To be more successful do these 13 things.

I have yet to meet anyone that truly doesn’t desire a better life. 

Even people that profess they don’t, I suspect might be using “excuses” to obviate the commitment required to make big dreams a reality.

At Anatomy of Success we encourage people to define success on their terms. That still requires sacrifice.

To get what we really want in life we must give up things that are holding us back.

Periodically that includes completely “reinventing” ourselves and abandoning destructive tendencies.

If you need some additional motivation, imagine it’s your last day on earth and the person you BECAME meets the person you could have BECOME.

If you’re struggling with becoming more successful these 13 things can help.

“Doing what needs to be done may not make you happy, but it will make you great.”

― George Bernard Shaw

1. Be healthy

Health should be priority number one. The evidence is conclusive. Better health improves performance personally and professionally. Eat right and make physical activity a daily priority.

2. Be committed

Think long term and create daily habits that support the person you want to become. Working out to shed a few pounds and working out because that’s who ARE you is very different.  

3. Be big

There’s a difference between being reckless and being bold. Take chances that offer exceptional opportunity after careful consideration. Invest in yourself. Believe in yourself. Don’t chase someone else’s dream. Create your own.

“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” —Benjamin Franklin

4. Be accountable

Over 60% of the population loves to utilize excuses as an explanation for not trying.

Blaming the government or anyone else for our inability to succeed only ensures failure. Manifest your own your destiny.

Once we take full responsibility for our actions, we gravitate away making excuses as a convenient alternative to making positive change.

5. Be open minded

People with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence or talents are preordained, and that talent alone creates success — without effort. Incorrect.

Successful people understand that daily commitment results in personal improvement. They also appreciate that learning new skills is essential for success.

Imposing barriers on our ability to grow is a life sentence of limitation.

6. Be realistic

Overnight success is a fantasy created by people attempting to sell miracles.

Success takes time, patience, hard work, discipline and dedication.

Plan for your promising future, but focus on the daily steps necessary to build your dream.

7. Be imperfect

Perfectionism can be a curse that often leads to stagnation. Our work is never good enough, so we never make significant progress.

Fear of failure often motivates this predicament. Let go of perfectionism and get moving.

“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” ―Winston S. Churchill

8. Be focused

Learn to stay focused on one thing at a time. Distractions and constant interruptions break our focus with meaningless diversions that destroy our ability to do GOOD WORK.

9. Be less controlling

Learn to recognize things outside our control and focus on things we can control.

When we concentrate on what we can control, we release the temptation to blame outside circumstances for our ability to make progress.

10. Be firm

Many of us say yes to things that adversely effect our ability to find time to succeed. 

Our schedule becomes inundated with unnecessary obligations that deplete our time and reduce our ability to say yes to the things that matter most.

You will offend some people, and that’s ok. Many are simply using you for something they need.

11. Be a winner

I’ve said it before, your core group of friends are critically important. They impact much of our belief system.

For many years I was the source of strength and support for a circle of friends that relied on me for emotional energy.

I no longer waste my time being the therapist to a group of people that receive great advice and never act on it. I concentrate on my core group of friends that offer balance and reciprocity. It's much smaller but far more mutually beneficial and easier to manage.

“The only way to avoid pissing people off is to do nothing important.” — Oliver Emberton

12. Be ok in your own skin

When we accept the fact we can’t please everyone, its liberating.

When we strive for excellence and make measurable impact in the world, we make enemies.

I’ve seen it on social media. People trying so hard to be relevant but fail to resonate with an audience. 

They see someone's success and resent them for it. So, they attack.

I encourage people to stay focused on making a difference in the world and living an extraordinary life. Let the irrelevant naysayers marinate in their mediocrity. 

Block and move on. End the friendship and push ahead. Turn your back and make the climb.

13. Be disciplined with digital technology

Excessive television and digital content consumption are serving as an escape that’s preventing people from achieving their goals.

Even for those who depend technology for business, we must set firm boundaries.

Monitor this slippery slope carefully.

“What one does is what counts. Not what one had the intention of doing.”

― Pablo Picasso

Sum it up

Becoming successful at anything demands sacrifice and commitment. Oftentimes that requires giving up things that inhibit our success.

Any other suggestions for things we should STOP doing to ensure success? Please like and share this article and include your thoughts in the comments section below. I love learning from you as well.

About Steve:

Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.  Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming. Steve is an author and host of the post program Anatomy of Success. Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn!