What would you say is your likelihood for success?
Give it a percentage.
100% being a locked-in guarantee, and 0% being absolutely no chance.
I can confidently say that I believe there is an 87% chance I succeed in life.
When I close my eyes, I see myself helping thousands of people live a healthy lifestyle, in
positive relationships with people I love, and a dog at my side (VERY important).
Now, I can already hear you asking yourself how I got to 87%.
Because I believe that my success is primarily determined by MY choices, MY actions, and MY behaviors.
The key word is primarily.
As a perfectionist, I would love to say that if I put enough into those three things that I could guarantee myself success.
But that’s not possible.
Because there is always a percentage that which I cannot control.
People, weather, circumstances, or simply bad luck are some of the outside conditions that regardless of how hard I try, I will never be able to control.
But still, why 87%?
I think 15% is too great of odds for outside conditions.
I respect the outside circumstances, but to me, 15% is just a little too much of a chance for them to beat me.
There is too much work, passion, and love for what I do with my life to give outside
conditions a 15% chance of halting my success.
I take a lot of pride in being able to look inward to better understand how I can solve problems and make right from failures.
It has NOT always been this way.
Because just thinking I have an 87% likelihood for success isn’t enough.
Success is more than a mindset.
It’s a skillset.
A skillset that I have learned and must continue to refine,
However, it’s one that anyone can learn if you truly want to succeed.
On the surface, it looks like three simple steps, but it’s a process and one that requires continuous work.
Let’s start with the first.
Responsibility
In this form, it’s thought of as a thing, but responsibility is an action, a characteristic, and a way of being.
If you want an 87% chance of success, then you need to start believing that you are primarily responsible for your successes and failures.
Whether in a team, a partnership, or facing absurdly challenging circumstances, you are responsible for the actions, choices, and behaviors that bring you to the end result.
Here’s three ways to begin taking responsibility
- Be Responsible No Matter What – Take ownership for the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s easy to take responsibility for the successes and positives in your life, but doing that when life gets hard, is TOUGH. True responsibility comes no matter what, so the next time you take on a project or task, be completely responsible for the outcome, no matter what.
- Recognize Your Power – You have the ability to take responsibility regardless the outcome, but you may not yet recognize you have that power. You are the only one who has power over your life, career, and relationships; therefore, the sooner you this is recognized, the sooner you’re able to be 100% responsible for your choices, actions, and behaviors.
- Deal With What Is – If you’re someone who is taking responsibility for your circumstances that means you’re someone with an active mindset. This means you face the circumstances in front of you and prepare the most appropriate reaction. You’re dealing with what is instead of creating an emotional response that lets the circumstances control you, which leads to placing blame and worrying about the “shoulda, woulda, coulda.”
Self-Empowerment
Just as responsibility comes from within, so too does self-empowerment.
It is the highest and most valuable form of power.
Self-empowerment is facing all action steps and risks with courage so you’re able to step outside of your comfort zone, work toward making your dreams happen, and responding to the outcomes.
Not feeling very powerful right now?
Start with these three steps:
- Manage Expectations – Be very clear, honest, and realistic about the expectations you set, particularly those set for yourself. Ask questions and for clarifications. Get everything in writing to reflect upon throughout your journey.
- Make It Your Time – You are the only one who has the power to add things to your schedule. Think about all the times you say “I just can’t say no!” Is it can’t or won’t? Set time blocks for yourself, and be realistic in estimating the time it takes to complete tasks (MOST people underestimate the time it takes to do things!). Resist over scheduling by reminding yourself that you have the power to say no and leave time on your schedule for more pressing matters.
- Toot Your Horn – Never be afraid to tell yourself and others about the great work you’re doing because as much as you would like someone to notice naturally, it unfortunately doesn’t always happen that way. You have talents and gifts that are a power for yourself and the work you’re doing, so be confident in sharing that with others.
Personal Accountability
If you lack either responsibility or self-empowerment, personal accountability will be hard to come by.
Personal accountability is facing the outcome head-on.
It’s a reflection of how your choices, actions, and behaviors led to this result.
While you it’s important to take responsibility no matter what, it’s even more important you hold yourself accountable no matter what.
When what you do leads to great results, don’t be afraid to toot your horn.
However, when your choices, actions, or behaviors cause problems, it’s important you resist placing blame and instead take the fall.
It’s a challenging task to consistently do, but here’s where to start:
- Tell the Truth – Nobody is perfect. Mistakes WILL happen. Lies and cover-ups will always be exposed and make things worse. Make a personal commitment to tell the truth no matter what so others (and you) regard you to be a person of integrity.
- Police Yourself – Coaches, mentors, and bosses are great for accountability, but they’re not always there. So who is holding you accountable when they’re not? Be an honest critic of yourself to keep yourself in line. Be your own police officer who reminds you to obey the law and keep on the straight and narrow.
- Loot to Yourself First – Whenever a situation arises, personal accountability means you first look at yourself. Take a thorough evaluation of your actions to determine the most important next steps. There are four questions I recommend asking yourself:
- What is the problem?
- How am I contributing to the problem?
- What can I do to help solve the problem?
- How will I be accountable for the result?
Accountability has turned into a hot buzzword.
It’s what people crave.
Individuals are seeking coaches, teachers, mentors, and peer groups to bring accountability into their life.
But they’re not the answer.
They are not the way to 87% guaranteed success in life.
Because the reality is that no matter how many sources of accountability you have in your life, you are still the only one responsible for your choices, actions, and behaviors.
You NEED accountability.
However, the accountability you need to truly have an 87% likelihood for success in life is personal accountability.
It is sorely lacking in this world, but I guarantee that the sooner you start to own your choices, actions, and behaviors, the sooner you can start to own yo
