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Eight (8) Skills For Success

by Questions@thirdcultureafricans.comJuly 19, 20204 min read

The Oxford Dictionary defines success as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose“; however, it is measured differently by different people. As such, there is no special or unique formula for achieving success, but a few critical skills will set you on the right path.

Consequently, we each strive to be successful in different areas and prioritise certain ones over others. Success is thus a complex phenomenon and can be achieved in a myriad of places in our lives, including career, relationships, emotional wellbeing, physical health, travel, pursuing our passions, reaching personal goals, and more.

Nonetheless, whatever area you want to succeed in, these eight skills are bound to help you in reaching incredible heights and successfully conquering those goals.

1. Envision your goals

The first step to being successful is to have clarity about your goals and dreams. It is, therefore, well-worth writing down your vision for the future and creating a clear and achievable list of goals. On objectives and how they change the world and our lives, political activist and abolitionist Harriet Tubman once shared:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

2. Communication is key

Whatever area you want to succeed in, from your career path to personal relationships, communication is amongst the critical skills. Interestingly, communication skill is not just about speaking but also includes our ability to listen, write, share ideas, articulate our feelings, and resolve conflict.

As such, communication skill is key to succeeding in life and building meaningful personal and professional relationships. Ultimately, we need other people as humans, and building networks based on clear and effective communication will go a long way towards ensuring success, no matter your pursuit.

3. Take initiative

Benjamin Franklin once noted that “well done is better than well said.” As such, success is about leaping into action and taking the initiative to do the things you’re planning even if it feels a bit scary at first. It is thus our actions that showcase our abilities and enable success. 

4. The ability to adapt

Adaptability is one of the skills hugely important when it comes to success. Unsurprisingly, life is often unpredictable, and our ability to change and adapt at a moment’s notice can mean the difference between success and failure.

5. Networking is key

People need other people, and networking can go a long way towards ensuring tremendous success. Thus, it is crucial to put yourself out there and meet people in your field as they will expand your horizons and bolster your knowledge.

6. Measure yourself against your past self

We have all heard the infamous quote by Theodore Roosevelt ‘comparison is the thief of joy’, and it is famous for good reason. Naturally, when we compare ourselves to others and their unique stories, we always fall short, and this can make us feel demotivated and uninspired. However, if we choose to measure ourselves against who we were yesterday, we pave the way for greater aspirations and more success.

7. Self-discipline

Part of succeeding is about showing up every day to reach your goals. Of course, you will need some rest days and adventures, but consistency as a skill is vital when it comes to success. In light of this, weekly targets and goals are a great idea to ensure that you’re always moving forward and ticking things off the list. Excitingly, something as small as a coffee with a colleague could open up new possibilities.

8. Feel your passion!

Finally, you will need some real passion because it is that magical skill that can ensure success. While not technically a skill, it is the indefinable thing that will ensure that you put in the energy and hard work that are required to achieve great things.

CONCLUSION

Success takes some hard work and effort; however, the rewards are always worth it. The key skill is to find something you are excited about and go from there!

Do you have any success tips to share?

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