Part 4 – Success – Own that Space

“The person who stops studying merely because they have finished school is forever hopelessly doomed to mediocrity, no matter what their calling. The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of knowledge.” – Napoleon Hill.

Successful people know that their rewards in life is in direct relation to the value they bring to the workplace. At this point in time when things are continuously changing at an unprecedented rate, no one can afford to stagnate in the field of learning. As you improve your knowledge, your skills and gaining experience, so you are improving your potential value in the workplace and hence your claim on greater reward.

As stated in earlier sessions, success as well as failure is predictable outcomes relating to certain lifestyles or habitual behaviour. Despite their unique personalities and levels of expertise, successful people have certain core characteristics in common. One such a characteristic is a commitment towards lifelong learning and self development.

Two main areas of learning that can be identified are:

1.) The field of your chosen vocation – in other words your career, industry or business sector.

Continuous learning in this area of your life will improve your ability to do your work, or fulfil your job function, thus increase the value you bring to the workplace for which you are rewarded in return. It will establish you as a competent and resourceful player in the field of your studies. This will enable you to own that space. It also enhances your confidence level and efficiencies in this area.

2- Self development – this will typically refer to soft skills which include areas like your thinking, habits or overall behaviour.

Continuous learning in this field improves your personal report, your creativity and your ability to continuously improve on the way you applying yourself. Additional spinoffs include improvement of the quality of life, improved self esteem as well as higher confidence levels. All of these in turn enhance your performance which might lead to greater job satisfaction and ultimately a better quality of life. Success breeds success.

The main traditional sources of learning include the following:

• Formal education – schools, colleges, universities or other training institutions.
• Attending seminars and training sessions.
• The Internet, books, magazines or training material like CD’s, MP3’s etc.
• Mentorships and personal experiences.
• Networking with champions in your chosen field or joining relevant interest groups.

Denis Waitley stated that continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.

In order for you to grow to the next level in your chosen vocation or personal development, you must identify what knowledge you need to acquire next and for what purpose. Then derive at a plan for your own future development by incorporating some of the learning methods mentioned above.

This plan might include formal studies, attending seminars or simply commit to listening to podcast relating to your trade. Whilst this might not be part of your current behaviour, you will greatly improve you changes on success by cultivating habits along these lines. Your current level of success is a mere reflection of your current abilities and a typical product of your current lifestyle. In order to improve you level of success, you need to improve you scope of knowledge, skills and experiences. It will typically also require you to make some changes to your lifestyle for the better.

Once you actually plan your career and personal development path and actively go out to accumulate the relevant knowledge and exposure, you will line yourself up to seize new opportunities which otherwise would have floated by unnoticed. Commit to this plan as if your life depends on it, because it does.

“Opportunity comes to those who are prepared for it.” – Source unknown