How to T.R.A.I.N for Success

What if I told you that there was no magic key to success? Some may be frustrated. For they are the ones that want a clear-cut path and plan on how to exactly achieve success. That is unrealistic. Why? Because success for one person, may not be success for another; success to you when you are twenty, may not be the same when you are thirty, forty, fifty, and so on. When success is constantly changing, how is a single key, or even multiple keys, supposed to help you achieve it? It’s not. That is why we must TRAIN for success.?

Take Action, Relationships, Add Value, Invest, and Never Give Up.

Let’s start with the first one - Take Action. Taking the initiative to do something right away ensures that you - 1. Will do it and 2. Puts you one step ahead of your competitors. I once watched a TED talk by Mel Robbins where she talked about the five-second rule. (No, not the one about picking up food off the ground and still eating it.) She said that when you have an idea, give yourself a five-second countdown to get up and do it. Doing it within those five seconds prevents you from talking yourself out of it and just doing it. For example, let’s say you are sitting on the couch watching a show and think, “I should go finish those emails and send them out.” The second that thought pops into your head, you have five seconds to act. Wait any longer and chances are, the couch becomes a little comfier and the show finally becomes interesting. That five-second window is your opportunity!

5…..4….3…2..1. Take Action.

The next one, relationships, is essential in all parts of life. Humans crave connection. That craving can sometimes cause us to surround ourselves with those who do not make us better. We must be able to observe that and make changes. You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with. One bad apple can, and will, make a difference. Take a hard look at your circle, and find relationships that will not only help you but help them find success.

Adding value starts with having those quality relationships. When you “add value” to something, you make it worth more. When something is of a higher value, we tend to want it. If you are a person who adds value, people will want to be around you. They are also more likely to trust and respect you.?

The next one is invest. Invest in yourself. Invest in your relationships. Invest in things that are important to you and will ultimately lead you to success. The definition of invest is to devote one’s time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result. Invest does not equal instant gratification; it takes time. It is never too late to invest in yourself. An investment in yourself is one that can never be taken away. Unlike the stock market, your knowledge is dependent on you and you only.?

The final part of training for success is to never give up - be tenacious, be persistent, be relentless. Too many people are afraid of failing, yet failure is inevitable. It is not the failure that defines you, it is how you deal with that failure. Do you quit? or Do you get back up, learn from it, and try again? When we don’t give up and then find success, it is proof that we were capable of something that maybe we didn’t think was possible. It creates confidence and motivation to push forward even more. You must never give up if success is your ultimate goal.