A Mantra for Success
by Miki Saxon
There’s enough career and how-to-be-successful advice to fill a stadium. It goes back decades; some is out of date in a digital world, but the best stuff isn’t.
- The lesson: Go in with big eyes, big ears, and most importantly don’t be a jerk.
- You can be the most talented and skilled at your job, but if people don’t like you, your success will be limited.
Such was the advice that was given to Corey Burns 12 years ago by a mentor.
He recently gave it to a colleague and it’s just as relevant now as it was then.
It’s also one of the true pearls of wisdom that, if we are paying attention, we each collect in the course of our lives.
The best advice, such as this, is so simple it can be offered in less than two minutes and understood almost instantly. (Click the link for a detailed explanation.)
But practicing it seems to be the biggest obstacle for a lot of people.
Watch, listen, don’t be a jerk.
- Make it your mantra; the thought that guides your words and actions;
- surround yourself with like-minded people; and
- avoid those who scoff and do the opposite, especially in the workplace.
Simple.
So, as Nike would say, just do it.
Image credit: Aaron Gustafson
