The Ten Commandments for Achieving Excellence in Business and Life

The Ten Commandments for Achieving Excellence in Business and Life
I. Build Your Self Esteem –Successful people know that, building their mind, exercising their body, growing their skills and intellect provides them with layers of protection against failure in life, relationships and business. They are more confident, more hopeful and people are drawn to them by this healthy dose of self esteem.

II. Set demanding Goals – A muscle doesn’t grow without resistance. Successful individuals realize that to grow financially, spiritually or personally they need to challenge themselves with demanding goals.

III. Always be Positive– You never hear people say,” I love being around that guy because everything that comes out of his mouth is negative, critical or of defeat. On the other hand, people are drawn to those who are positive, hopeful, and optimistic. A positive person serves as a light at the end of the tunnel while a negative person is the train – without a light!

IV. Establish Good Habits – Habits first begin as cobwebs then they become chains. Individuals who establish a regimen that combines a strong work ethic and desire to always be growing with superb organizational and service to others skills will always, win in the long term. More importantly, they will enjoy the journey more than those who never take the time to establish these vital habits.

V. Master the Art of Communication -Too often individuals believe that, they are good communicators because they have a good command of the English language. That is like saying bullfighting has something to do with agriculture. Having the microphone in your hand, or the control of the PowerPoint presentation does not mean that you are a good communicator. The greatest communicators know, the key to being a Master Communicator is being able to connect with their audience (I.E. Ronald Reagan, Zig Ziglar, Joel Osteen, Julia Roberts, etc.) not how verbose they are.

VI. Learn From Good Role Models – Regardless of your age, position or stage in life, you should always be looking for Role Models that can help you to grow in all areas of your life. Too often, individuals stop looking for role models after they have either become successful or they have experienced a series of setbacks or defeats. This is precisely when; one should search out a role model/coach/mentor. Successful individuals will have many role models in their life and career. One final note, make sure your role models do things the right way, at the right time for the right reasons, always.

VII. Thrive On Pressure – Successful people understand the following, better than those who aren’t successful; the pressure of competition should never exceed the pleasure of competition! Think, Michael Jordon, Tom Brady, Mary Lou Retton or Mia Hamm the next time you feel the pressure to perform. Then take a breath, smile and gear up for the task. Don’t think in terms of how to survive but rather how to thrive!

VIII. Be Ferociously Persistent – Successful people know to finish first, they must first finish. They realize that a delay is not a denial and the word, NO - is many times the first positive sign that serious negotiations have finally begun! They know too, that to move a mountain, they sometimes will be required to, move it one stone at a time.

IX. Learn From Adversity – The good thing about being knocked to the ground on your back is, it forces you to look up! The common trait of a championship MMA fighter, tennis champion, super bowl MVP or a successful businessperson is their ability to overcome a loss or a setback and then turn their setbacks (losing a match, a game or a business deal) into a comeback! They learn from their losses and apply what they’ve learned to increase their chances of winning the next time!

X. Survive Your Own Success – Truly successful and balanced people know there is fine line between hero and idiot, success and failure, and they strive to maintain an even keel. In other words, they don’t take themselves too seriously. They recognize the word Ego stands for, Edging God Out (Les Brown) or Edging Greatness Out. They are visionaries’ who view the future with a telescope not a microscope and therefore, they are always looking for ways to improve themselves, their product or their organization.