8 Top Secrets to Success

Everyone wants to be successful. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to become successful. Even if you have a general idea of how to become successful, you may not know how to turn your biggest dreams into reality.

The following are eight top secrets to success. These tips will help you make concrete changes in your life so you can become the successful person you’re meant to be.

1. Don’t be afraid to take risks.

If you never try, you’ll never succeed. Instead of daydreaming about what could be or worrying about the bad that could happen, take risks to achieve success.

You might be familiar with Bill Gates’ story of success. He took a risk by dropping out of college to found his company, Microsoft. Although he encourages students to stay in school, he took a huge risk to turn his idea into a successful company.

Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from taking risks. If you don’t succeed, you still have a great learning opportunity.

2. Really believe in yourself.

There’s a saying, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re probably right.” Sometimes people have a tendency to underestimate the power of positive thinking. Indulging in self-doubt can cause you to sabotage yourself.

To reach success, take time to focus on your strengths and your ability to get things done. When you believe in yourself and your ideas, others will be drawn to your confidence.

During hard times, your belief in yourself can help you push through until things get better. There was a woman who almost walked away from her career because of some major roadblocks she faced. However, it was her belief in herself and her future that kept her going, even when she wanted to walk away.

3. Learn to think outside the box.

Problem-solving skills and creativity can both be powerful tools to help you reach success. Instead of accepting the status quo, consider what change you can implement to make them better.

In the 1850s and 1860s, Chicago was facing a crisis because the city wasn’t draining correctly. This led to an increase in disease and unpleasant sanitary conditions. Instead of trying the usual methods, engineers determined that raising the city by a few feet would help solve the drainage issues.

This out-of-the-box thinking led to a cleaner, more pleasant city. The engineers responsible became renowned for their critical thinking skills.

No matter what industry you’re in, you need to build critical thinking and creativity. When you learn to think outside the box, you’re ready to try new things and reach new levels of success.

4. Stop worrying about what other people may think.

Brilliant people almost always seem strange to others since their extraordinary minds set them apart from the crowd. As you take risks and try new things, you may attract negative attention from others. Instead of fixating on negative comments and attitudes, stop worrying about what other people think.

This is easier said than done. However, you’ll be better equipped for success when you stop worrying about what other people might think.

5. Focus on solutions instead of problems.

When problems come up (and they will!), make sure you’re looking at solutions instead of fixating on the problems. When you have a “can-do” attitude, you’re more likely to push past hardships to reach success.

No problem is so big it can’t be fixed. As you face hurdles in your career, remember to use your critical thinking and creativity to tackle these challenges. Each time you overcome an obstacle, you’re better equipped to deal with future struggles.

6. Learn to take responsibility for your actions.

Immature people often fail to take responsibility for their actions. Instead of owning up to their failure, they blame their circumstances on everyone else. They might blame their parents, society, their competition, or any other number of influences.

When you take responsibility for your past actions, you empower yourself to make better choices. Instead of saying, “I procrastinate because my parents were procrastinators,” learn to say, “I’m going to make changes so I procrastinate less.”

Taking responsibility for your actions has the added benefit of earning the respect of others. When someone sees you own up to your shortcomings, they’ll take note of your maturity. This is a powerful asset for building future success.

7. Learn productivity techniques.

We can’t get more time, but we can make the most of the time we have. If you feel like you’re working hard without making any real progress toward your goals, take some time to learn how to work.

There are thousands of online resources out there to help you learn productivity techniques. The Productivity Show by Asian Efficiency is a podcast that covers productivity, time management, and organization. They provide great tips to help you make the most of your time.

Even if you feel like you don’t have time to learn new things, it’s worth it to invest in your future productivity. Instead of working harder, learn to work smarter.

8. Never stop growing.

You should never reach the point where you think, “I think I’ve grown enough. I’m done.” While it looks silly on paper, this mindset is pervasive and destructive. When you become too content with your growth, you fail to reach future success.

I recently talked to an 80-year-old man who spent his working years programming the earliest computers. He was one of the leaders in the industry and knew the technology inside and out. Yet he shared how near the end of his career, the success he’d built in that technology was suddenly obsolete. New technology replaced the old, which left him unable to keep up.

There’s always room for growth. If you want to remain successful in your industry, you need to constantly grow. The day you decide you don’t need to grow anymore is the day you limit your potential.