be tempting to let negativity and despair consume us. And that’s fine – give yourself the time and space to get mad. Shout, roar, cry – whatever is necessary to get that raw emotion out of your system and then let it go. Having drawn a line under the emotional reaction, now is the time to reflect on the experience and learn from it. What could you have done differently? And what did you learn about yourself? Whatever you do don’t beat yourself up about it. The truth is that negative experiences offer positive learning opportunities that will be of benefit further down the track. After all, success is a process and not a one-off event.
Develop a lifelong learning habit
Even if you’ve been in the same industry for decades, there’s still plenty of things you could learn. In fact, having a love of lifelong learning is a key attribute for all entrepreneurs. They understand that exposing yourself to new ideas, new people and new opportunities fosters the creative spirit in all of us and energises and reinvigorates the soul. Learning also provides a sense of accomplishment which in turn boosts self-esteem and confidence. And so make learning and continuing professional development a lifelong habit.
Persevere even when things get tough
Successful people don’t give up. Dr. Seuss famously had his first book rejected by 27 different publishers. And in the process of developing his vacuum, Sir James Dyson went through 5,126 failed prototypes as well as his entire savings over 15 years. Other people might have given up in the face of such setbacks, but what these and many other examples show us is that success is achieved through never giving up, having patience, persistence, and a strong mind. Such attributes are essential to see you through any periods of frustration and the inevitable setbacks.
Responding to the twists and turns that life throws at us all is fundamental to successful people in all walks of life. The one thing entrepreneurs and top performing executives have in common is the right attitudes, mindset and outlook. Do you have what it takes?