Success or Failure: The Choice is Yours

 

"I knew we had made it when somebody spotted a sign in a bakery window that read, 'Our hotcakes are selling like Mustangs.'" - Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca knew when he had made it. Will you know when you have? Why do some people succeed, some run a treadmill and others fail? Surprisingly enough, many people who succeed have failed many times before. Even Iacocca revealed in his autobiography what the "gut-wrenching" pain of being fired was like. Let's examine some failure traps and how to get beyond them.

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First, avoid allowing yourself to be set up for failure. Avoid the trap to begin with. Focusing on the negatives in non-productive ways can suck the energy out of you and leave you moaning for more.

Confused? Think about it: When was the last time you saw a chronic complainer succeed? Don't become one. The time spent complaining could be better spent addressing issues to reduce complaint-generating problems down the road. It is appropriate to focus on negatives to find solutions, it is inappropriate to focus on negatives and whine about them but do nothing to improve the situation.

Second, don't let the naysayers stop you. Every person who has ever had the bravery to express their ideas has been confronted with, "you can't… because…" Those who succeed press on, perhaps even more determinedly, when those stifling words come their way. Why and how do they do it? The key is to see the words as a challenge rather than accepting them as the inevitable.

Next, don't let barriers stop you. Stephen King submitted the manuscript for Carrie more than 35 times before it was accepted. Every large project has some setbacks along the way. Persevere anyway.

Keep a log of your calls, as well as requests for action. This is more than a to-do list, it is all-encompassing. Include your ideas for action items that can improve your project. Then flag them as complete when you finish them, but--more importantly--each day start at the top of the list and revisit any open items until they to are complete. This repetitive attack method will break down barriers, even if it is because those in the path are sick of hearing you ask for assistance.

Now that you no longer allow yourself to be set up for failure by others, stop setting yourself up for failure. What does the voice inside your head tell you? Does it build you up or shoot you down? If you are shooting yourself down inside your own head, stop it. That is the worst kind of negative thinking because if you believe yourself you will be dependent on someone else to convince you otherwise. Reality check time: Although having a supportive mentor is nice, they are few and far between. Rather than waiting for them to come along, build yourself up and reap the confidence rewards.

Another way that people often set themselves up for failure is through procrastination. It is easy to put that task you don't understand on the back burner and stay in your comfort zone, but it will come back to haunt you. And when it does, you won't like the results. Tackle new ground enough to map out a plan of attack, then prioritize it with your eyes wide open.

Details, details, details. We've all heard the term micro-managed. There are times when it makes sense to get that magnifying glass out; just be careful how you use it. Better yet, hand the tool to the data owner. You need to know the status and to prevent errors, but hammering your team could leave them frustrated and confrontational. So set the expectations early and let them deliver. Most people respond well when they know what is expected, it is the mid stream surprises that tip the boat.

When details become repetitive, you are now operational, don't make the mistake of becoming the operations staff. Although a taste of the action is good for anyone who hopes to understand the challenges, getting stuck in the repetitive grind could reduce your chances of moving ahead. Even though you may be good at the daily requirements, resisting change could leave you there for a very long time.

Now let's set you up for success. You probably know the importance of setting goals, and may even make a point of making them tough enough to be worth while, but here is a success tip often over looked. Capitalize on your strengths. Some people spend so much time focusing on the negative, even if they are seeking areas for improvement, that they forget to do more of what they do well. That doesn't mean keep doing the same thing over and over, it means know your strengths and build on that foundation. A home builder that only builds one home design probably couldn't compete in most neighborhoods.

Communication is another success factor that techies seldom utilize. A lot of people got into computers because they enjoy thinking, not communicating. No product that wasn't marketed ever sold beyond supportive friends and family. Learn who has influence with your audience and sell them on selling for you. Executive sponsorship is a powerful tool you can use to catapult you to success.

In summary, everyone wants to succeed, but many spend more time complaining about not getting what they want than working toward what they want. Recognizing the habitual quicksand is the beginning of pulling yourself out and on to success. Surround yourself with supportive people rather than naysayers, including yourself, and the walls of limitations will come tumbling down.

Kathryn M. Denton is a district technology coordinator with a large financial organization. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri . Kathryn is a member of Toastmasters International and has recently earned her Advanced Toastmasters Award. Kathryn is also the author of The Search of a Lifetime. She is the national coordinator for the Adoption Registration Coalition and Adoption Registration Day, both dedicated to assisting those separated by adoption with discovering their heritage. She is also the author of Corporate Russian Roulette, a business behavior management book to help readers avoid career suicide. Kathryn has four children and enjoys bicycling and playing guitar as leisure activities.