Many of us tend to walk through life experiences on autopilot without really drawing any conclusions or lessons for success. Together, we can share our insights to encourage others to suceed.
Encouragement to dream big is not essential only for who we become in life, but it is also at the core of social progress. I often reflect on success, and by it, I mean the way I define what it means to be successful which may not fit a conventional definition. I hope for #TWOW’s Guide for Success to inspire you and uplift you to fulfill your goals and dreams.
1. Stop living outside yourself
A long time ago I gave up living outside myself. When that happens, and it for sure does with daily demands and breaking news of Brexit, I go to my meditation space to check in with myself and stay on course.
The best way to access your inner guide is to unplug, keep still and become one with silence. Although at first, it will seem difficult to tune out the noise of metropolis, the key is to focus inwardly and little by little, your inner voice will become louder.
Follow your inner voice, it is the one that always knows what’s right for you in any situation.
2. Pay attention
It is fascinating to find out how much you can learn by just reading the room. By paying attention to yourself and the environment you are part of. Becoming an observer allows you to be present, and stop walking through your own life without really having any time to enjoy the moment.
We all stop to notice when something bad happens, but there are much more beautiful moments we all experience.
Placing yourself in the role of an observer will also make you take better notice of your friends, romantic partners, and colleagues. It will also make you less self-centric and allow you to connect with your environment on a deeper level.
3. Step Away
I’ve learned that while it is important to make fast decisions, what’s even more important is not to make the rushed ones. That can happen more often than we think. Sometimes, the best gift we can offer to ourselves is to step away for a moment from any decision-making.
Step away and then come back when you can lay out your decision in the form of an argument. This may sound straightforward but it actually isn’t.
While as a performer I like for things to unfold quickly and to my liking, there is also a great lesson in decoding patience as a part of personal growth.
4. Take your time
For a long time, I was led to believe that I must always act on things as they happen, but what patience taught me is that 1) you have the right to take your own time, and 2) not everything moves in your speed.
Take any delay and what may feel like a frustrating waiting time, to learn something new about yourself. Likeways, give yourself permission to take as much time as you need before you say “yes” to anything.
5. Cutting corners in life does not work
There’s no such thing as an overnight success. Taking shortcuts does not work. In the grand scheme of things, it is always better to do what you love and stand for something rather than for nothing. If you know that, your success story may take more time to come to full fruition but when it’s due, it will be one hell of a story for people to talk about.
6. Align With Love
Love is a word we throw around a lot and refer to constantly, but what is your definition of it? Make sure you know that and live according to it on a daily basis. Ask yourself: are my actions aligned with the values of love?
I often find myself going back to the words of wisdom of a renowned American literary critic, Barbara Johnson who said: “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.
7. Keep your cool
When you are at the pressure point that can break you, remember that it’s an opportunity to showcase your inner strength.
“The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear,” said Daniel Defoe.
When you feel like giving up, that’s the moment of breakthrough. I find this to be a matter of faith. Sometimes, all it takes is to keep believing for a few minutes longer. Just watch the Hollywood classic with Humphrey Bogart, The African Queen and you will know what I am talking about.
8. In light of new facts, change your mind
Be open to change your mind in light of new facts. In my experience, approaching life with an open mind is a great lesson in resilience. It also helps greatly a creative process, and I am of the opinion that while we can’t all work in creative industries, we all are creators of our lives.
I have changed my mind over a lot of things over time.
As long as changing your mind is based on better, new information you have at the moment, and not on having to give up on your own values, you will know that changing your mind is an informed decision.
9. There’s always an exit door
No matter how catastrophic what you are going through may seem at the moment, there’s always an exit door. And by always, I mean every single time. Everything is workable. Even when it fails.
10. Only you can give up on your destiny
The road to any achievement is far from smooth sailing.
Many times, you will come to a situation of resistance, misunderstanding, judgment, and doubt.
What’s also realistic is that you may encounter those who will try to stop you and derail you from your life path. When that happens, know that 1) it happens to everyone and 2) no one can keep you away from your destiny as long as you are not the one to give up on it.
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What does success mean to you? Share with #TWOW your lessons for success!