What is it that makes successful people stand out from the crowd?
Or perhaps I should ask the question this way...
What are the things that successful people DO that everyone else does not do?
I believe we are all dealt a hand in life.
On very rare occassion that hand is stacked with a full house, but in most cases we're fortunate if we are dealt a pair of twos.
And whether or not we are smart, beautiful or talented isn't really the issue.
I regularly hear stories of people who have overcome incredible odds and gone on to do great things.
These people have can have physical disabilities.
They often have suffered some abuse at the hands of others.
They may come from an impoverished socio-economic setting.
And yet in spite of circumstances which a majority would feel sorry for, these individuals overcome, conquer and rise to the top.
How do they do it?
And if those who appear to have the deck stacked against them can do it, how much more does the opportunity exist for those who do not have to deal with extenuating circumstances?
I've been thinking about this a lot lately.
There are reasons that so many people buy lottery tickets each week, hoping to be the one-in-a-million who hits the jackpot.
There are reasons that so many people appear stuck in their jobs, unable to break free of the grind and live the life they say they want.
And there are reasons that people will fill their lives with every kind of vice and addiction in order to attempt to drown out the small voice inside that tells them "something is not quite right."
Henry David Thoreau stated, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."
I find that sad, because I don't believe it has to be that way.
I don't believe it is SUPPOSED to be that way!
And yet, only the smallest percentage of people end up having the success (financial or otherwise) that they dream of.
I have started a new category called "Keys to Success" in order to discuss what I call "The Seven Keys of the Top One Percent."
The Top One Percent is the group of people who inspire us all by their success stories.
And I believe that when we look at the things that successful people do, we can discover that the same opportunities and choices are available to all of us.
In this series of posts I will discuss these keys which I am certain contain the simple roadmap anyone can follow to chart their success path, whatever it may look like.
These keys are:
I look forward to exploring each of these keys by providing examples from my own life, as well as discussing how they relate to you and your life.
Stay tuned... it's just beginning to get interesting.
Hey Joel
I reckon you have made the perfect list, because behind it lies the secret to everything:
... be yourself.
Do you agree that the more we become who we really are, the more we succeed?
It seems to mirror your list of ideals:
Dream
Believe
Prepare
Act
Relate
Model
Grow
Be yourself ... that's all it requires.
But you know what? It can be the most difficult thing in the world. Folks think that if they try to follow their dream to be a rock star, ballet dancer, teacher in the 3rd world, tulip breeder, artist, NBA player or whatever, then how will they pay the mortgage?
The answer to that one is easy: Sure, the hardest bridge to cross is the one that leads into your own heart, but the fact remains that the Universe does not expect you to turn yourself into a tramp or a bag lady just to be true to yourself.
If we follow the path that is natural for us, find our real vocation, and then TAKE CONTINUOUS ACTION then the Universe will fill in the details.
My best as always
Jonathan
Joel, your auto ads picked up on the 'm_ortgage' word in my sentence and ran an advert. ... rather altered my meaning!
Still a fan. :-)
Jonathan
You forgot 'focus' and 'persistence'. I think that these are key to reaching your goals. I have a mind like a tornado so it is difficult for me to focus on one thing for too long. It don't have the persistence to finish many things so that's why I fail...
...alot
I think one of the biggest things that can hold us back is the power to move on an idea, fits back to believing, but if you believe in yourself and take that all important step and dont get crushed in the process more would be willing to "get going"
Joel, thank you! I hope you enjoyed Harv's stage. He is a very special man. That is why it is up to each and everyone of us to share the simple process to living a freedom filled life. A thought leads to a feeling and a feeling leads to an action, and this is where most STOP!!!!! We must help them top take action because that leads to results. We have met and I am proud to know you. Keep Giving.
Jed A. Reay
Joel,
One of the words that best describes me (when you consider my background and how I got to be where I am today)... is the word DETERMINATION.
As you eloquently put it, "They often have suffered some abuse at the hands of others."
That describes me to a "T" and as a result of an abusive husband, I vowed never to be in a situation again where I felt like the underdog! As a result, I was determined - "Come hell or high water" that my life was going to be different after I got a divorce and moved 520 miles away!
Cheers to you for posting this section on your website. Perhaps someone else suffering, as I once did, shall read your posts and be able to break free from the ties that bind them.
Kudos!
All good things,
Bonnie Gean
Along these same lines, I'd like to recommend an audio program that changed my life. It's an older recording (maybe about 20-25 years old), but its timeless principles of success still hold true today. It's called "Lead the Field" by the late Earl Nightingale, and it's packed with amazing insights on how to reach your full potential. This isn't some psychobabble either, but practical advice on successful living. Like you, Joel, Earl Nightingale was fascinated with the paradox that, in a world where success is literally available to everyone, so few people really tried to reach their potential, choosing instead to "lead lives of quiet desparation," as Thoreau so eloquently put it. This tape set is available from Nightingale-Conant.
Success is how you think
Success is a planned event and is based largly on how you think
Joel,
Great topic. I would add one more to the list: Persevere. We may have the most inspirational Dream, Believe in ourselves or our goals, and do all the other things on your list, but trials and tribulations will come. If we don't persevere and continue on our quest, we will still fall short of our goals.
Jim
Sounds like an interresting series of articles...
After all of the above, the one thing that seperates the 1% is hard work. There is no other way to success except to be willing to put your whole heart and mind into your plan of attack.
Great list. And I'm sure it will be a great series. Looking forward to it.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
-- Thomas Edison, Inventor
Great list, so many folks, myself included, get stuck in the dream phase and let time pass by because we can't ever TRULY hit the believe phase. I think once you make that jump, things move quickly through prepare and act ... and then stuck again.
Looking forward to more!
Growing up here in Europe but spending a few years working
in the US, I'd learn one very useful thing, -Just do it !!
Europeans: "Lets think about it"
Americans: "Lets do it"
Cheers
Pat
Hey Joel,
Awesome post! I love looking out for your emails, videos, and blog post like this.
Keep posting stuff like this, you are an inspiration to me and many others :-)
I agree with Annie. A lot of times we do a lot more dreaming and hopeing than acting. Staying focused and headed in the right direction is one of my hardest tasks.
Courage! ... which could be applied to EVERY contribution so far.
Joel, this is powerful stuff. Can't wait to read more.
I just want to add one more thing here. My now-deceased mother-in-law suffered from very bad osteoporosis. Near the end of her life, she was struggling to get up from her chair and her daughter asked "Do you need some help?" She took a moment, then replied sagely, "No. I just need courage."
Ain't that the truth???
Nancy
If you want to free your mind and get out the rut, then read, "Think and Grow Rich."
Then maybe listen to some Jim Rohn
Too often, our dreams remain lofty and vague and we don't get really clear and grounded into a specific vision for our dream and what our bigger WHY is (i.e., WHY our dream is important to us).
If we get this level of clarity when our dreams are fresh, it can act as a dependable tether when old habits try to draw us into being lazy, unfocused or afraid to take required actions. Having a level of clarity such that we can really touch and feel our dreams AS IF they were already reality creates tremendous energy and momentum which will drive us through what is required to make them a reality.
If you're interested, listen to a couple of recently featured stories on my blog of ordinary people who have accomplished truly extraordinary things despite tremendous obstacles (e.g., Majora Carter and Bill Strickland). Inspiration to know that we all CAN become much more than we imagine!
Joel, I'm looking forward to this dialogue - thanks for initiating it!
How do I stop receiving "Joel Comm's Top 1% newsletter? I did not order it nor do I appreciate being told I would be automatically billed for it.
Joel, your content is usually very useful and fun.
Please don't make this a Dear Abbey bunch of psychobabble.
You forgot the word(s) Time = Money
This is may be the only time I don't believe what I read from you.
I don't share your point of view, I guess I'm too realistic.
;o(
bluebeetleone
Joel,
I know just what you are talking about when you say everyone should be able to live the life of abundance. I have also been doing research on how two people can have the same chance and one will go further than the other. What drives that successful person and what didn't drive the other. Good topic.
I also agree with what Chuck Frey said about Earl Nightengale his work is timeless.
Thanks,
Malik
Look forward to series Joel...I think 'Desire' is also another key ingredient...A strong urge to make a difference in our own lives pushes you to do the unthinkable...It is probably closely linked to 'Dream' in your list...
Hi Joel,
It seems an interesting series of articles ahead.
"Relate,Model,Grow" are unique in your list.
Looking forward to a good read.
Best Wishes,
Kannan Viswagandhi
http://www.growing-self.blogspot.com
It's going to be interesting...
I'm reading a comments how people see the keys to personal success.
For me it's just how effectively you use your five natural abilities and they all are represented by one word - FOCUS.
Finding - persistence and determination to find solutions
Organizing - most complicated systems work in harmony when they are well organized
Creativity - need to be explained?
Utilizing - assets, knowledge and experience
Simplicity - the real power behind any kind of success
FOCUS can be used in your private life and even in any business. And more effectively you use it better the results.
Great comments, all!
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I'm a huge fan of "The Secret". My family thinks I'm a little nuts because I've taped the note "We Become What We Think" all over the house as a daily reminder to myself of where I'm going. I do believe we can only achieve what we ourselves believe we can achieve.
Joel,
This will be a great series! I could identify with the lowly beginnings that you described for some folks, my wife and I both had them. But, we've grown and consistently followed our dreams and fulfilled goals (that we sometimes didn't even recognize!). We now live as we couldn't have dreamed when we started out because we had no way to visualize something we couldn't imagine.
But, we're not done! We've been blessed, and we recognize that. But, we also know that we have been given the gift of being able to visualize the future and then make it happen. So, we'll keep on doing that!
We're both looking forward to your series of posts, and we will pay attention!
Dale
Thanx, Joel. I look forward to your series. So far so good!
It never seems to amaze me how some people can be so cynical over genuine products, services or individuals. Writing from Malawi, getting a blog like mine up and running has met with a lot of "dream killers". Include how you handled those as you write Joel. Otherwise bring your series on. I owe a lot to you.
Thanks
Great Stuff Joel,
There are more and more marketers talking about the real elements of becoming successful online and leveraging on the unspoken parts that make up human interaction and success.....
Dreams are where it all starts and finishes..... Your list is spot on as it directly relates to the person themselves, rather than the lack of knowledge or tools or resources that every man and his dog markets daily....
Excellent Post mate, always a pleasure to follow your growth and wisdom weekly...
Clayton Johnston
http://www.zenergenius.com
Zenergenius Founder
Joel, I remember what my earlier boss said to me. "When the opportunity comes to you, and you are not ready to capture it, you will lose it. So You must always be ready."
More than two weeks I have set google adsense in my blog, but there is no click or impression. It because of I use free web hosting or wrong application?
Hopefully you will help me in this case. Nice to hear your success in this business.
Wise words. I think if you assume that most of what happens in your life (it is yours after all, right?) happens as a production of your own thoughts. There's a Buddhist saying: pain happens to you, suffering is what you do with the pain.
My father survived the horrors of WWII, a concentration camp, and 6 years after the war in a displaced persons camp. I really have idea how he made it out alive. But he came here, dejected and nearly destroyed, put his focused his attention on the things in front of him and just plunged right into experience. He could have just checked out; but I think he realized something about life: it's only now (not yesterday or tomorrow).
Once you see that all that happens happens now, you've already conquered adversity.
Thanks for the post Joel!
Sounds a lot like Think and grow Rich...hope it's not a rehash...:)
Everything in life is Basic..
I have been thinking lot about success lately. Even listening to some very good motivational speakers every week. Today was an enormously successful day for me. My 20 year old daughter found out that she does not have cancer. Now that's success!! On the other hand Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter died today. I am very thankful to God that today was a successful day for my family. Rich and poor the Lord is the maker of them all!
Joel relly know his stuff about the world wide web. Keep up the great work.
How retailers become need fillers: http://billpaymentservice.blogspot.com
Joel,
You really pointed out the undeniable points to achieve success. But success is really for those top one percent. otherwise there will be no such words like unsuccessful or failure.
yeah, believe what you believe , and work hard to achieve. :)
Great post, Joel. Very true. I would also say that the 3 P's (persistance, perseverance and patience) need to be added to the list. For me, that was absolutely crucial. I am homebound due to a chronic illness, and the internet is an absolute godsend. But, without persistance and a huge dose of determination, I don't think I would have been able to get my sites off the ground. It takes time and strong belief in what you are doing.