Thursday, October 13, 2011

Do You Have What It Takes to Achieve the Next Level of Success?

If you have spent any time in your business or organization reaching for that next level of success, you know that, in most cases, it does not come naturally. As much as we desire to be the best our Creator purposed for us to be, the journey of achievement is usually elusive and sometimes inconsistent. As we have learned, it is imperative that we follow a system that takes us out of our comfort zone and forces us to grow and develop new skills, acquire new confidence, and reach for new levels of awareness.

Thankfully, we do not have to be natural achievers. In fact, "natural achiever" is a contradiction because our natural instincts are always fighting against our achievement. This is because achievement involves change and growth, and that can be intimidating. Our natural instincts are constantly trying to press us into the comfort zone of staying right where we are.

With all that in mind, do you have what it takes to achieve?

Whether you have just started your journey toward greater achievement, or you have been working at this for years, it is helpful to evaluate where you are in the process. The following questions and your honest answers should give you a good idea of where you are in your commitment to achieve.

Commitment to a Goal - Do I have a burning desire to achieve something specific?

You've heard the expression, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." This is especially true when it comes to achievement. Without a specific goal in mind, we will default to our safe comfort zone where nothing changes. It is only when we identify that burning desire to achieve a specific goal that we can take the necessary steps to bring it to fruition.

Courage to persevere - Am I willing to follow a system in developing an enhanced level of emotional courage?

The emotion of fear is a protective reflex and is a basic, instinctive, human response when we see or feel a perceived danger. But that fear response ultimately leads to negative, unproductive attitudes. Growth feels uncomfortable and scary because it pushes us out of our comfort zones.

To grow in emotional courage, we must develop our potential, and that potential always lies just beyond our comfort zones. We have to be willing to diligently follow a development system that will help us push past our fear into sustained growth.

Open-mindedness - Am I willing to be coached without being defensive?

This is a tough one. I would say that most of us do not like being told what to do. We like the feeling of being the boss and being in control of our own destiny. But a fundamental part of achievement is keeping an open mind and allowing yourself to be coached by someone who has been there before.

When my colleague Mark Smith joined the Navy, he committed to having an open mind and a heart that was coachable as he soaked up everything he could learn, no matter how trivial. As a result, he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal six times and Sailor of the Year for the 3rd Marine Division and rose quickly through the ranks. Do you have that level of open-mindedness to learn whatever it takes to succeed?

Accountable for your actions - Will I choose to be accountable for my effective actions?

The choice of accountability is arguably the most significant choice anyone can make regarding their future achievement. Take the time to find a mentor or group of people with like-minded interests to whom you choose to be accountable for your goals. As an example, a dieter with the support of similar-minded people is more likely to be successful in the long run as they feel an obligation to follow through with their healthy eating and exercise plan.

It is the same with achievement. When you know that you must report to a colleague or mentor how you are reaching your goals on a daily/weekly/monthly basis, you will be more likely to follow through.

Have you taken a mental inventory of the four qualifying factors above? Take your time and really be honest with yourself, because it is important to know that there can be no achievement without these characteristics or without a willingness to develop these characteristics.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Are you committed to a goal? Are you ready to develop emotional courage? Can you be open-minded and coachable? Will you be accountable for your choices and actions? If you answered yes to these questions without hesitation, you do have what it takes to achieve. Embrace the achiever in you, and get ready for that next level of success!

Inspiring genuine growth and achievement in leaders, David Byrd has 30 years of experience working with top business executives and their organizations. He is a master of effective leadership and works closely with leaders worldwide to maximize their leadership potential. For more information about The Next-Level Achievement System® or David's book, Achievement - A Proven System For Next Level Growth, visit http://www.authorsup.com/David-Byrd.


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