What – Does It Take to be Successful in Life?

As a learning junkie, I have soaked up a huge amount of information and wisdom from people, coaches, mentors and of course, the internet. Personal experiences, both successes and failures have reinforced valuable lessons. For instance, getting sacked whilst I was pregnant made me launch my first website in 2001! I have never regretted that path!

1. It Takes Courage to be Successful

It is not for the faint hearted. You will be challenged, knocked down and face difficulties that you would not wish on your worst enemy. You need to have a true belief that things will always work out in the end, no matter how difficult it is in the present moment. You must have a sense that you can push on, that you do have the energy and willpower to do what you need to do. You can pick yourself up and carry on (even if you have to do it a little slower for a while).

2. It Takes Competence to be Successful

You do not need to have a PhD in your specialty, but you do need to develop your skills and talents – for the rest of your life. One of your greatest investments will be in your education. On that note, make sure you study the right courses aligned with your authentic self, it can save a lot of time, money and effort! If you need advice on what to study and how to choose your career, seek some independent professional career advice. Don’t wait until you are bitter at 40 and then try and reinvent yourself! (But if you are over 40, it is never too late).

3. It Takes Conviction to be Successful

It is not easy to stand up for your values. There will be other people who do not agree with you. Sometimes it could even be your children (mine regularly told me to go out and get a real job!). You must not blindly pursue goals, you still need to do some research and be realistic. However, you also need a certain amount of intestinal.fortitude to push on despite the challenges and having the conviction to stick to your principles will help

4. It Takes a Cause to be Successful

 

It is very difficult to be successful if you do not have a purpose – a reason or a cause for doing what you do. It does not need to be motivated by some tragic event or bestowed upon you by someone else, but when you have a sense of why you are doing something, it makes it so much easier to maintain your courage, competence and conviction.