by Nico Hohman
NextHome Discovery.
Whether searching for success in your business life or your personal life, there are only three traits you need to master in order to become a success.
1. Learn as much about your industry as possible
The number one trait successful people share is that they have highly specialized knowledge about their particular trade, field, and industry. In order to get ahead in your business life, you need to start using your head.
Success is something that is earned over a period of time. To stay relevant, useful, and productive for the long term, you need understand the ins and outs of your industry. You need to know what is working today, and where your industry is going in the future.
You need to understand the history of your industry. How did it get started? What worked for those early pioneers? What were some major setbacks in the beginning? What are the legal limitations governing my industry? Study the companies that have been around for over 100 years, and see what brand new companies are doing to gain an edge over the competition. The more you invest in your knowledge of your industry, the better suited you will be to be a success.
2. Ingratiate yourself with your superiors
Second only to knowledge when looking to achieve success is experience. As a younger or newer professional, you won’t have the experience that your superiors will have working in your field. That is why it is important to learn from those who have been there before to glean insight that you would otherwise not be able to learn.
Whether you decide to create an informal or formal mentorship with an industry leader, the useful tips, shortcuts, and list of things to avoid that come from having a mentor are invaluable on your path to success.
Having a superior who will also be your ally or your spokesperson is another key benefit to ingratiating yourself with your superiors. When it comes time to opening doors or making introductions, your advocates and personal champions are the ones who will gladly make those connections happen.
It has been said you are the average of the five people with whom you spend your time. Why not spend your time with those who already are successful in your industry? The more you invest in your knowledge of your industry, the better suited you will be to be a success.
3. Do more than what is expected of you
Hard work is not a virtue to be extolled simply for hard work’s sake. Working hard on its own is not enough to give you success.
If someone requests something from you, accomplish that task as quickly and as perfectly as possible. Then, provide one or two unique and useful additions to the request. Others will appreciate the care you put into their request.
The more work you accomplish that is outside of your specified scope of duties, the more work will be given to you. As more work is given to you, you will gain more responsibility. And as you gain more responsibility, you become a more valuable commodity to your industry. Then, as you grow as a valuable commodity, success will surely follow.
While there are certainly no shortcuts on the path to success, there are only a few steps that you need to master in order to become a successful person. If you learn as much about your industry as possible, ingratiate yourself with your superiors, and do more than what is expected of you, you are guaranteed a shot at success.
