March 2, 2015
Having a to-do-list will ensure huge returns in terms of personal well-being, productivity and better relationships. However there are certain things you should make a conscious effort to avoid in order to be successful.
Contributing Editor Inc. Magazine and LinkedIn Influencer, Jeff Haden highlighted eight things you should promise yourself you avoid every day in order to remain successful.
Wait until you’re sure you will succeed
Commitment to putting in your best surpasses the conviction that you will definitely succeed at something new. The truth is you can never be too sure but “[…] you can always feel sure you will try again if you fail,” Jeff explained.
Waiting is a complete waste of time; give it your best shot. “You have a lot less to lose than you think, and everything to gain.”
Multitask during a meeting
Everyone is always too busy trying to stand out by multitasking instead of paying close attention. The secret behind these meetings is that when you focus, it helps you spot good opportunities, hidden agendas and give you clues on how to remain indispensable at your place of work.
“It’s easy, because you’ll be the only one trying. And you’ll be the only one succeeding—on multiple levels.”
Check your phone while you’re talking to someone
We all do this! “Is that your phone? Oh, it must be mine,” or while someone is taking to you, your eyes roll down wards at each passing glance, even replying a text can be very disorienting.
The one way you can stand out though, is if you desist from that habit as much as possible. Instead when their talking to you, make it feel like nothing else is more important at that time. “Stop checking your phone, it doesn’t notice when you aren’t paying attention. Other people? They notice and they care”
Consider people who don’t make any difference in your life
“Trust me; the inhabitants of planet Kardashian are okay without you.” But when it comes to your family, friends and even employees need you. Allocate the right amount of attention to those that really matter in your life.
“They are the ones who deserve it.”
Let yourself be distracted by notifications
That urge to know the minute you get an email or text message or tweet, is the number one killer of focus. Anything worth doing is worth doing well; assign a portion of your schedule to check out what you may have missed. This should be at your discretion, instead of a schedule you let everyone else set.
That way you can get back to work without distractions. Paying attention to what your work is way more important. “They can wait. You, and what is truly important to you, cannot.”
Let your past determine your future
Mistakes are as inevitable as they are valuable. A necessary evil; learn from them and let it go. It all depends on what angle you decide to take it from, rather than dwell on it take it as a golden opportunity to pick up something you didn’t know—especially about yourself.
“The past is just training. The past should definitely inform but in no way define you, unless you let it.”
Talk behind someone’s back
Why waste your time talking to about someone with others? If for instance you do not like what Gabriel is doing, reach out to him. In a situation whereby it is not your place, “then it is probably not your place to talk about Joe.”
It is not only being the topic of discussion that is wrong, but also taking part in gossip. “Spend your time on productive conversations. You’ll get a lot more done and you’ll gain a lot more respect.”
Say “yes” when you really mean “no”
It is very difficult to refuse requests from people. This could be from colleagues, clients and especially friends. But in reality you cannot do everything. ‘In fact, success is often based more on what you decide not to do than on what you do.”
There is no need to assume that saying no will always end badly. Sometimes people understand your reasons, if they don’t, should you really be that bothered? “When you say no to something you don’t want to do, at least you only feel bad for a few moments. When you say yes to something you really don’t want to do, you can feel bad for a long time.” And then you end up saying that which you didn’t want to in the first place.
Source: Ventures Africa
