Success is based on turning a few critical behaviors into daily habits. Predict anyone’s level of success based on the presence or absence of these 5 behaviors.
Since launching my Think2SuccessNow blog with my first article on January 31, 2012, I’ve become a bit of a researcher on the topic. The question I am in search of the answer to is this – can success be predicted? What I’ve discovered is that all successful people consistently exhibit 5 specific behaviors. The presence or absence of them accurately predicts a person’s level of success, and now you and others can use the list of questions below to identify specific actions to go to the next level of success in your career.
What are You Reading?
Knowledge is power, and all successful people are obsessive readers. They spend a great deal of their time staying at the top of their game by reading key publications in their area of expertise and trade. They know the pace of change is only increasing, and the only way to stay on top of it is to read. The late Motivational Speaker Keith Harrell was fond of saying, “The person who does not read is no better than the person who cannot.” If you’re not reading, you’re not growing, and that’s why this is such a strong predictor of a person’s level of success.
Bonus Tip: If you want recommendations on what to read to enhance your success, read my article “5 Books that Will Explode Your Success“. I also highly recommend Jim Smith, Jr.’s “The No Excuse Guide to Success“.
What are You Communicating?
If you stop and listen to most conversations, you’ll hear a lot of complaining and problem spotting. Those are predictably success-blocking behaviors. All successful people develop the habit of adapting and seeking solutions. They seek solutions by asking questions. Marilee Adams, author of “Change Your Questions, Change Your Life” says, “Great results begin with great questions. The best way to solve any problem is to come up with better questions because thinking actually occurs as an internal question and answer process.” Any questions?
What are You Growing?
The goal of every action a successful person takes is to improve and grow. John Maxwell is known for focusing on growth instead of setting goals because he says as long as you’re growing, you’ll achieve any goals you set. So the question is this – what are you growing? Before every action, ask yourself, “Will this action help me improve and grow?” If the answer is not “yes”, then you should reconsider the need to take the action. That’s what successful people do.
What are You Wearing?
You are a brand, and your appearance is a major contributor to the perceptions others have of you. Whether you like it or not, everything you wear adds to or subtracts from your perceived brand value. All successful people are very clear about the image they portray, and they do it by being distinctive and consistent in ways that appeal to those they want to influence. If your image is not one of success, then it’s easy to predict how much success you will achieve.
What are You Investing In?
Successful people invest in people, and the majority of the people they surround themselves with are people who are growing. Another investment behavior you’ll see successful people make is what I wrote about in my blog article. They set aside time and monetary resources to increase their Return On Luck by seizing opportunities that unexpectedly appear. To increase your success, be sure you’re making the appropriate levels of investments in people and opportunities.
Achieving and maintaining success is not easy, and as you can see, there is a bit of science behind it that reveals a series of behaviors that are required to achieve it. Below is a quick reference graphic I created to help you improve any of the 5 behaviors that are strong predictors of success. Print it to grow your success, and share it with others who desire to grow their success to the next level and beyond.
5 Behavioral Predictors of Success
The Floor is Yours
What other strategies have you found to be very effective at achieving and growing your success? Please share your feedback in the comments below.
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