10 Rules for Success

10 Rules for Success

Currie Gauvreau
Contributing Writer
Direct Energy

Whether you agree with his political views or not, you cannot argue that Will Smith is a man of many talents, some of which are acting, producing, and songwriting.

For these reasons and many more, he has earned the titles “most powerful actor in Hollywood” and “the most bankable star worldwide”.

With all of this under his belt, it is no surprise that Smith is worth more than $250 million.  To achieve success you need to follow success.  Although success comes in many forms, some of the concepts that Smith discusses crosses boundaries of industry, gender, political view, and time.  Let’s discuss Will’s 10 Rules for Success and how they relate to you and your personal and professional success.

1. “Don’t listen to the little-man”.

Don’t let other people tell you what you can and can’t do. Don’t let their negative attitudes stop you from doing what you believe to be best for you.  Other people will try to dissuade you if you decide to do something that is different from what they are doing because that is how society and in particular our workplace operates. This is relevant within our organization at the shop level.  Do not let that other guy tell you “it doesn’t work” or “don’t bother doing that”.  Take charge of your life and do not let others make decisions for you.  If you believe in something, take the leap of faith and see where that leads – if you fail, good – you gained valuable experience; if you succeed, well you succeeded.

2. “Where you are isn’t where you are going to be”

“If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree.” – Jim Rohn

There’s an Arab proverb that states that you should write the bad things that happen to you in the sand, so that they can be easily erased from your memory. Your past does not define you, and where you are is just temporary. If you are feeling stuck, rewire your brain, change your mindset and focus on the bright future ahead of you.  Accept information and implement it.  Only YOU can change your path.  Change can be difficult, so focus on the first step of the change, and then the second step.  Eventually you have implemented change!  That in itself is a success!

3. “Make a choice”

You cannot make a difference in your life until you make a decision.  Sometimes, simply making a decision is a win.  How often have you found yourself debating on which way to decide?  In hindsight, just making a decision was actually more important that the decision itself!  Therefore, moving forward, just decide what is going to be, who are you going to be and how you are going to do it- that is the first step. We are who we choose to be.  YOU are who YOU choose to be!  So whom are you choosing to be?

4. “Have a purpose”

When you discover and live true to your life purpose, it is a feeling you will recognize as soon as it happens. It does not matter who you are, where you are from, or what you do. As long as you wish to live a more meaningful life, you need to have a purpose.  In our organization, we emphasize helping others.  For most of us, that is our purpose.  Coincidentally we are also solving problems and being paid for it, but at the end of the day, our purpose is to help others.  What is your purpose?

5. “Be great”

“Greatness is not this feature that only the special among us will ever taste – it’s something that exists in all of us.” More often than not, it is hidden under years of being told to not break from the status quo, do what we have always done.  This is because change causes fear in everyone, even those who simply witness it and are not involved!  Change will make you great.  Overcome your fear of change and embrace it.  It is very simple, what are you doing to make yourself great?

6. “Commit”

You will never succeed if you do not stay committed to your decisions.  Earlier we discussed making decisions.  Now we are discussing sticking by those decisions no matter what resistance you encounter.  How do you hold yourself accountable?  Some of the simplest decisions in life can at times be difficult.  Ever try a diet?  You DECIDE to start a diet, and a week later, you are eating Cheetos’s!  It is the same at work.  Decide to do more, implement positive business habits, develop yourself, and then stick with it.  Do not let yourself relapse.  Do not allow it!

7. “Don’t be outworked”

Will states: “The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period. You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple, right?”

“You’re not going to out-work me. It’s such a simple, basic concept. The guy who is willing to hustle the most is going to be the guy that just gets that loose ball. The majority of people who aren’t getting the places they want or aren’t achieving the things that they want in this business is strictly based on hustle. It’s strictly based on being out-worked; it’s strictly based on missing crucial opportunities. I say all the time if you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready.”

This is awesome!  When I coached football and baseball, I accepted physical limitations in my players, but never mental ones.  I would NEVER accept a lack of effort.  There are times in life where you make progress by simple being the one who lasts the longest.  Well, shorten that timeline by being the one who works the hardest.

8. “Work on your skills”

The separation of talent and skill is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts. Talent you have naturally.  Skill is developed by hours and hours and hours of working on your craft.  What are you doing to develop your craft?  An athlete understands this concept.  I have seen amazing talents fade away because they refused to put in the work.  Conversely, I have seen moderate talents excel because they refused to be outworked.  In our business we consistently teach “it’s not IF you can fix it, it’s if they will LET you fix it”!  The only way for them to let you fix it is for you to persuade them with effective communication techniques.  Are you working on those?  Every day you spend working on your craft is an investment in your future, and the future of your family.

9. “Let fear motivate you”

F.E.A.R – ‘Forget Everything And Run ‘or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours. It is not easy to face your fears and push through them, but it is essential in order to succeed in life.  Fear that is holding you back.  Fear of rejection.  What is the worst thing that could happen?  I have often heard through the years that fear should not be a motivator.  I have to tell you, it motivates me!  My fear of failure is FAR greater than my desire for success.  Call it what you want, but if it motivates you, USE IT!

10. “Be amazing at what you do”

The ONLY way to be amazing is to fully immerse yourself in this life.  Find what drives you and use it to propel you forward.  What makes an amazing tech?  In my mind, it is NOT your mechanical skills, it is your ability to influence and educate the customer in a way that they feel trust.  Be genuine and communicate effectively.  You do not have to be amazing at first, but if you follow all these tips – you will become amazing at your craft. From that point on, you will be unstoppable.