Often people will ask me what the secret to success in making a move in career or life. They want that “secret knowledge” that will give them the edge they are seeking to get the thing they desire. These individuals are convinced that there is some knowledge; some technique, some phrase, or some task that they can use or perform that will put them over the top in their quest to obtain the thing they are going after. These folks are looking for what I call the “gnosis of success”.
The truth about the gnosis of success is this … there is no gnosis of success. What individuals need to be successful, to give them the edge, to help them obtain the goal they seek is not a secret. It can be readily learned if they are willing to apply themselves and look for it. It is everywhere. There is a plethora of books, articles, blogs, coaches, and mentors that can all tell you what you need to know in order to be successful at work or in life. The information is out there, it is readily available. The gnosis of success is not hidden, it is not a secret, the knowledge of what it takes to be successful is available to all who seek it and are willing to apply it.
So the first step is to actively seek out that knowledge. You’ll need to read; you’ll need to talk with others about their experiences; you’ll need to attend presentations, lectures and classes. Then you will need to pause and reflect on what you have been exposed to. You will need to look for the learning and how it applies to your particular situation. All that takes time, it takes effort. It does not happen overnight. Part of the secret of success is Preparation.
The second step to success in any endeavor is to Plan. Failure to thoughtfully plot your next steps is a sure way not to succeed. Your planning should begin with the end in mind. Envision what your success will finally look like. Then ask yourself what steps you must take to achieve that success. Be very specific in thinking about and then listing those steps in writing. Plan not only the steps that need taken but also identify and plan to obtain the resources you will need to successfully implement your plan.
The third and most important step in your success is Execution, the doing. The truth of the matter, and the reason that many people are not successful in obtaining their goals or making their next move, is that they just do not execute. They are not willing to put, as the old saying goes, “their noses to the grind stone and their shoulders to the wheel.” It is not the knowledge, the technique, the phrase, or even the execution of a single particular task that leads individuals to success; it is just plain old fashion hard work that leads to success. Hard work, combined with excellence in the execution of your plan is what will give you the edge you seek. You see, hard work is needed but it must be quality effort that is put forth, that is what makes people successful in accomplishing their goals or obtaining what they set out for.
Everyone is looking for an edge, the inside track, that little extra knowledge or technique that will put them over the top. The truth is the “gnosis of success” is hard work. Your success will only come about when the desire you have is combined with a plan for action and then carried out with an excellence in its execution.