In business, many factors determine whether you'll be successful. Knowledge, skill and talent are all important. However, many business people already have those traits. So, what will help you stand out from the crowd?
One of the best traits for success is mental, reflected in your attitude, controlled by you and requiring no cash. Winston Churchill said, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."
How many times has the underdog won over more-talented opponents? The difference is often attitude.
Here are 10 attitude adjustments that can give you that competitive edge:
* Control your destiny. Don't wait for good things to happen -- make them happen. Planning is good, but procrastination leads to missed opportunities. Your timely choices and actions will ultimately determine your destiny.
* Be more positive. Your thoughts control your actions and results, so think big. Believe in yourself, your company and that you will succeed. This confidence will inspire your employees, customers, stakeholders and everyone you deal with.
* Rekindle the passion. Passion persuades and motivates. Love the work you do or fall back in love with it. Feel that it matters. Passion will help you overcome difficulties and attract great employees, clients and customers.
* Stay mentally flexible. Be open to change and you'll encounter fewer obstacles and more opportunities. You will also be more likely to land a better job, a promotion, a new client or make that big sale.
* Learn from mistakes. Everyone faces setbacks and losses. When this happens, ask yourself some questions. How can I make things better? What can I do differently? Have a resilient attitude. Failure is an opportunity to start again, smarter than you were before.
* Appreciate more. Successful people have a grateful heart that motivates them to achieve. Sometimes we get stuck because we feel we deserve more instead of appreciating what we have. Being grateful makes you happy and happiness gets you moving again.
* Trust your instincts. Donald Trump's trust in his instincts distinguishes his career from his competitors. Follow through on those strong hunches and take a calculated risk occasionally. Following your intuition can make all the difference.
* Take responsibility. The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No blaming or excuses. Admit mistakes. Encourage and accept feedback for improving. Develop a climate of trust within your organization.
* Succeed with people. Never overlook opportunities to create a positive impression, experience or relationship with people. Everyone, no matter the position, is important to your career and success of the company. Treat everyone with respect, consideration and fairness.
* Be a lifelong learner. Strive to be better tomorrow than you were today. Fine-tune your skills and seek learning opportunities to reach your full potential. It's what you learn after you think you've learned it all that will put you on top.
Developing and having the right attitudes is at the core of all winners.
Brad Larsen is a life coach and corporate consultant in Northern Utah. He can be reached at blarsenart@q.com.
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