The universal principles of success

Everyone wants to know the secret to success.

And there are a lot of people out there who reckon they have mastered the basic principles.

Follow these habits, they say, and you too will be successful. 

This may be true, but only up to a point.

The habits of successful people must be underpinned by the adherence to a few important, universal truths.

Yes, it’s important to start the day early and ensure you’re organised.

Yes, it’s vital to get enough exercise.

Yes, you need to spend time with your family in order to maintain perspective.

I’ve written about these essential daily habits in the past, but here is something very important that you also shouldn’t forget….

None of these habits make much difference if your building blocks are made of sand.

What does that mean?

Well, if you don’t adhere to a few basic principles of business then you’re not going to be successful.

No matter how many times you go to the gym or empty your inbox each morning.

So what are these principles?

1. FOLLOW THE MONEY

Capital is fundamental to business wealth.

Success doesn’t come from ignoring the financial side of life as it takes money to make money.

You may start off small, but the point is you start off with money and you can use it to make more.

This could be from crowdfunding, capital raising, or even just plain-old fashioned savings.

Sure, ideas are important, but it’s money that will get them off the ground.

It’s easy to forget that.

2. CONNECT WITH PEOPLE

You may find the idea of a self-made millionaire an attractive one, but it’s a big myth.

No one ever makes it entirely on their own.

That’s not to say that you can’t be an entrepreneur or steer your own ship, just that there need to be people to help guide your way and, crucially, open the right doors.

That’s why building the right networks is extremely important.

As is giving generously of your time to others as you never know when that favour will be repaid and in what way.

What’s that great saying?

Be nice to those on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.

Very true.

3. BECOME A MASTER

The job-for-life scenario is dead and buried.

Workplace loyalty is no longer a guarantee from either employers or employees, and very few of us will be able to stick at the one job forever.

And who wants to?

But we can develop a skill set and hone it until we carve out a niche for ourselves.

Our job may change as we apply the skill set in different ways, but the most important thing is we have developed a specific and focused range of skills.

This will set us up for a life of change because that’s what working life is nowadays: constant change and disruption.

The trick is to be able to react nimbly to it and to adapt.

FIND SOMETHING YOU ENJOY

This is the most important principle of all. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a successful person who has achieved a great deal, made a lot of money, and not enjoyed it.

If you do something because you think it will simply make you rich, and that is the only reason you do it, then you won’t last very long. 

Or you’ll end up miserable!

Enjoyment and passion are vital for success.

It’s very hard to have one without the other.

Once you have these basic principles in mind, you can add the layer of healthy daily habits, such as waking up early and exercising, on top.

Combined, the two are likely to make you very successful in whatever you do.

Or at least point you in the right direction.

The rest is up to you.

ALSO READ: This is ridiculous, but my love of ice cream taught me about changing habits to become more disciplined

About Mark Creedon Mark Creedon is Director of Metropole's Business Accelerator Mastermind and business coach to some of Australia's leading entrepreneurs - each who call him their "unreasonable friend"
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