The Best Lesson You’ll Ever Learn in Your Career

“Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.” — Colin Powell

Too much of anything is bad… right?

Seems that way.

But, then I think about the best lesson I’ve learned in all of business and relationships. It’s this:

There’s no such thing as being too persistent.

Be persistent!

The people that get ahead, find their calling and love what they do all share the common bond of persistence that leads to bold opportunities and rewarding relationships.

Worried about being too pushy? Think you’re “crossing the line?”

You’ll know. But also know this — you can’t live in fear. You can’t get caught up playing the game inside your head of worrying what others might think of you. Sure, it’s wise to be concerned about your reputation. And reputation does matter.

But focus instead on your character. This is something you really have control over. Do things in the name of virtue, for the benefit of others AND yourself, and do so with faith, optimism and joy in your heart. One thing I constantly tell high-achieving coaching clients is this:

Act with noble intentions when you’re persistent and always look to create mutually beneficial relationships that add value.

This requires thought! This requires imagination and devotion. This requires you to think outside the box in a binary fashion for your own best interest, as well as the best interest of the person you are looking to help. I recommend that you try these things.

3 techniques to build powerful, mutually beneficial relationships:

1. Take up the other person’s position. Great chance is — what you want most for yourself, the other person always wants for herself. Think about it — you may want new clients or a new lead for a job opportunity, or perhaps you want to meet a mentor or someone that you really admire. When you come into that meeting with clear expectations and defined success for what you want, flip it on its head and ask yourself — what does that person want?

You can then work around the result that will give that person satisfaction. Maybe you share an article with that person that has really resonated with you. Or you connect them to someone in your network that can help them grow their business. Always think of opportunity and you will always benefit.

2. Listen with deep presence and attention. There’s a remarkable power in listening with intent and concern for what someone else has to say. They come to appreciate you more. You end up processing valuable information more clearly. As Dr Stephen Covey once said, “It’s a win-win.”

Dr Guy Itzchakov and Avraham N. (Avi) Kluger write in Harvard Business Review:

“Listening resembles a muscle. It requires training, persistence, effort, and most importantly, the intention to become a good listener. It requires clearing your mind from internal and external noise — and if this isn’t possible, postponing a conversation for when you can truly listen without being distracted.”

3. Show don’t tell. What do I mean by that? This is one of the oldest adages in editing, and it’s applicable to all of our lives when it comes to building relationships and operating with persistence. Show someone the value that you bring to the discussion by demonstrating to them during the conversation — or immediately after how you want to help them. Here’s an example:

Someone may tell you that their business is having difficulty attracting new customers because they don’t have a great branding strategy. If this ties into your interest, you can do some market research and put together some great ideas and a plan to help them get customers to convert and buy their product. Give it away for free, and in doing so you will gain a great friend and potential business partner for life.

Be Persistent

Think creatively and offer value in return for when you ask someone else to give you value. Being persistent means consistently going after what you want. In order to do that, we have to build relationships. We need help on our journey. And fortunately, there are loads of great people all over the world who are willing to help you.

If you can’t offer anything in return, be willing to say a sincere, heartfelt, Thank You, and always be mindful that one day you can return the favor. Persistence-the will to keep going, to continue creating opportunities for yourself, building relationships and outworking everyone to achieve the results you want is your greatest asset.

You have 100% operating control over how persistent you are. Cast your worries and fears to the side and keep going when you believe in yourself and your dreams. You will attain the exact success that you want when you get specific and pursue it with vigor, efficiency and persistence.

Don’t worry about being too persistent. Maybe, ask yourself, am I being persistent enough?

It will make all the difference.

SOURCE: https://medium.com/swlh/the-best-lesson-youll-ever-learn-in-your-career-ad162bec06c7