50 Things That Will Accelerate Your Success

You may not be a resolution kind of person (I’m not either), but that doesn’t mean that you don’t want to accelerate your success. Jon Mertz shared a concept that I love for the new year – it’s a second chance to take the good, bad and ugly from last year and move forward with purpose on purpose. To help you kick off the new year as you make a fresh start, I have an idea or two (or fifty) for you to consider.Wait! Before you close your browser and feel completely overwhelmed, I’m not suggesting that you do all 50 on a daily basis. My gut tells me that you know where you need to start.

What are you willing to do to accelerate your success?

Don’t wait for success – go out and create it!
  • Block time on your schedule to crank on work and remain meeting-free
  • Learn to say “no”
  • Exercise – de-stress and build strength!
  • Find a mentor
  • Set up informational interviews to learn about other’s path to success
  • Share your ideas even when you’re afraid they will sound stupid
  • Ask: “How Can I Help?”
  • Hire a coach
  • Eat breakfast
  • Take a vacation
  • Spend time with your friends – decompress
  • Keep a notebook (or app) handy to write down inspiration when it strikes
  • Smile
  • Dress to feel good – you don’t have to impress, but put on something that makes you feel your best
  • Persevere even when you’re tempted to give up
  • Banish the phrase “it’s impossible” from your lexicon
  • Don’t assume you’ll remember your brainstorm in the morning – open your eyes and write it down
  • Know your values and use them as a guidepost to lead with integrity
  • Make time for your family – reenergize and recharge
  • Read a non-fiction book on leadership, management, innovation or another topic of interest
  • Read a fiction book and take a mental break from challenges at work
  • Spend time hip-to-hip with the front lines
  • Ask people for their opinions and be willing to shift yours
  • Attend a conference in your field
  • Make real connections on Social Media (aka avoid exclusively one-way sharing)
  • Stop making assumptions about what others think and their motivations – ask
  • Train for a marathon (or something else that requires discipline)
  • Wake up early and use the quiet morning time to prioritize for the day
  • Leave your phone in your bag (or in another room) during meetings
  • Let go of the pressure to return every email, IM and tweet immediately
  • Share the story about the time you were less than perfect – show people you’re human
  • Blog about your knowledge and experiences
  • Join in on Tweet chats like #PeopleSkills, #DaretoBe, #TChat or #LeadwithGiants to get inspired and build relationships
  • Set limits on mindless game time like Candy Crush
  • Take an online course designed to help you take your next step
  • Admit when you’re wrong instead of digging in (it won’t make you right)
  • Join Toastmasters and fine tune your public speaking skills
  • Don’t be afraid to rock the boat – change takes discomfort
  • Read one blog a day and apply what you learned
  • Be a scientist – hypothesize, act, reflect, shift
  • Get a new job when you’re reached the limits in your current position or organization
  • Update your resume to include your latest experience and accomplishments before you need it
  • Create or join a mastermind group
  • Make time to get to know people beyond their titles and job functions
  • Notice when you’re selling to the wrong people at the wrong time (i.e. friends over catch up dinner and drinks)
  • Shake things up – even a small change could help get you unstuck
  • Reframe a plateau as a time to get stronger before your next leap
  • Break the Frame of “because that’s the way we’ve always done it” and follow your gut
  • Allow for setbacks and embrace the learning
  • Believe you CAN
  • What would you add?Most important: What will you DO?

    Break the Frame Action:

    Bookmark this page or print it out. When you need a little inspiration or feel like someone else needs to give you permission to forward your personal development and accelerate your success, think again.