Developing a Mindset for Success

Have you ever wondered why certain people achieve great success and stand out so significantly from the crowd? The answer lies in the principles that they embrace and practice on a daily basis. I’ve written several posts about the following life-changing principles.

Successful people: success

For many people, success is all about reaching the destination and achieving the end goal. For others, it’s more about the journey itself and taking time to smell the roses along the way. At Rhapsody, we embrace both sides of the coin. Reaching the destination is important, but how you achieve that goal along the way is equally significant. In other words, getting there and how you get there must be considered in your success journey.

What is success?

Success means different things to different people. For some it means wealth, riches, fame, a big house, or a fancy car. For others success is more about making a difference in the world around them, creating a legacy of influence and positive change. For many people it’s a combination of both.

 

Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.  ~George Sheehan

 

One of the greatest challenges in communication is choosing the right language. Words can mean very different things to different people. As a result, the essence of the message can get lost in translation. Consider the following examples.

  • When Coca-Cola first shipped to China, they used a brand name that, when pronounced, sounded like “Coca-Cola.” The problem was that the characters used actually meant “Bite The Wax Tadpole.” They later changed the name to a set of characters that means “Happiness In The Mouth”.
  • The Pepsi Cola Company experienced a similar challenge. When Pepsi started marketing its products in China, they translated their slogan, “Pepsi Brings You Back to Life” almost literally. The slogan in Chinese really meant, “Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back from the Grave.”
  • Chevrolet also struggled to get it right. The Chevy Nova never sold well in Spanish speaking countries. “No va” means “it does not go” in Spanish.

Lost in translation is something most of us have experienced in one way or another. Success, as it’s translated by you, can be defined many ways. We can be successful at work, at school, and in our relationships. Some measure success by their level of happiness and contentment. Others depend on their sense of purpose in the world as their barometer for achievement. Some evaluate success by how much money they make and how much wealth they accumulate.

There are many different ways to define success, and you have to determine what that looks like for you. The principles that I’ve linked to above will help you take significant steps in that direction.

How do YOU define success? 

A great definition for success is “a favourable outcome to a pursuit or endeavour.” If this is true, then…

  • What are you pursuing?
  • What are you endeavouring to accomplish?
  • Do you have a clear picture of what success in that area looks like?
  • How will you know when you’ve achieved it?

Take a moment to reflect on these questions, and then write down your answers. Starting with a clear definition of what success means to you will help you to better implement the principles I’ve shared with you.

Eric Deschamps | Ottawa Business Coach

Eric Deschamps – Business Coach Ottawa

Co-Leader of Rhapsody Strategies

“Helping others succeed has always been my passion. There is no greater feeling in the world than coming alongside someone and empowering them to achieve their goals and dreams.” I work with individuals with a single and simple purpose: to help them define and attain their goals, one step at a time. Through the coaching relationship, I help business owners and professionals achieve more by delivering world-class growth strategies, tools and advice individually tailored to each owner and his/her business.