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By Suhaib Mohammed
Everyone in business wants to become the next success story. We want to start a venture, dominate our industry, and become famous for our achievements. We admire successful entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote, Mark Zuckerberg and dream to become as successful as they are.
However, becoming a success story is a tough, lonely journey. Here are some tips on how to become successful and live a fulfilled life:
Have an open mind
It begins with having an open mind that is hopeful. To be the next success story, you need to believe that the sky is your limit and anything is possible. It is only when you believe in yourself that you will have the courage and zeal to keep going till you reach your goals, no matter what the challenges are.
Dream big
When you have an open mind, you’ll develop the gut and the confidence to dream big. Becoming successful is a mindset. You can’t achieve success if you don’t make a mental shift from being scared to start, to becoming determined to take calculated risks. As William Arthur Ward said, “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”
Focus on pursuing your goals
You also need to focus on your dreams and goals. Let’s face it, your dreams and goals are just a string of scattered thoughts in your brain. You can’t see them, make sense out of them or realize them until you plan them out and focus on achieving them.
Sadly, this is what many entrepreneurs get wrong. They have a mission, goals, and vision; but lack focus. Most dreamers will outline a dozen goals that they want to achieve in a year but lose focus trying to pursue everything at a go. Minimalism is the answer. Rather than focusing on a dozen things, focus on 1-3 things and be sure to do them right.
Take action
The one most important thing you must do to become a success story is to take action. You must carry out the goals you have set for yourself. This means that you must wake up ready to grind everyday. Success is not a one day project; but a combination of smaller tasks done consistently over time to achieve the long term vision. The more work you put in, the closer you get to achieving success.
Be patient
We all know that life is not fair. Some people are luckier than others. Just because your friend has started a business with N5, 000 and turned it into N5 million in 5 years doesn’t mean that you can do the same.
Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, for example, didn’t start with millions; he ran through thorny paths before finally succeeding. On the other hand, Mark Zuckerberg started pretty well as a Harvard student by coding his first prototype – The Facebook – from the comfort of his dorm room – and secured his first $500, 000 check from an Angel investor. Today, he is one of the most successful entrepreneurs.
Nobody knows his or her destiny and this is the reason why it is important to stay determined and work tirelessly to achieve your dreams.
There’s nothing more joyful than becoming a success story. At the same time, there’s nothing more tasking and uncertain. If you truly want to succeed, you must invest your best at all times to make it happen.
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