Want to Be Successful? Stop Doing these Six Things Starting Now

Who hasn’t heard the adage, “Quitters never win and winners never quit?” But, you’ve probably heard Michael Jordan talk about his career and already know he learned a lot more from losing than winning. So, why is it that we think quitting or failing are bad things? They’re not. In fact, quitting is quite healthy in some life aspects. And, that’s the key to being successful — to know when to stop doing something to move forward.

Be More Successful by Not Doing these 6 Things

Research conducted by the University of Rochester reveals there are two primary motivations, approaching goals and avoiding goals. Now, that’s sounds strange, but it makes sense when explained. The former personalities find motivation in challenges but also know when it’s futile to continue. The latter group greatly avoid goals due to fear of failure. So, they don’t give up, even when it’s totally illogical to continue.

If we didn’t have to work hard to reach success, we wouldn’t appreciate it. If there’s something you’re putting off because it’s boring you, it’s hard, physically demanding or tiring…just get up and get it done. Quit avoiding it. There will be rewards along the way and there will be a great sense of accomplishment at the end. —Forbes

Call it bull-headed, stubborn, tenaciousness, or perseverance, it does shed light on a peculiar behavior that represents a real dichotomy. Studies show those who don’t give up typically “win” more often than people who quit. But, not everything works out that way. Realizing when it’s time to stop doing something is just as important as not giving up on realistic goals. To be more successful, you must stop doing these six things right now:

  1. Stop doubting yourself. Doubt and fear are powerful foes. Each acts as a paralyzing weapon which causes angst, anxiety, and more negative feelings. When you doubt your own abilities, you’re giving into an illogical fear. Tap into your confidence and let the self-doubt go.
  2. Stop procrastinating. Tomorrow is always a day away and it’s why the “Free Drinks: Tomorrow” meme is a popular one. Tomorrow is also known as an excuse. If everything was easy, you wouldn’t procrastinate and tackle it head on. So, stop putting things off and reap the rewards of accomplishment.
  3. Stop dodging choices. There’s always a choice and sometimes, too many. But, you always have a choice and if there’s not a good one, simply chose not to undercut yourself. Think outside of the box, if necessary. But whatever you do, don’t give away your power to choose.
  4. Stop the insanity cycle. We all know how Einstein defined insanity, by doing the same thing time and again and expecting a different result. Realize when your efforts are not yielding fruit and go in a different direction. After all, it’s the smart thing to do.
  5. Stop believing it’ll work out. When you wait for things to just “naturally work out,” you’ll wait an awfully long time. It takes hard work to get ahead and just waiting around won’t move the needle. Take action and you’ll experience traction.
  6. Stop saying “yes” all the time. If you’ve seen the movie “Yes Man” you already know that by breaking this habit, you’re not constantly giving your time away. “No” by itself is indeed a complete sentence and it can easily be far more healthy than saying “yes.”

What have you stopped doing to improve your chances of success? Which changes did you adopt that yielded the best results? Please share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment!

Interested in learning more about growing your business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

[shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

Related Posts

Steps to Starting a Successful Side Business

There’s nothing wrong with supplementing your income, or, to start on a journey to pursue a dream. A side business is an avenue for both, but, like most full-time employees, you’re wondering just how to get started. It might surprise you, but it’s not just about the logistics. While the nuts-and-bolts are certainly vital, you’ll also have to deal with other things. In other words, it’s not just about carving out the time, being able to deliver on your promises, but also, finding personal fulfillment. Too many people start side businesses, burn the candle from both ends, and wind-up burning out. What you do need to understand is that, especially early on, the right mindset is key to future success. You’ll probably start out on fire, ready to tackle whatever comes your way. Inevitably, there will be problems, whether big obstacles or temporary setbacks. If you keep in a positive frame of mind and learn from mistakes, you’ll go much further. You’ll also need a workable game plan that rewards each achievement step you reach. Steps to Starting a Successful Side Business First, you must consider a few things, such as: is this a needed service or product? Can I deliver on a tight schedule? What competition will I face? Is there room for scaling-up? Of course, the biggest question will be can the time invested turn a profit and if not immediately, when will it realistically do so? People’s initial motivation is often money – they want to save more, pay off debt or simply afford a better lifestyle for themselves and their families. But then, it often morphs into something deeper, as people realize that their side businesses allow for a creative expression and satisfaction that can be hard to find in their full-time jobs. —Entrepreneur.com Next, understand and accept that you’ll have two demanding jobs. That’s going to bring some stress, it’s just unavoidable, and, it will also zap your energy. The trick is to set your sights on your goals and be convinced they are within reach, it’s okay if it takes time to realize. Don’t make the mistake of rushing because you’ll likely sabotage yourself and be willing to give it a solid test run, knowing that it might not work out. If you’re willing to make the commitment, get past the planning and taking action, you can make it work. Getting down to the nitty-gritty, the following steps are what you’ll need to do in order to start a successful side business: Reframe your way of thinking. Don’t let your day job be an obstacle, instead, think about all the positive things it provides. First, it does put a constraint on you, but that’s a good thing because it spurs creativity. In addition, look at your full time position as a funding source and a place to sharpen your skills. Determine workable, key actions. You’ll need a written list of workable, key actions — things that will move your idea forward, but don’t just keep ruminating. Every step should move you in the right direction with purpose. Restructure your schedule. This probably sounds too obvious, but too many people who try to start a side business, fall prey into thinking their schedules are already set. Dedicate routine times to work your side gig and be willing to make adjustments as necessary. Network whenever you can. If circumstances allow it, you can network at your full-time position, letting co-workers know what you’re offering. If not, there are plenty of other venues: your child’s school, your church, your gym, places you volunteer and visit often. Entrepreneurs are one of America’s greatest assets! Whether you are starting a business part time or full time, now it’s your turn to be an All American Entrepreneur while achieving your goals and growing our economy one great business idea at a time! [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Read More »

3 Effective Strategies for Dealing with Networking Fears

Networking fears are far more common than people think. Having jitters when out at a conference, while professionals get together, or any other event, can make even the most astute business person feel overwhelmed. It’s difficult for some people to get past their nervousness, and they wind up avoiding everyone else, which completely defeats the purpose of being out-and-about in the first place. But, you don’t have to be paralyzed by anxiety, if you rely on some effective coping methods. Why Business Networking is Important Everyone starts somewhere in business, which is to say at the bottom. Most people don’t open a business and get flooded with tons and tons of sales right away. So, it is necessary to get you and your brand out in front of the public and networking is a great way to build a reputation. Everyone experiences bouts of networking anxiety! Rather than avoiding a handshake or resorting to only interacting with your smartphone when you’re at a conference, use [proven techniques] to face your networking fears head-on. —Inc.com It’s also a terrific way of keeping your interpersonal skills sharp, as well as learning your preferred choice for dealing with awkward situations, including breaking the ice. Ultimately though, it’s about building a network of contacts that can benefit your business, as well as those of others to be a help to them, thus building a two-way, win-win street. 3 Effective Strategies for Dealing with Networking Fears It’s quite common for people to experience at least a small or slight level of apprehension when networking. Of course, some have more severe anxiety than others, but there are effective ways of dealing with these types of feelings. Here are some of the best ways to deal with networking fears: Ground yourself in reality. Start by asking yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” You already know the answer but your fears can get in the way. When you feel nervous and apprehensive, it’s very easy to blow things out of proportion. Rest assured there is really nothing to be afraid about. Open yourself to other options. Networking doesn’t have to be done at large events with dozens upon dozens or scores galore of people. Instead, think of some alternatives, like having breakfast or lunch one-on-one. Or, get together in a small group of just a few individuals, instead of having to brave a super-sized group of people. This strategy works best for people who are afraid of large groups, especially those who like to avoid a chaotic fish bowl. Be confident in your value to others. The best source of strength you’ll have in any networking situation is to be confident in what you have to offer others. You do have something of value and are competent in your wheelhouse. So, draw on you are sense of confidence in order to project an attractive and positive energy. What other advice do you have to deal with networking fears? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Read More »