KM Viray
Warren Buffet defined success as “having what you want and wanting what you have” and “having the people whom you love love you.” His definition does not have a trace of money or ambition or possessions mentioned in it. The measure of success depends on each person’s goals–one’s idea of success may not be the same as another’s.
There are, however, some individuals whom people generally regard as successful, such as Oprah Winfrey , Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, Rupert Murdoch of News Corp, and Melinda Gates of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Through Patricia Sellers’s interviews with such people for Fortune, she has come up with the top 10 lessons that are universal truths for everyone.
1. Don’t plan your career. Let things happen as they will. Sure, you can dream of what you think you’ll be in 30 years or so, but fate has a funny way of doing things sometimes. Planning your career may limit yourself from exploring new possibilities.
2. Forget the career ladder; climb the jungle gym. The way up isn’t always the best way. Sometimes you have to move left or right to be successful.
3. Pick people over pay. Work with good people who are smarter than you are and learn from them. These are priceless investments.
4. Do every job as if you were going to be doing it for the rest of your life. Focus on the “now.” If you spend your time thinking about what you want to do next or your eyes aren’t straight forward, you’re not fully focused on your current assignment.
5. Do the job that you’re supposed to do, but think: What’s not getting done? As the cliche goes, always think outside the box. Just because you get assigned one thing doesn’t mean that’s the only thing you have to do. And if you fail in doing more than what was asked of you, pick yourself up and learn from the experience.
6. Be curious. Every person you meet every single day can teach you a new thing. Even that guy in the cubicle next to you. You may see each other everyday, but keeping your eyes and ears open will teach you a thing or two.
7. Be nice to everyone. Don’t burn any bridges and even if you get older, keep widening that circle of yours may it be with family or workmates.
8. Listen. Listen more than you talk. Again, it’s all about learning. Plus, listening makes people keep their ties with you. Listening is a win-win situation for everyone involved since it promotes active responses back and forth.
9. To lead, line up your followers. There’s a difference between being a lead and a boss. A boss in not always a leader, and neither is a leader always the boss. The leader focuses on bringing his team up–and not just leading them, but being a part of that group as well.
10. Be honest and true. Whether it may be to a co-worker or a friend, your word is the best representation of who you are. Alongside this are your actions on staying true to your word.
Banner photo from strongwithstacy.com.
