If you have ever worked really hard toward reaching a goal only to
get average results, you know how horrible it feels. And to rub salt in
the wound, there are usually a few elite achievers who seemingly work no
harder than you who absolutely crush that same goal. It’s frustrating,
confusing, and a blow to your ego. I get it.
And you know what? You’re right – those elite achievers probably aren’t working any harder than you. The difference is that elite achievers have figured out the right things to work hard at. Bear with me here.
It’s all too easy to get bogged down in over-planning,
procrastination, and self-doubt. These things are time and energy
suckers. You can literally waste days, weeks, and months on these types
of unproductive behaviors – and not realize it until it’s too late.
While the average spend time and effort on unproductive tasks, elite
achievers spend their time on tasks that move them toward their goals.
There’s good news, though. Elite achievers don’t have a secret weapon
or some sort of productivity pill.
They’ve just developed certain
character traits that make it easier to crush their goals.
That means you could be just one or two small adjustments away from joining the ranks of the elite achievers.
Join The Ranks
After decades in sales management, I have observed that all elite
achievers share certain character traits. Adopt these ten traits of
elite achievers. Put them to work – and watch your goals become much
more attainable.
1. Spend Your Time on Implementation
Busy work isn’t always effective work. Don’t confuse the two. Average
people spend their time and energy coming up with, rehashing, and
discussing ideas. Elite achievers are motivated to spend their time on implementation
of ideas. They know that while ideas are the seeds of results, in and
of themselves, they are just ideas until they’re acted upon. A brilliant
idea unexecuted is worthless. Results come from action.
2. Have Several Back-Up Plans.
Waiting for the perfect plan or tool is insanity. “Perfect” never
shows up. Successful people always have a back-up plan…or two…or three.
The elite achievers are ready for the unexpected and can roll with the
punches when the unexpected occurs.
3. Create Opportunities
As the rest of the world waits, hopes, and wishes for opportunity –
elite achievers know that real opportunity is created. Elite achievers
reach out to others, spread the word, and step up to the plate. They
create opportunity by letting the world know who they are, what they do,
and how they can help. And when they create an opportunity, they fully
take advantage of it.
4. Dislike, But Tolerate Failure.
While the masses tend to sit back and stew over their plan because
there is a chance they could fail and look stupid, elite achievers forge
ahead. They know that while failure certainly sucks, it’s not fatal.
And each time they fail, they get a little smarter. Elite achievers
understand that the small risk of temporarily looking stupid is
outweighed by the possibility of real, permanent success.
5. Become “Strong Like Bull”
Elite achievers are tough. We all want people to like us – but guess
what? No matter what you do, no matter how wonderful you are – someone
is going to dislike you. Elite achievers understand this. Recently I had
someone badmouth my writing because I began a post with the word “so.”
Guess how much sleep I lost over that one? (none) The elite achievers
know they will occasionally fail, that people are going to dislike them
sometimes, and that it will hurt a little. By constantly striving for
improvement and expecting a little pain along the way, they know that it
hurts much less.
6. Find Out For Yourself – Don’t Listen To The Herd
The mediocre crowd has a tendency to believe conventional assumptions
about: Themselves, their industry, their product, and their potential.
Elite achievers take the time to find out for themselves. They do
research, they think outside the box, they consult trusted advisors.
Elite achievers couldn’t care less what the nay-sayers think, because
they’ve done the legwork.
7. Give Selflessly
This one may come as a surprise, but truly elite achievers are
actually pretty selfless people. They leave “greedy” and “selfish” for
the bottom feeders. The elite give their time and knowledge generously
because it’s the right thing to do…and because it demonstrates
integrity, sincerity, and credibility. Winners give.
8. Develop Ego Strength
The elite don’t second guess their decisions. When they have a good plan, they do their research so they can have full confidence
in going after their goals full-tilt. They ignore the less evolved who
tell them that they can’t do it. Elite achievers ignore negative people
and remain confident in their plan.
9. Form A Brain Trust With Other Elite Achievers
Elite achievers know that regardless of how smart and hard-working
they are, they can’t possibly catch every little detail. This is why
they seek the company of other achievers. They regularly consult their
brain trust, ask for their input, and take their advice. They find
people whose opinions they can trust and stay in contact regularly to
hash through their successes, failures, and obstacles.
10. Keep Going Until You Get There.
The average person throws in the towel when they run into obstacles –
and that’s a shame. Elite achievers know that obstacles just indicate a
closer proximity to success. If they fail, elite achievers just tweak
their plan and go after their goal again and again until they reach it.
There is only one direction: Forward.
Spend some time with this list. I’ll bet you can identify one or more
areas that might be slowing you down and affecting your productivity.
Begin replacing some of those bad, time-wasting habits with their more
productive counterparts and start becoming an elite achiever.
What about you?
Which of those time wasters are you most guilty of?
Which of the 10 characteristics of elite achievers are you best at?
Share your thoughts, tips, and stories in the comments!
0 Comments: