Great Expectations

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." – George Bernard Shaw

Navigating a career, whether as a business owner or an employee within an organisation, can be challenging, especially when fear and self-doubt creep in. This is normal in human beings, especially in today's busy and fast paced world.

Many find themselves stuck, opting for the easy path or blaming external factors for their lack of progress. This guide summarises the essential steps to help you shift your mindset, build resilience, and find courage on your journey to a fulfilling life.

1. Change Your Mindset

• Embrace Growth with Integrity: Believe that you can develop your skills and intelligence. View challenges as opportunities to learn with honesty and self-awareness.
• Stay Positive with Authenticity: Focus on what you can achieve rather than what can go wrong. Be genuine in your positivity.

Action Steps

• Read a book on growth mindset (e.g., Mindset by Carol Dweck).
• Write down three things you’re grateful for each day to cultivate positivity and remind yourself that success is within your reach.

2. Surround Yourself with Supportive People

• Find Mentors with Empathy: Look for experienced individuals who can guide you with understanding and compassion.
• Build a Network with Respect: Connect with like-minded individuals who can offer support and advice, valuing each relationship. Remember to give to others whenever you can, starting with gratitude to others.

Action Steps

• Join a professional group or online community relevant to your field.
• Schedule regular coffee meetings with mentors or peers. Be a great listener.

3. Do It for Yourself

• Find Your Why with Self-Respect: Understand why you want to succeed. Personal motivations are more powerful than external or material ones, especially when rooted in self-respect. Personal glory and material success are not the outcomes which bring true lasting joy and fulfillment.
• Set Personal Goals with Integrity: Align your career and business goals with your personal values and aspirations.

Action Steps

• Spend time reflecting on your personal reasons for pursuing your career or business.
• Set three small, achievable goals that align with your values. What action steps are required to achieve these? Do you need help?

4. Overcome External Doubters

• Ignore Naysayers with Confidence: Focus on your vision and goals and ignore those who doubt you, maintaining self-assuredness.
• Use Criticism as Motivation with Determination: Let skepticism fuel your determination.

Action Steps

• Write down your vision and keep it somewhere visible; a Post It note on the mirror or fridge?
• Use negative comments as reminders to focus and persist.
• Look for constructive feedback and seek the advice of trusted colleagues or mentors.

5. Break Internal Barriers

• Challenge Limiting Beliefs with Courage: Identify and confront your self-imposed limitations.
• Visualise Success with Clarity: Regularly imagine yourself achieving your goals.
• Work with a mentor or a trusted colleague: External feedback increases your self confidence.

Action Steps

• List common negative thoughts and counter them with positive affirmations and actions.
• Spend a few minutes each day visualising and journalling your success.

6. Value a Work Ethic

• Commit to Effort with Dedication: Understand that perseverance and consistent effort are more important than just innate talent. There's many a talented person who doesn't rise to their challenges.
• Be Persistent with Tenacity: Stay committed even when progress is slow.

Action Steps

• Track your daily efforts and celebrate small wins.
• Set up a routine that encourages consistent work habits.
• Break up your work day with rest and play.

7. Understand the Costs of Success

• Acknowledge Sacrifices with Honesty: Recognise what you might need to give up, such as time or comfort or money.
• Balance Priorities with Fairness: Find a balance that allows you to pursue success without compromising important aspects of your life. Know your definition of success.

Action Steps:

• Make a list of potential sacrifices and decide which ones you’re willing to make.
• Create a daily schedule that includes time for work, rest, and personal activities.
• Be realistic in your time management.

8. Shift to an Abundance Mindset

• Focus on Opportunities with Optimism: Concentrate on the possibilities rather than limitations.
• Collaborate and Share with Generosity: Helping others can also lead to your personal growth.

Action Steps

• Identify and pursue one new opportunity each month. always be on the lookout for presenting opportunities for yourself AND others in your life.
• Offer help or advice to colleagues or fellow professionals. Be deeply interested in their goals and well being. Be there for them.

9. Redefine Success

• Set Personal Benchmarks with Individuality: Define what success means to you. Remember that true success is not about ego or financial or material wealth. Success is more about how you contribute to the betterment of people around you - family, friends, colleagues, customers, suppliers and community.
• Celebrate Small Wins with Gratitude: Recognise and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Small steps get you to your big goals.

Action Steps

• Write down what success looks like for you.
• Keep a success journal to track and celebrate your achievements. Go for lunch with family and friends at least once a month.

10. Embrace Missteps

• Accept Imperfection with Humility: Understand that perfection is an unattainable myth. Focus on progress.
• Learn from Mistakes with Open-mindedness: View mistakes as learning opportunities.
• Know this - the big holes you fall into make you much more receptive to learning and often more compassionate and empathic to self and others. Such is wisdom.

Action Steps

• Aim for progress, not perfection, in your daily tasks.
• Reflect on mistakes to identify lessons learned.

11. Take Charge

• Be Decisive with Confidence: Make confident decisions and take action.
• Own Your Journey with Accountability: Accept responsibility for your successes and failures.

Action Steps

• Set deadlines for decisions to avoid procrastination.
• Reflect on your actions and take responsibility for outcomes.

12. Practise Gratitude

• Cultivate Gratitude with Mindfulness: Regularly reflect on what you are grateful for.
• Express Appreciation with Sincerity: Show extra gratitude to those who support you. Look for ways to help others in your journey.

Action Steps

• Keep a gratitude journal and write in it daily. Reflect.
• Thank someone who has helped you on your journey.

13. Develop Grit

• Stay Passionate with Commitment: Keep your passion alive through regular engagement with your goals.
• Persevere with Resilience: Continue pushing forward despite difficulties.

Action Steps

• Set long-term goals and break them into smaller, manageable steps.
• Remind yourself of your passion and why you started.
• Talk with trusted colleagues and family about your dreams, aspirations and stumbles. That's what friends are for!

14. Building Courage

• Face Your Fears with Bravery: Confront fears directly rather than avoiding them.
• Take Risks with Boldness: Understand that risks are necessary for growth.

Action Steps

• Identify one fear and take a small step to face it. Get advice or help. Humans are programmed to work together to overcome adversity.
• Take calculated risks in your career or business and learn from the experience.
• Remember that new outcomes require different actions to achieve success.

15. Lifelong Learning & Growth

• Stay Curious with Inquisitiveness: Cultivate a mindset of curiosity and a desire to learn new things. Ask useful questions. Don't always accept the status quo.
• Invest in Education with Commitment: Regularly attend workshops, read books, and take courses to enhance your skills and knowledge.
• Hangout with talented successful people: Learn from others.

Action Steps

• Sign up for courses relevant to your career or business.
• Dedicate time each week to read industry-related articles or books.
• Learn new skills which are different to what you normally do.

16. Mindfulness: Staying Present

• Practice Meditation with Calmness: Incorporate meditation or mindfulness exercises into your daily routine to stay grounded and focused.
• Be Present with Awareness: Focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.

Action Steps

• Start a daily meditation practice, even if just for 5 minutes. There are many free online resources which are very helpful.
• Practise being fully present in conversations and tasks. Ask reflective questions.

17. Bouncing Back from Setbacks

• Build Emotional Resilience with Strength: Develop coping strategies to manage stress and recover from setbacks.
• Learn from Adversity with Reflection: Use challenges as opportunities to grow and strengthen your character.

Action Steps

• Practice stress-relief techniques like deep breathing or yoga.
• Reflect on past setbacks and how you overcame them.
• Exercise daily - physical fitness helps with emotional fitness.

18. Innovation: Embracing Change

• Encourage Creativity with Openness: Foster an environment where new ideas are welcomed and explored.
• Adaptability with Flexibility: Be open to change and willing to pivot when necessary to stay ahead.

Action Steps

• Schedule regular brainstorming sessions to generate new ideas.
• Stay informed about industry trends and be willing to adapt.
• Read about subjects which are adjacent or even unrelated to your normal knowledge sphere.

19. Clear and Achievable Objectives

• SMART Goals with Clarity: Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals.
• Regular Review with Diligence: Frequently review and adjust your goals to stay on track and motivated.

Action Steps

• Write down your goals using the SMART criteria.
• Review your progress weekly and adjust as needed.
• Get an accountability partner to keep you on track. Reciprocate.

20. Holding Yourself Responsible

• Find an Accountability Partner with Trust: Partner with someone who can keep you accountable and provide support.
• Track Your Progress with Honesty: Regularly track your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Action Steps

• Partner with a colleague or friend to share goals and progress.
• Use a planner or app to track your tasks and milestones.
• Track your successes, no matter how small. It all adds up to motivation and self efficacy and self confidence. This is the same as Olympic champions.

21. Self-Care: Maintaining Balance

• Healthy Lifestyle with Discipline: Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
• Mental Health with Compassion: Seek support when needed and practice activities that promote mental well-being.

Action Steps

• Schedule regular exercise and relaxation time in your calendar.
• Have good sleep habits. It gives you stamina - mental and physical.
• Seek professional support if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
• Take holidays - long and short, through the year.
• Practise gratitude journalling.

22. Vision: Seeing the Bigger Picture

• Define Your Vision with Purpose: Create a detailed vision of what you want to achieve in the long term.
• Stay Aligned with Consistency: Ensure that your daily actions are aligned with your broader vision.

Action Steps

• Write a vision statement for your career or business and revisit it regularly. Adjust and pivot as required.
• Align your daily tasks with your long-term vision.
• Talk it over with your mentor and family.

23. Generosity: The Power of Giving

• Give Back with Altruism: Contribute to your community and support causes you believe in.
• Share Knowledge with Selflessness: Mentor others and share your expertise to help them grow.

Action Steps

• Volunteer for a cause you care about.
• Offer to mentor someone starting out in your industry.
• Help the people in your network. Grow your network. Remember life is about personal contribution and participation.

24. Flexibility: Adapting to Circumstances

• Be Open to Change with Adaptability: Embrace change and be willing to adjust your plans when necessary.
• Stay Agile with Responsiveness: Develop strategies that allow you to quickly adapt to new situations.

Action Steps

• Create contingency plans for potential challenges.
• Practise staying calm and adaptable in unexpected situations. There will be times when you will be challenged.
• Your values based integrity and way of work will stand you in good stead. Remember to take time out to recharge after stressful situations.

25. Inner Peace: Cultivating Calmness

• Meditation with Serenity: Practice meditation to calm your mind and reduce stress.
• Balance Work and Life with Harmony: Ensure you have a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Action Steps

• Start a daily meditation practice to promote inner peace. Practise whilst waiting at traffic lights or on public transport, etc. Simple breath work can be helpful.
• Set boundaries between work and personal time to maintain balance.

Conclusion

By incorporating values into each principle, you can create a more holistic and ethical approach to overcoming barriers and leading a fulfilling life, whether as a business owner or an employee.

These values not only guide your actions but also enhance your relationships and overall well-being leading to a successful and fulfilling life.

PS. Financial success often follows as a byproduct of doing the right things in your life.

All the best!

Frank Choy

9 June 2024

Recommended reading:

Mindset and Personal Growth

1. "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck - Explores the concept of growth mindset and how believing in our ability to improve can lead to success.
2. "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear - Provides practical strategies for forming good habits, breaking bad ones, and mastering the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

Overcoming Fear and Building Courage

1. "Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brené Brown - Discusses the importance of vulnerability and how it can be a source of strength and courage.
2. "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" by Susan Jeffers - Offers techniques to turn fear, indecision, and anger into power, action, and love.

Resilience and Perseverance

1. "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth - Examines the role of grit - passion and perseverance - in achieving long-term goals.
2. "Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy" by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant - Provides insights on how to build resilience and move forward after life’s setbacks.

Leadership and Influence

1. "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't" by Simon Sinek - Explores how great leaders create environments where people naturally work together to achieve remarkable results.
2. "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You" by John C. Maxwell - Provides timeless principles on effective leadership.

Innovation and Creativity

1. "Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration" by Ed Catmull - Shares lessons on leading a creative culture from the co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios.
2. "The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail" by Clayton M. Christensen - Discusses why leading companies fail to stay on top of their industries when confronted with disruptive innovation.

Personal Effectiveness and Productivity

1. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change" by Stephen R. Covey - Offers a principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems.
2. "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport - Explores the benefits of deep work and provides actionable advice on how to focus intensely on cognitively demanding tasks.

Mindfulness and Inner Peace

1. "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle - Encourages living in the present moment and finding peace by letting go of the past and future anxieties.
2. "Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life" by Jon Kabat-Zinn - Introduces the practice of mindfulness meditation and its benefits for mental clarity and well-being.

Gratitude and Positivity

1. "The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work" by Shawn Achor - Explores how positive psychology can lead to greater success and fulfillment in work and life.
2. "Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier" by Robert A. Emmons - Delves into the science of gratitude and its effects on our health and well-being.