Rather than asking, how can I be successful?
I asked, what can I do NOT to be successful?
The rephrase is based on a mental model
introduced by a great mathematician, Carl Jacobi.
It’s called “Inversion Thinking.”
Instead of asking how to write like a pro.
Ask, how to write like an amateur.
It’s easier to avoid making dumb mistakes
Then trying to be right all the time.
I will look too dumb if I continue making these mistakes.
It’s one of the common interview questions.
Most of the time, people answer it with some adjectives.
– Reliable
– Outgoing
– Energetic
– Team player
– Dependable
But there is more to this question than just a bunch of adjectives.
People who have achieved a lot in their lives can be easily defined in three words.
Here are a few examples:
Gandhi – Truth, Non-violence, Equality.
J.F. Kennedy – Service, Social Justice, Collaboration.
Steve Jobs – Innovation, Visionary, Disruptive.
In their case, the three words are their philosophies, rather than mere adjectives.
Now think again, what are the three words that describe you?
It’s not an easy exercise, but a worthwhile one.
Once you know what you’re all about, what you stand for,
you will find the inner drive that will guide you
I recently did the exercise and the three words that describe me are:
“Freedom, Power and Adventure.”
‘Freedom’ to do whatever I want to do.
‘Power’ to make it happen.
A life full of ‘adventure.’
I would add a fourth one as well:
‘Authorpreneur’ turning writing into a business.
This is exactly what I do and how I live.
Growth and progression are relevant at every stage of your career — not just when you’re starting out.
Here are 3 tips from my own 20 years of ascending the career ladder.
1) Embrace Lifelong Learning:
After taking a seven-year break to raise my kids, re-entering the job market was difficult, to put it mildly.
Even though I had a Master’s in Biochemistry, two incomplete Ph.D.s (a story for another day), and a portfolio of published research papers in esteemed Biochemistry journals, I struggled to secure even a research assistant position.
Undeterred, I embarked on a new journey by returning to university, pursuing an additional degree in Information Technology.
The result?
Five job offers on the table—making the decision which one to accept a pleasant predicament.
But my story doesn’t conclude there. I continued to invest in my professional development, undertaking 2-3 courses annually at my expense.
This commitment paid off, propelling me into a senior manager position within eight years.
2) Mentorship Matters:
Success is seldom a solo journey.
We all require support to learn and grow. Instead of solely seeking mentors for myself, I actively sought opportunities to become a mentor.
Guiding others through their learning, assisting with implementation, and fostering growth became a rewarding part of my journey
Besides, mentorship is a two-way street; you not only impart your knowledge, but you also gain fresh perspectives from younger employees.
3) Build Professional Network:
As a seasoned professional, your network is likely one of your most valuable assets.
Although I am an introvert, I made sure I attended IT events, connected with colleagues in other departments and organizations, and took part in professional groups.
My career progression stemmed from the influence I cultivated with the individuals in my professional network.
Your journey doesn’t end with securing a job and doing well; it’s about evolving, adapting, and continuing to set new goals.
By embracing lifelong learning, engaging in mentorship, and building a robust professional network, seasoned professionals can not only stay relevant but thrive in an ever-changing professional landscape.
Productivity is not about doing more in less time.
It is not about making to-do lists, prioritizing them, or even outsourcing.
It is about “making time” in your day for the things you care about.
What are your priorities?
– Spending time with your family?
– Learning a language?
– Starting a side business?
– Volunteering?
– Writing a book?
Whatever you want to do, “make time” for it.
Life is so busy and chaotic. That’s why we are constantly stressed and distracted. We have too many things on the go that are competing for every minute of our time.
We are in we-must-fill-every-minute-with-productivity-bandwagon.
Overflowing inboxes, stuffed calendars, endless to-do lists, apps, and other sources of never-ending content, most of our time is spent by default attending to these things.
Productivity isn’t the solution.
I have tried every productivity trick to do more.
The trouble is there are always more tasks waiting to be done.
The faster I ran on the hamster wheel the faster it spun.
So I got off the hamster wheel.
– I deleted apps.
– I banned devices.
– I scrapped to-do lists.
And I “made time” for the things I really wanted to do.
I am now less busy but feel more productive.
I am working only 4 hours a day now but achieving much more.
What things you are doing by default?
What do you need to “make time” for?
“You can’t have each day as a ‘sexy’ day,” said my friend.
We were coming back from a parlor after having a facial. It was the highlight of the day for us. Something we wanted to do for months. Something we were looking forward to all week.
“Why not?” I protested.
“Because most days are mundane. The same job. The same housework. Even the entertainment is the same. There is nothing new. The same stuff over and over again.”
“Give me something to look forward to.” I said. “I don’t want to wake up each day to cook and clean and tire myself with mundane routine. I want to wake up to do something special each day.”
“Good luck to you then.” She said.
We had this conversation before I finished working and became a full-time writer.
In my new life, I wanted to do interesting stuff, so that I had something to look forward to each day.
I was determined to make each day count.
So,
I learned new skills.
I started my website.
I wrote a blogpost a day.
I wrote and self-published books.
I enrolled in several online courses.
I wrote on social media platforms.
I interviewed interesting people
I got interviewed.
I made friends.
I sketched.
I traveled.
I am a published author now.
People all over the world are reading my stories.
I have made friends in countries I still haven’t visited.
If I ‘Google’ my name, there is a ton of content with my name on it.
I am having a ‘sexy day,’ every day.
Some nights I am so excited, I find it hard to sleep.
I want the day to continue.
How are your days?
Are you having ‘sexy days?’
If not, what are you doing to make them ‘sexy days.’
All my businesses failed to be profitable.
At age 28, I started an artificial jewelry business.
Imitating a friend who had a successful jewelry stall in a busy shopping center, I bought jewelry from India and tried to sell it at a local school fete. I barely recovered my money.
At age 37, I got into the real estate business. That was the year Australia experienced its worst recession. Needless to say, I didn’t sell a single house.
At age 41, I established a network marketing business with a reputed company. I spent thousands of dollars setting it up and advertising it.
I even went part time at my job letting go of half the salary for six months.
After giving it to my heart and soul for six years, I had to give it up.
For years, I saw myself as a failure.
Then one day, thinking about them from a different perspective, I realized they were not failures.
They were the stepping stones for bigger and better things in my life.
From the jewelry business, I learned how markets worked. I learned more by doing it and failing at it than I would have by succeeding at it.
From the real estate business, I learned about negotiations and my local housing market.
I saved thousands of dollars down the track when we bought our house and several investment properties.
From network marketing, I learned confidence in presenting ideas, self-mastery, and people management skills. They helped me to win leadership roles in my job.
I owe a lot of what I became in life to my network of marketing business mentors.
The monetary gains are not the only gains you should seek from endeavors you take.
You learn more from failing than you can from succeeding.