Success is mostly about you.

Recently at work, I was reviewing my annual goals with my manager, and thinking about where I was in my career. I made the fatal flaw, just for a second, of comparing myself to peers. Immediately, it hit me. Other than it being unproductive to compare myself to others, most of them have been in the IT field longer than I have. I started out nearly ten years later than most people my age, since my military service was not completely focused on IT; it was a hobby and an additional duty for most of that time. This realization allowed me to reflect on success, and what makes us successful.

Hustle

My second day after signing out on Terminal Leave from the Army, I was working for a friend of a friend as an electrician's apprentice. I knew nothing about being an electrician, but I needed a job. In everything I was asked to do I moved quickly and purposefully. I hustled. When a job was done, I grabbed a broom since I didn’t know what else to do, and cleaned up. I had no idea what I was doing, but I didn’t want to be seen standing around.

Red Sox great, Wade Boggs said, "I played the game one way. I gave it everything I had. It doesn't take any ability to hustle.” Even if you are average, or below average, you should always be willing to do whatever needs done, always willing to move quickly, take on new tasks, and get out there and find a way to make things happen. It is all about showing that you are willing to get things done and make the team successful.

We don’t take no for an answer

One of my favorite lines from the movie Tommy Boy is when David Spade is trying to prepare Chris Farley for the sales meeting and he is trying to get him to say, “We don’t take no for an answer” when customers do not want to buy auto parts from him. Of course, Chris Farley says anything but that. When I was transitioning from the military, I had many conversations with family and with some of my military leaders who kept telling me I wasn’t going to be able to make the income I was planning on. It took me a bit of work, and lots of “No” answers, but I finally surpassed my own goals.

Every time you are told no, do you accept that or do you try to find a way to turn that around? Being respectful and courteous is essential, but you should assume if someone says no, they must have a reason. To move forward in a career, it is imperative to understand the “no”, explore the reasons for “no”, and learn from it. Often times taking the initiative to show how the request can improve things for the person or company we are making the request of, we show value and the talent they want to see, or at least learn for the next time.

What's in it for others?

Motivational speaker Brian Tracy said, "Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, 'What's in it for me?’” Think about the people you like to work with the most. They are all about lifting up and encouraging other people. A friend of mine in a management role is relentless about making sure that team members are recognized. He pushes them to look at their careers and make progress toward their goals. He is growing a team of leaders by focusing on his them.

When you are looking for ways to help other people, when you want to be a team player, when you are looking for ways to recognize others, you will be surprised at how many people want to work with you. Lifting others up, encouraging them to keep going, even when you feel like you are ready to quit, has the remarkable side effect of changing your attitude, encouraging you, and bringing you to the attention of other leaders in a very positive way.


While there is a certain amount of being in the right place at the right time, I firmly believe success is mostly about you. I am still learning, and I am grateful to have so many mentors, some who don’t realize they are acting as mentors, but I feel like I have worked hard and I am seeing my efforts pay off. Kevin Spacey said, "If you're lucky enough to do well, it's your responsibility to send the elevator back down.” One of my life goals is to find ways to help other veterans succeed, mostly by helping them realize their dreams. I would encourage you to think about this, help others, but mostly realize that success truly is mostly about you.