AgenteNews Insurance Producer's Online Resource
If there is one thing that holds the most power over your success, you can bet that it comes down to your beliefs. Before you even have the opportunity to consciously process the reason behind your actions and the results those actions put into play, your beliefs are at work determining whether you are headed toward success or disaster.
There are literally tens of thousands of actions you take daily (some consciously, most unconsciously), but do you know how those actions are affecting your success? You can probably think of at least one action that you have taken in the past that didn’t necessarily deliver the results you desired. With conscious awareness, you have the ability to examine and identify what went wrong and what you could change to bring about a different result next time.
But what about all those times you make unconscious decisions that bring about undesired results? How do you stop them from occurring? Here is your opportunity to learn how to master your beliefs and head for success.
Tip #1: You are only as successful as your beliefs.
Are your beliefs supporting your success? The most definitive way to know whether your beliefs are leading to success or disaster is to examine what you say to yourself. Do you typically think to yourself that you will be successful or that there’s no use in trying, because it will never work? The nature of your belief system—positive or negative—will be the single greatest determining factor in your success, so you had better start thinking success.
When the negative talk starts swirling in your head, just cancel it out, sweep it out, delete it. Focus on the positive (and what you really want), and remember that your success is completely dependent upon you and you alone. Although you can allow talk from those around you to negatively affect your progress, no one can prevent you from achieving your goals. The determining factor is always and only your ability to hold true to your belief in yourself.
There is always a way, so take a “no-excuses” approach to achieving your goals and you will achieve them. The way isn’t necessarily apparent, and if you feel like you’ve hit a roadblock, get creative. You’d be surprised how you can come up with some creative and effective solutions when you think outside the box. The idea is to maintain an element of creativity when coming up with solutions, so you are constantly expanding your belief system.
Tip #2: Take ownership of your life.
Are you the driver or passenger in your life? Don’t think for a second that sitting in the passenger seat is going to get you where you want to be. If you want to be successful, you have to make plans, take action and commit to achieving your goals. Surrendering the wheel to the “luck of life” will not give you peace of mind, but it will mean you’re in for a rough ride. When you give up control, you are at the mercy of whatever life throws at you, and you will most likely get everything you do not want. Success only comes from those who drive their own life. Don’t just take things for granted. Create a game plan and focus on what you can control: YOU and your actions!
Tip #3: Are you a victim or a master?
There is one solid rule you can count on: successful entrepreneurs never think of themselves as victims. This is the major factor that separates the wealthy from the poor. The wealthy understand they are 100% responsible for their reality, making them masters of accountability. When there is no one to blame, there is no finger to point, and therefore, no crime. With no crime, there cannot be a victim. Period. There is something magical that happens when you take 100% responsibility for your own success—and that is a feeling of freedom. You are your own entity, and you control your own destiny; it all starts with your beliefs.
Tip #4: Consider the results if you do or don’t take action.
Becoming a conscious action-taker requires some practice if you’re not used to understanding how your beliefs shape your success or disaster. It may seem a bit daunting at first, but once you learn how to look ahead, you’ll be able to process decisions with greater accuracy. Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle of it. On one side, write this question, “What are the possible outcomes, results and benefits if I take action?” On the other side, write, “What are the possible outcomes, results and benefits if I do not take action?” From that list, circle the results that you most desire and you’ll have the right action to take.
Tip #5: Listen to your gut.
This is a tip that is too often overlooked. You would be surprised at how many successful entrepreneurs admit that they went on nothing more than a “hunch” and ended up hitting it out of the park. While this kind of instant success rarely happens, your gut can be more right than your head in many situations. Approach decisions with an awareness of how you feel about them. Do you get a “bad feeling”? Do you get butterflies from your excitement? Stick to decisions that feel “good” and stay away from the ones that make you feel “bad.”
When you expand your belief system, you expand your success. In addition, when you learn to make decisions based on your awareness of wealth and success, your beliefs will shape your success in the way you want it.
