[Podcast] 12 habits of highly successful people – Summer Series with Mark Creedon

Success is no accident.

The most successful people in life may not always seem like they have much in common.

How are The Beatles similar to Steve Jobs? Or Warren Buffett and Shane Warne?

But when their traits, habits, and work ethics are distilled down, these unlikely characters share many similarities.

They do the work, they turn up, they believe in themselves and sometimes, they even wear the same clothes.

In today’s Build a Business not a Job Podcast I chat with Mark Creedon, founder of Business Accelerator Mastermind about a dozen techniques to triumph.

1. Drive – know where you’re going

Whether it is the drive to be the best in the world at a specific skill – spin bowling – or the passion to build the most user-friendly tech experience at Apple, successful people are focused on their end goal.

2. Proven losers 

Once people have the ability to spring back from their losses, they are more able to take the risks and challenges life inevitably throws out.

And once that mindset is in place, coupled with a focus on achievement, a loss can create a gain.

3. Let others do their part

There is a necessary time to allow others into the business and to allow them to do the job in their way.

By allowing others to take the load and share their knowledge, the outcome can be greater than the sum of its parts.

4. Avoid distractions – from their goal and in daily life

Achieving a distraction-free state of flow is the best and most efficient way to work and get things done.

5. Communicate. Without it, ‘It’s like winking at a girl in the dark’

Berkshire Hathaway founder Warren Buffet says communication skills are the most important traits for success.

“If you can’t communicate, somebody said, it’s like winking at a girl in the dark,” he says. “Nothing happens.”

6. Break the mold

Successful people are often willing to stand out.

Test cricketer Stuart McGill says spin legend Shane Warne “broke the mold” in cricket, not only with his spin action but also with his off-field antics.

This pairing of performance and personality brought new followers to the game.

7. Think on your feet

The ability to be agile and take chances – even if they fail – is a key habit of the successful.

8. Let’s do it

People who thrive see the outcome. They determine a course of action and set their minds to achieve it.

Routine is a common element for those who succeed.

9. Yes, yes, yes, no. Make the decision

Successful people are decisive.

They may not always be right, but at least they make a decision, which allows for a speedier process and new possibilities.

10. ‘Done is better than perfect’

This leads on from decisiveness.

The philosophy is about achieving small steps, not about sacrificing quality.

As there is no such thing as perfection – which is different for different people – many successes consider milestones and progress more important than a mythical ideal.

11. ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again’

Resilience is considered the most important characteristic for success.

People will inevitably get knocked down, criticised, rejected, or considered wrong, but with stamina and grit, many people overcome.

Old-fashioned hard work, turning up every day, gets results.

12. T-shirt and jeans

Many successful people have systematized their life to strip back distractions.

By either planning ahead or making a routine of everyday tasks, they can reclaim time and energy to think about other outcome-focused enterprises.

Links and Resources:

Why not join Metropole’s Business Accelerator Mastermind

Learn more about Mark Creedon – Business Coach to some of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs

Some of our favourite quotes from the show:

“I think one of the worst things that can happen is to get it right the first time.” – Michael Yardney

“I think one of the traits of successful entrepreneurs, businesspeople, professionals, is that they get going knowing they don’t know it all, but they know enough to get going and understand that they’re going to learn the rest along the way.” – Michael Yardney

“It’s just too hard to do it on your own.” – Michael Yardney

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