The First Step to Success

Only 5 percent of the population, in a world filled with opportunities, ever reach the status of being truly financially independent! How can that possibly be? We all have the drive and desire to succeed. Why is it even with a lifetime of learning experiences and hard work, most of us often no better off than when starting out? Why do some people become successful? There are eight basic key elements individuals either utilize or over look that affect their chances of reaching a high level of success or not.

The process of achieving success for every individual is different. Obviously the processes for Bill Gates and Mother Teresa were very, very different. But for both of them, the process was the right one. Your individual values will set the direction you personally take.

Key Element #1 - The Right Attitude

Have you ever gone into a store or other business only to be waited on by a person who was unfriendly, rude or otherwise distasteful? Have you ever called a company and been greeted by a voice on the phone that was cold, nasty or short with you? Of course, we all have. We say that person has a bad attitude. Why are they that way? They might just be having a bad day. Maybe things have gone wrong at home. But usually, it's because they are dissatisfied with their job. They really don't want to be doing what they're doing. They don't feel they're appreciated for their work and that they are under paid. What a lot of people don't understand is we get paid only for what we put into a job.

You see, a lot of people don't understand the secrets to success. Some believe they should be paid more than they earn, and want to be paid a good salary before being willing to do good work. That is backward thinking. A wage needs to be earned in the way of good service to others before being paid a good wage for a job well done. The quality of service is what determines worth, not simply being present at a job.

The same applies to a business. If a business does not provide a good service to a community, it will not prosper or receive a good income. What one receives is in direct proportion to what one provides in the way of service. If you serve your community well, by providing quality products and good service at a fair price, then you will receive in return a good income and repeat business from your customers. Those that refuse to give or do more than they are paid for, seldom receive more than they give or do. You cannot receive more than what effort you put out for very long. Many people go through the motions of putting in their time at work or at their business but their minds are focused somewhere else. Their efforts are only half-hearted and a "that's good enough" attitude is often the norm.

A clerk in a store might feel the only way to increase their income is to work more hours or get a second job. But what if a change of attitude is tried instead? Becoming more helpful to customers, finding ways to help the employer increase business, doing things that aren't required. Wouldn't an employer recognize these key elements in an employee? And wouldn't it make that employee indeed more valuable to that business?

Apply these same principles to a business that is competing with other similar businesses. By offering to wash the windshield of a gas customer's car, by giving away some small item, by keeping your store sparkling more than anyone else's and by simply saying to the customer, "Thank you for your business. We do appreciate your coming into our store!" All other things equal, wouldn't these things give you the edge over your competition? Your attitude about what you do and how you do it will affect your success. Remember, the person of least value to an organization is usually the first to go when hard times hit. The same is true for businesses. Is your business a vital part of the community or is it just another place to shop?

Our environment is a reflection of us, we can change our life by changing our attitude. What is the degree of service that you provide? To increase your service, study, read good books on your field, listen to taped programs. Try to learn something new everyday. Just like anything, the attention we give our attitude must be kept up too. Just like mowing and fertilizing a lawn, you need to constantly strive to maintain and improve your attitude and career.

Model successful people. What are their contributions to society? What have they done better than anyone else in their field? Most of all, keep a positive, self-expectant attitude in every situation.