A determination is a key to success. You’ve always been told that you can do anything you set your mind to. However, while the inspirational simplicity of such thinking rings true, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
As someone trying to get a law degree (while running my own small team of freelancers), I dream of a time when I might find my place in this kind of crowd. As I near completion of my studies, I find myself reflecting on the things I’ve learned during the process and the difficulties I’ve had to overcome to reach this point.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned was actually managing my team of freelancers. I’ve discovered that a successful mindset is an easy part in managing (after all, it’s not predicated on success itself) and it is the practicalities of success that prove to be an obstacle for most.
While we often have the abilities to intuitively understand and practice the skills we need to teach ourselves, procrastination often gets the best of us. It is often the tasks that are essential for progression that gets put off first. Sometimes, we need to force ourselves to delay the easy tasks and complete those difficult ones first.
The good news is that, if you put the work in, you can accomplish anything. The bad news is that putting the work in is more than just showing up every day. It is about constantly testing new approaches, failing, and trying again until you succeed. It is about taking the time to keep up with the newest changes in the industry to stay competitive. It is about constantly learning and evolving.
I embarked on this pursuit of becoming successful knowing fully that it would not be easy. I was still surprised by how hard it was. I have found that, besides immense amounts of time and effort, having faith in yourself and in your choice of career is crucial. I have also found that there are universal skills that can help anyone reach their goals. Let me share more details about what these skills are, and why acquiring them can help you out immensely. Here’s my take on how to train yourself for success:
Read Between The Lines
First off, let me say that good communication skills go well beyond being charismatic and talkative in business situations. Good communication involves figuring out what people think and what they want to say, then acknowledging them in a tactile way. Often, this involves disguising your own intentions, as well as seeing through to the veiled intentions of others. Though this may seem cynical, it is a fact of business that many interactions are not formed on friendliness and sincerity. Unconditional trust often causes as many problems as it may solve.
Learn To Manage
Being a one-man band, in a matter of speaking, means you have to familiarize yourself with many aspects of the business that most people don’t need to understand. Here, we face a Hollywood cliche: the ever-recurring character of a brilliant entrepreneur who dazzles the world with his genius and unconventional approach.
Of course, this very rarely works in the real world, if ever. Honing your business skills and tackling various specific challenges in running a business will prepare you for success in any branch you choose.
Keep A Cool Head
Negotiating and resolving conflicts are art forms with very specific requirements in terms of communication. These skills have not changed much throughout history (as arguably human nature itself hasn’t changed either). Learning how to remain calm and focused in all situations and not letting your emotions get the best of you is hard to do for many people. However, keeping a cool head is the most important weapon in negotiations and conflict resolutions.
Author: Eng Maftuh Clipson
