Success means a world of different things to different people. No one could argue that physics founder, Albert Einstein and his friend, silent film star Charlie Chaplin, would measure their own successes by the same criteria. Some people measure their successes by how they can improve the world they live in, some by how they can enrich other people’s lives through community action and awareness and others by how they can influence the world for the better. As subjective as success seems to be, the formula for success seems to be equally elusive as well. We can, however, wrap our brains around similar philosophies and mindsets that successful people share. Tracking similar characteristics of some of the world’s most iconic success stories, we can gain more insight into how we can adopt some of those work philosophies to guide us to our own success stories. At Venture X, we know that everyone has the same amount of time in their day as everyone else. Successful people develop habits that make the best use of their time. We have to wonder what have living and legendary successful people set in place to get them where they are today?
Successful people possess a strong sense of purpose
Home grown humorist, novelist, lecturer and entrepreneur, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Knowing who you are and what you want to achieve makes it easier to set realistic goals for yourself. That’s not saying that your goals won’t shift along the way but the stability of knowing what makes you tick, makes it easier to conquer obstacles on the journey to success.
Successful people know what they want and go for it
Cartoonist, animator, film producer, entrepreneur and American animation pioneer, Walt Disney once commented, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Along with courage, Walt Disney’s drawing talent and ability to see beyond the technology of his time, paved the way for moving cartoons, to fully animated feature length motion pictures. Along with the courage to help develop new technology, Walt Disney was always exploring new ways to tell the stories that are now ingrained in our popular culture. Disney purportedly held himself and his company to high standards in order to reach for the stars and achieve his goals.
Successful people realize that time is of the essence and set realistic goals along with what steps they have to achieve to get there
Neil Armstrong, engineer, astronaut, professor and first man on the moon knows a thing or two about good work habits and what it takes to achieve what you want. Knowing what you want and focusing on your strengths helps you set realistic time-sensitive goals. Organizing your projected progress into smaller, doable sections also keeps you on a time track that can motivate your forward progress. As Armstrong succinctly put it, “I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don’t intend to waste any of mine.” Go figure.
Successful people stay focused
Michael Jordan, a brand unto himself, is considered the best basketball player of all time, and now, the owner of the Charlotte Hornets NBA team. He knows how to focus on what he wants. No one can be really good at everything. Concentrating on specific activities that promote your goals is essential to achieving what you want. Jordan once said, “Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen and other people make it happen.” Of course, it doesn’t hurt to be 6’6,” well-spoken, good-looking and play basketball better than anyone else . . . ever.
Successful people are open to new ideas and are adaptable
Even though you know what you want and what you’re going for, innovator and entrepreneurial types realize they need to keep an open mind, learn new things and listen to others to keep ahead of the pack. American Nobel Prize novelist and adventurer, Ernest Hemingway influenced the course of 20th century fiction with his “economical and understated style.” Hemingway is famous for saying, “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” Staying focused also means listening to your colleagues, as well as your competitors. When you listen, you often find your way around obstacles or come up with something that works better than your original plan. Harry Potter creator and ruling fantasy fiction innovator, JK Rowling, offered this bit of magical wisdom, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Again, a little idea about a boy wizard and some incredible ideas about how to build a technologically complex fantasy world do help.
Successful people are confident, committed, and patient and know how to channel their negative emotions
Knowing what you want, having confidence in your ideas and actions goes a long way in keeping your ideas and actions moving towards your goal. Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian Independence Movement against British rule, pioneered the idea of non-violent protest. Gandhi said, “A small body of determined spirits, fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” Stay thirsty my friends. Gandhi didn’t say that, but it applies. Patience and commitment are definitely aligning virtues for Tesla inventor and business magnate, Elon Musk, whose goals include reducing global warming through sustainable energy and reducing the risk of human extinction, by establishing colonies on other planets, Mars, as it turns out. While we see Musk’s visions for sustainable energy production and consumption becoming a reality today, his Mars colonization plan still has a ways to go. But as Musk put it, “If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it.” And there it is. On that same note, our favorite energy enthusiast, Albert Einstein, whose unconventional theories changed the world as we know it, but took a while for people to catch onto, once said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” Einstein channeled negative emotions into his piano playing, so they didn’t interfere with his work or blur his vision.
Successful people are passionate and effectively communicate their passion
Loving what you do shows in your work and transforms your ideas and dreams into success. Prolific artist and probably the most influential painter in the Modern Art movement, Pablo Picasso said, “Everything you can imagine is real.” Expanding on that thought, another American Nobel Prize novelist and women’s rights activist, Pearl S. Buck said that, “Self-expression must pass into communication for its success.” Successful people can communicate their ideas into action. Dynamic communication in any business venture is the lifeline to success. Venture X in Naples, Florida offers a shared workspace environment where collaboration and communication are on the agenda every day. Located in Mercato, the heart of Naples, Venture X, part boutique hotel and part modern office space, is where a diverse community of architects, health and fitness publishers, tech startups, attorneys, small businesses and other professionals foster good working habits and networking opportunities. Contact Venture X Naples to get your work habits in gear and your ideas up and running, in a space geared to your success.
