Building a successful business is a journey filled with challenges and opportunities at every turn. It’s a path that demands not just hard work, but smart work—understanding the essential components that form the foundation of successful businesses around the world.

As a business owner, your awareness in these key areas can dramatically shift the scales from start to final success. It’s about crafting your legacy, and your business’s legacy.

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just planting the seeds of your own business, the clarity with which you approach these critical steps will chart the course of your future.

That’s why I’m sharing what it takes to master the art of business success, guiding you to not only meet your ambitions but exceed them, setting new benchmarks in what it means to achieve success in the world of business.

What is Business Success?

A successful business goes beyond growing your income or expanding your market share. Building your legacy, creating a brand that resonates, and establishing a business that not only achieves but redefines its goals are what really lead you to achieve business success everywhere.

To be a successful business owner, you have to pursue excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Successful businesses don’t just have a goal to be profitable, they’re also aiming to positively impact their customers, employees, and communities. They adapt, evolve, and lead in their respective fields, setting standards that others aspire to.

Business success isn’t measured only in financial terms but also in the value it adds to others. It’s about the difference you make in your customers’ lives and the problems you help them solve. It’s about how you, as a small business owner, contribute to society and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Achieving business success is marked by the ability to not just dream big but also to manifest those dreams into reality through strategic planning, effective marketing strategies, and a relentless drive for improvement. The most successful companies understand that success is a continuous journey.

To be successful you must continue to strive to achieve success, innovate, and stay ahead of the curve, ensuring your legacy doesn’t only reflect what you achieved, but how you achieved it and who you helped along the way.

When looking at business success it’s about crafting a story of ambition, resilience, and impact. When your business strategy focuses on building something greater than yourself and something that stands the test of time, you’ll be like many successful businesses out there.

As we explore the different steps to build a successful business, remember that every decision, every strategy, and every innovation add to your business’s success.

What Makes a Business Successful?

At the heart of every successful business lies a combination of factors that propel it forward amidst challenges and competition.

While each enterprise is unique in its journey, there are common threads that weave through the fabric of successful companies. Here are key elements that contribute to business success:

Vision and Innovation

A clear vision coupled with a spirit of innovation forms the cornerstone of successful enterprises. Visionaries who anticipate market trends, identify unmet needs, and dare to innovate are often at the forefront of industry disruption and growth.

Customer-Centric Focus

Businesses that prioritize customer satisfaction stand out in crowded markets. Understanding and exceeding customer expectations, delivering exceptional service, and building strong relationships foster customer loyalty, and drive repeat business.

Strategic Planning and Adaptability

Strategic planning, coupled with the agility to adapt to changing market dynamics, is vital for business success. Successful companies leverage data, market insights, and foresight to chart their course while remaining flexible to seize emerging opportunities and navigate unforeseen challenges.

Effective Leadership

Strong leadership sets the tone for strong company culture and business success. Leaders who inspire, empower, and guide their teams foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability, driving the organization toward its goals.

Talented and Motivated Team

A talented and motivated team is the lifeblood of any successful business. Hiring individuals who align with the company’s values, possess diverse skill sets, and demonstrate a commitment to excellence fuels innovation and drives collective success.

Operational Efficiency

Operational efficiency streamlines processes, reduces waste, and maximizes resources, contributing to business success. Successful companies prioritize efficiency across all facets of operations, from production and supply chain management to customer service and administration.

Financial Management

Good financial management is essential for business success. Successful businesses maintain healthy cash flow, manage expenses prudently, and invest strategically in growth opportunities, ensuring long-term viability and sustainability.

Adaptability to Market Changes

Flexibility and adaptability to market changes are critical for business success. Successful companies anticipate shifts in consumer behavior, industry trends, and regulatory landscapes, pivoting swiftly to capitalize on emerging opportunities and mitigate risks.

10 Steps to Create Business Success

Creating a successful business involves more than just an excellent business idea, you also need to build a solid foundation through strategic planning, relentless execution, and continuous improvement.

Here are key steps that every business owner should take to build a profitable business and ensure company growth.

1. Define Your Vision

Every successful company begins with a clear vision. This vision serves as the compass for all your business activities, guiding the development of your business plan and strategies.

It’s essential to articulate what you want your business to achieve in the long term, setting the stage for long-term positive habits that contribute to the sustainability and continued success of your enterprise.

2. Develop a Business Plan

A well-crafted business plan is crucial for both new and established business owners. It outlines your business goals, strategies, target market, financial projections, and the path to profitability.

A lot of small business owners overlook the importance of a dynamic business plan that evolves with their small business. Regularly revisiting and adjusting your plan is vital for navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with company growth.

3. Understand Your Target Market

Success progresses once you understand your target market. Thorough market research helps identify customer needs, preferences, and behaviors, enabling you to tailor your products or services to meet market demands effectively.

For small businesses, a deep understanding of your niche can be a significant competitive advantage.

4. Focus on Value Creation

What makes businesses successful is their ability to consistently add value to their customers. Whether through innovative products, new ideas, exceptional service, or a unique business model, your focus should always be on how your business can solve problems and enhance the lives of your customers.

5. Cultivate Long-Term Positive Habits

Long-term positive habits are the bedrock of personal and professional success. This includes everything from continuous learning and improvement, and effective time management, to fostering positive relationships with customers, employees, and partners.

Successful business owners know that these habits are critical in building a successful enterprise.

6. Implement a Strategic Marketing Plan

Your marketing strategy is essential in communicating the value your business offers to your target market. A strategic marketing plan encompasses understanding customer behavior, selecting the right marketing channels, and creating compelling messaging that resonates with your audience.

For small businesses, smart marketing tactics can level the playing field against larger competitors.

7. Leverage the Expertise of a Business Coach

A business coach can be a valuable asset for business owners at any stage of their journey. They provide guidance, accountability, and insights that can accelerate your path to success.

Whether it’s refining your business strategy, enhancing leadership skills, or navigating growth challenges, a business coach can help you achieve your goals more efficiently.

8. Monitor and Adjust Your Business Strategy

The business landscape is constantly evolving, and so should your business strategy. Regularly review your performance metrics, market trends, and customer feedback to identify areas for improvement.

Adjusting your strategy in response to these insights ensures your business remains competitive and on track for success.

9. Build a Team Aligned with Your Vision

Your team plays a crucial role in the success of your small business. Hiring individuals who share your vision, values, and dedication to customer satisfaction can drive your business forward.

Investing in your team’s development also pays dividends in terms of productivity, innovation, and workplace morale.

10. Stay Committed to Continuous Improvement

The journey to building a successful company is ongoing. There’s always room for improvement, whether in your products, customer service, internal processes, or personal development as a leader.

Embrace feedback, challenge the status quo, and commit to lifelong learning to ensure your business not only survives but thrives.

Ten Keys to Business Success

There are ten critical areas where your ability to think largely determines the success or failure of your business.

The greater clarity you have in each of these areas, the better decisions you will make and the better results you will achieve.

Purpose

What is the purpose of a business? Many people think that the purpose of a business is to earn a profit, but they are wrong. The true purpose of a business is to create and keep a customer. Fully 50 percent of your time, efforts, and expenses should be focused on creating and keeping customers in some way.

Measure

The key measure of business success is customer satisfaction. Your ability to satisfy your customers to such a degree that they buy from you rather than from someone else, that they buy again, and that they bring their friends is the key determinant to measure success of growth and profitability.

Requirement

The key requirement for wealth building and business success is for you to add value in some way. All wealth comes from adding value. All business growth and profitability come from adding value. Every day, you must be looking for ways to add more and more value to the customer experience.

Focus

The most important person in the business is the customer. You must focus on the customer at all times. Customers are fickle, disloyal, changeable, impatient, and demanding-just like you. Nonetheless, the customer must be the central focus of everything you do in business.

Word

In life, work, and business, you will always be rewarded in direct proportion to the value of your contribution to others, as they see it. The focus on outward contribution, to your company, your potential customers, and your community, is the central requirement for you to become an ever more valuable person, in every area.

Question

The most important question you ask, to solve any problem, overcome any obstacle, or achieve any business goal is “How?” Top people always ask the question “How?” and then act on the answers that come to them.

Strategy

In a world of rapid change and continuing aggressive competition, you must practice continuous improvement in every area of your business and personal life.

As Pat Riley, the basketball coach, said, “If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.” I have found that is an easy way to continuously improve yourself, your business, and your life.

Activity

The heartbeat of your business is sales. Dun & Bradstreet analyzed thousands of companies that had gone broke over the years and concluded that the number-one reason for business failure was “low sales.”

When they researched further, they found that the number-one reason for business success was “high sales.” And all else was commentary.

Number

The most important number in business is cash flow. Cash flow is to the business as blood and oxygen are to the brain. You can have every activity working efficiently in your business, but if your cash flow is cut off for any reason, the business can die, sometimes overnight.

Goal

Every business must have a growth plan. Growth must be the goal of all your business activities. You should have a goal to grow 10 percent, 20 percent, or even 30 percent each year. Some companies grow 50 percent and 100 percent per year, and not by accident. The only real growth is profit growth.

Profit growth is always measurable in what is called “free cash flow.” This is the actual amount of money that the business throws off each month, each quarter, and each year, above and beyond the total cost and expense of running a business.

Embrace Business Success

As an entrepreneur, each decision made, each strategy implemented, and each lesson learned will shape the result of your journey toward business success.

As you navigate the many ups and downs of the business world, remember that success is a continuous pursuit of excellence. Uphold the principles of strategic planning, effective leadership, and operational efficiency, knowing that each step brings you closer to your aspirations.

Embrace the art of business success with determination, ingenuity, and a belief in what is possible. With each milestone you achieve, you will find fulfillment in shaping a future filled with prosperity, purpose, and unparalleled achievement.

As you continue on your journey, consider unlocking your full potential with my free resource, the Sales Growth Potential Quiz. Discover your biggest sales weakness and learn how to turbo-charge your sales faster than ever.

Picture a workday where you’re consistently at the top of your game – productive, engaged, and effective.

Well, I’m here to tell you it’s not a distant dream, it’s a reality within your reach! In this comprehensive guide, I’ll equip you with proven strategies to instantly improve performance at work.

Get ready to transform your work life and become the best version of yourself!

Understand the Importance of Work Performance

Work performance gauges the effectiveness and efficiency of task completion, which directly has an impact on your organization’s productivity. Excelling in your role requires a comprehensive understanding of performance metrics, including job performance and attention to detail.

Enhancing your work performance not only contributes to the success of the organization but also propels your career forward. Factors that play a crucial role in enhancing work performance in an organization include:

• Communication: The cornerstone of successful collaboration.
• Clear Goals: The roadmap to your achievements.
• Job Satisfaction: The fuel that keeps you motivated.
• Employee Engagement: The secret to high performance.

Refining your communication skills is a crucial step towards achieving superior results and fulfilling your job responsibilities.

Master Time Management Techniques

Mastering time management tips, like the Pomodoro Technique and setting deadlines, can significantly improve your work performance by keeping you focused and organized, resulting in overall enhanced productivity.

The Pomodoro Technique helps you break up work into 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks, helping you keep your focus and motivation.

Planning your workday and tasks ahead of time can also enhance your performance. Creating a to-do list and prioritizing tasks based on the deadline allows you to concentrate on the most important assignments first. Setting appropriate time frames for milestones ensures that the overall project is completed efficiently and effectively.

Avoid multitasking because it can reduce productivity by up to 40%. Instead, focus on one task at a time and limit distractions. When possible, take breaks to recharge. Managing your work hours effectively can lead to better work performance and overall job satisfaction.

Embrace Effective Communication

Effective communication is vital for successful collaboration, staying up-to-date, and ensuring tasks are completed on time. To foster better communication within your team, utilize top-rated team communication tools and create a supportive work environment where employees feel comfortable reaching out for help.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions when you’re uncertain about a task or need more information. Asking questions is essential for gaining clarity and avoiding potential misunderstandings or conflicts with colleagues or superiors. Effective communication is the foundation for better work performance and professional growth.

Optimize Your Workspace for Productivity

A clutter-free and organized workspace can significantly boost your productivity and focus, leading to improved work performance. Keeping your desk clean and organized helps you stay efficient and reduces the time spent searching for necessary items.

To maximize productivity further, you can:

• Close unnecessary applications and programs on your computer
• Resist the urge to check notifications for emails or messages
• Maintain a productive workspace

Prioritize Tasks and Set Clear Goals

Prioritizing tasks and setting clear, achievable goals is crucial for maintaining focus and motivation, ultimately leading to improved work performance. To ensure you meet your objectives, focus on important tasks, prioritize based on importance and deadlines, and set clear, achievable goals.

An effective way to stay on track is to set small goals, such as aiming to complete one task efficiently in a day, instead of trying to finish multiple tasks within a tight deadline. This approach helps you stay focused, minimizes stress, and increases your chances of success.

Milestones are essential in your journey to achieving personal and professional success. Setting them helps to identify the right path to success. Establishing clear and achievable goals helps you stay focused and avoid burnout. Keep in mind that task prioritization and clear goal setting are key to unlocking your full work performance potential.

Achieving Work-Life Balance

Developing a healthy work-life balance is the foundation of preventing burnout and sustaining peak performance. Engaging in self-improvement activities, such as meditation, playing sports, or attending social events can help you stay stress-free and healthy, contributing to overall better mental health.

Adequate rest is equally important to maintaining a healthy balance. Sleeping at least 7 hours a night reduces stress and burnout levels, enabling you to stay productive and avoid a cycle of underperformance and higher cortisol levels.

Striking a balance significantly contributes to your overall well-being, enhances your work performance, and positively impacts your personal life.

Embrace Continuous Learning Opportunities

Lifelong learning is essential for personal growth and professional development, which can positively impact work performance. Explore opportunities like attending training sessions, reading industry-related books, taking online courses, and participating in webinars to stay at the forefront of your field.

By actively seeking out these lifelong learning opportunities, you can stay up-to-date and improve your skill set with new skills.

Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Coursera offer a wealth of learning opportunities and resources to help you grow professionally. Continuous learning allows you to tap into your potential, stay competitive, and optimize your work performance.

Cultivate Strong Work Relationships

Building strong relationships with colleagues can lead to better collaboration, increased productivity, and improved work performance. Fostering a supportive work environment and utilizing effective communication will help you enhance your working relationships and successfully complete your tasks.

Collaborating with colleagues can also contribute to your overall growth and success in the workplace. It yields benefits like stronger working relationships, a culture of teamwork, realizing your full potential, and becoming an invaluable asset to your organization.

Utilize Technology and Tools Wisely

Today, we see new tools and technology being released daily, especially when it comes to AI. Utilizing these new types of technology and tools can streamline work processes, enhance communication, and ultimately improve work performance. Mastering performance-enhancing tools can liberate your time, allowing you to concentrate on other crucial aspects of your projects.

Right-sizing your tech and tools will enhance your work performance by avoiding tools that slow down your work pace. Advocating for the right tools or technologies with built-in security features can also have a tremendous impact on operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction

Practicing mindfulness and stress reduction techniques can help you stay focused, calm, and productive, leading to improved work performance. Some techniques I like to incorporate in my day-to-day include:

• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Journaling

Engaging in these activities can help you practice mindfulness and reduce stress levels.

Incorporating mindfulness and stress reduction techniques into your break routine can help you recharge and refocus on any remaining tasks you have left to do. Practicing mindfulness and managing stress will allow you to achieve optimal results.

Embrace Mistakes as Stepping Stones

Making mistakes is normal. But it’s about accepting and learning from those mistakes for personal growth and development, which in the end, can positively impact your work performance. Embracing mistakes and focusing on continuous improvement can help you grow in both personal and professional parts of your life, ultimately advancing your career.

Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses is essential to capitalize on your strengths and work on your weaknesses for potential growth. Learning from your mistakes and strengthening your weak areas can turn you into a valuable asset for forward-thinking companies.

Seek Feedback to Drive Improvements

When you seek feedback from colleagues and supervisors, it can help you identify areas for improvement and implement changes to enhance your work performance. Constructive feedback provides valuable insight into how you can improve and succeed in your daily job responsibilities.

Managers or business owners can also support employees in learning from their mistakes and preventing the same mistake from happening again. Actively seeking feedback and implementing improvements facilitates continuous growth and career advancement.

Stay Organized and Maintain Focus

Staying organized and maintaining focus on prioritizing your to-do list can help you complete them more efficiently and effectively, leading to improved work performance. Organizing your workspace and eliminating distractions can help you stay focused and avoid multitasking, which can negatively impact productivity.

Taking short breaks can help you refresh and refocus your mind, ultimately improving your work performance and helping you reach your goals. Staying organized and focused allows you to attain superior results and optimize your overall performance at work.

Delegate and Collaborate for Success

Delegating tasks and collaborating with colleagues can help you manage your workload effectively, showcase leadership skills, and improve work performance.

Trusting your subordinates to complete delegated work competently and efficiently can free up your time so you can focus on other important areas of your work.

Collaborating with peers and embracing effective communication can contribute to better work performance and overall success in your tasks.

Embrace Adaptability and Flexibility

Navigate changes and challenges more effectively when you embrace adaptability and flexibility in your workplace. Being open to change and adapting to new situations can foster continuous improvement and career growth.

Networking can also enhance work performance by offering chances for professional growth, obtaining new abilities and insights, and obtaining chances to progress and test oneself. Embracing adaptability and flexibility enables you to successfully navigate the dynamic workplace environment, leading to greater success.

Improve Your Work Performance Today

Elevating your work performance is well within your grasp, and it’s all about adopting a well-rounded approach. Understand the power of work performance by mastering time management, communicating effectively, achieving work-life harmony, embracing adaptability and flexibility, and much more.

By incorporating these 30 proven strategies, you’re poised to unlock your true potential, achieve unparalleled success, and become the best version of yourself in 2023 and beyond!

Ready to kickstart your personal growth journey? Download my free Personal Development Plan Template now and take the first step towards achieving your goals!

 

Did you know that anyone can learn how to become a professional speaker?

I’ve spoken in 75 countries around the world over the past 40+ years. And I’ve been translated into different languages by 50 professional interpreters.

But believe it or not, there was a time when I didn’t know how to speak to large crowds. In fact, I used to be nervous when I spoke to the smallest of groups!

You wouldn’t know that today. And that’s because I learned how to become a public speaker. I worked hard to perfect the art of public speaking; I got the experience I needed to feel confident as a public speaker and to speak around the world.

Now I’m ready to pass the reins to you and teach you how to become a motivational speaker or a public speaker who can earn profits for any event. Let’s get started.

How To Start Your Public Speaking Career

Breaking into professional public speaking might seem like a daunting task. But by following a few key strategies, you can both start and sustain your public speaking business.

Here’s how to become a public speaker.

1. Define Your Area Of Expertise

What are you good at? What are you passionate about? What unique perspective do you have to offer? These are the questions you need to answer to figure out so you can zero in on what you’ll talk about as a motivational speaker.

For example, maybe you studied marketing in school. That would give you the knowledge and expertise needed to speak about marketing.

If you want to niche down even further, think about other areas where you have experience. Maybe you’ve worked in the fitness industry — could you speak about marketing for gyms and fitness brands?

Give it a shot! If that topic ends up being too narrow, you can always broaden the lens later.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

Once you figure out what you want to say, you’ll be able to pinpoint who would benefit from hearing your speech. What age are the people who need to hear your message? What’s their career? Where do they live?

Defining your target audience will also help you determine what examples you should use to communicate your points most effectively. And when you know your audience, you’ll also be able to figure out where to find them — such as a marketing conference or another industry event.

3. Gain Public Speaking Skills

Knowing what to say in your speech is important. But knowing how to communicate effectively is essential, too.

Invest some serious time and energy into improving your public speaking skills. Learning from talented public speakers is always beneficial because those speakers have firsthand experience to share.

You might consider taking public speaking classes, too. A course is an excellent way to improve your communication skills and help overcome any nerves you might be feeling. This is an important step in developing your unique public speaking voice.

However you decide to brush up on these skills, don’t forget to practice, practice, practice! This is the best way to ensure your public speaking skills will grab your audience’s attention.

4. Learn The Art Of Speech Writing

Now that you know who your audience is and have established strong public speaking skills, it’s time to perfect the art of writing your speech so you can wow your crowd.

You can generally think of speeches as having three sections — the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Start with a strong introduction. You might choose to start your speech by thanking the people who organized the event, quoting well-known industry leaders, asking a question, telling a story, or doing something else entirely.

Once you’ve covered all of your key points, it’s time to end your speech with a bang. Again, there are several ways you can go here based on your particular speech and the audience you’re giving it to. It’s always a good idea to summarize your key points and include a call to action.

Whatever that looks like for you, make sure to leave your audience with something to remember. This will make your speeches effective as you learn how to become a public speaker.

5. Create A Professional Presence Online

When it comes to becoming a motivational speaker, a strong online presence is essential. As soon as people receive your pitch, they’re going to open their computer and check you out online. So give them something good to find!

Make sure you have a nice website that showcases your personal brand and clearly explains what you do. You’ll also want to be active on multiple social media platforms, such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

If you really want to prove the value you have to bring, start creating content that showcases your expertise or even your public speaking skills. Educational blog posts or videos are a great way to show that you know what you’re talking about. Producing high-quality content for the web can sway people into deciding to work with you.

Those blog posts and videos serve as tangible proof that you’re one of the best motivational speakers out there, helping you along the way as you work toward becoming a public speaker.

How To Book Your First Public Speaking Gig

Booking your first speaking gig can seem like a difficult task. But, the good news? Once you get this one under your belt, you’ll feel much more confident and capable of moving forward.

For your first speaking engagement, you might need to be willing to speak for free or at a reduced cost. But as you gain experience with subsequent engagements, your rate can (and should) rise. Here are a few key tips for that all-important first gig.

Avoid Cold Calling

Cold calling is a waste of time when you’re just starting out. Strangers aren’t going to hire you, especially if you don’t have any experience yet. It’s more important to focus on building your network and creating personal connections with people who might hire you in the future. Plus you will be much more nervous speaking to people during a cold call, versus the connections you make.

Simply talking about your new career as a public speaker can be hugely helpful both now and down the road. You never know who has connections and who might need a speaker. Share with your friends, family, and coworkers that you’re looking for a speaking gig.

You can also attend industry-specific events to focus on networking. And if you take a public speaking course, connecting with the teacher and your fellow students is a smart idea, too.

Start With Local Events

Chances are, there are dozens of speaking opportunities available in your town or the surrounding area. Local events might not seem glamorous or exciting. But they’ll help you gain the credibility you need to slowly grow your career.

Try looking for local events or conferences and pitching your speaking services to them. You won’t be able to jump into nationwide events right away. But if you start building now with small local venues, you’ll be able to speak at larger and larger events over time as you learn how to become a public speaker.

Attend Networking Engagements

Meeting new people in person opens up huge opportunities for collaboration. How can you find these opportunities as you learn how to become a motivational speaker?

Run a quick Google search for “networking events near me” and see what comes up. You can also ask around in industry Facebook or LinkedIn groups to see what sort of events your peers frequent.

Sites such as Eventbrite have helpful search functions where you can find even more events in your area.

After you find an event to attend, remember to follow up with anyone you spoke to. This is a good way to sustain the relationship and potentially get motivational speaking engagements down the road.

Have Realistic Expectations

You might have to reach out to multiple places regarding a speaking engagement before you get a yes. And that’s okay! Don’t lose your motivation. Have perseverance and keep pursuing speaking gigs, contacting anyone who seems like a good fit.

It’s also important to keep in mind that your first speaking engagement might not be a paid engagement. And that’s okay, too.

You may have to speak for free several times before you land a paid gig. Remember, doing small, unpaid engagements is okay for now because these small engagements will lead to more opportunities down the road.

You’re building the blocks of your speaking career, and once you nail down your first speaking gig, things will get easier and easier from then on.

How To Make A Career As A Public Speaker

Once you gain confidence after a few successful speaking engagements under your belt, you’ll find more and more doors opening up. The key is to keep seeking out opportunities, doing the best job you can, and then asking what comes next. Don’t stay stagnant — the best motivational speakers always keep moving forward!

Learn How To Negotiate Your Speaking Fee

The process of negotiating your speaking fee might seem intimidating. Here’s what I suggest. First, do some research; talk to other talented public speakers to figure out what they earn. This can help you fix a specific number in your mind.

Don’t accept the first number you’re offered for a motivational speaking gig. Ask for some time to think it over. Most people actually have a range in mind when they offer you a certain fee. Whereas they probably want to pay you the lowest amount in that range, however, your goal is to get the highest!

Use a technique called bracketing to ask for a rate that’s slightly higher, requesting a rate that’s between 110% and 130% of the amount you’re offered. This increases the chance you’ll get paid the amount you want.

Never Stop Promoting Your Speaking Services

If you want to become a successful motivational speaker, you aren’t going to automatically achieve that goal overnight. It’s essential to continue strategically marketing yourself — just like you would do for any other business.

What does that look like? Networking and word-of-mouth referrals will continue to play a huge part long term. Social media is very effective, too.

And remember to create a professionally-designed website where you can direct your social media followers so they can learn more about the public speaking services you offer.

Master The Art Of Selling From The Stage

To learn how to become a motivational speaker, you need to know how to promote yourself. Your self-promotion should be relevant to the event, your audience, and what you’re talking about. Whatever you’re promoting should also be something that brings real value to your audience.

For example, if you wrote a book that your audience would like, take a copy up on stage with you and find a moment to show it to the audience. If you’ve created a tool that solves a problem you’re talking about in your speech, mention that tool. At the end of your speech, briefly talk about your company and tell people how they can get in touch with you.

These are a few ways you can promote yourself and boost your overall income without coming across as someone who’s only interested in making a sale.

Find Ways To Monetize After The Speech

To come home with as much revenue as possible, think past the event itself (such as a Ted Talk) and find ways to monetize after your speech. How can you upsell your audience? Find ways to bring more value to your audience, and you’ll walk away with more money.

For example, if you have permission from the event organizers, maybe you can sell a recording of the event. Motivational speakers on YouTube are also popular; try uploading your speech there.

You might also want to create a workbook or course that gives audience members strategies they can use as they put your advice into practice. In addition, consider diving deeper and offering a workshop or some type of extended training based on the topic of your speech.

Continue Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Always keep improving your skills and learning new techniques. There will never be a time when you’ve learned everything there is to know about how to become a motivational speaker. You can always learn more! Focusing on continued education is the best thing you can do for your career.

Unlock the power of persuasion and master the art of public speaking with my exclusive 5-Minute Speech Formula. Start captivating your audience today.

Editor’s Note: This post was updated for 2023 to include additional advice on how to book speaking engagements, how to negotiate a public speaking fee, and how to make money as a professional speaker. 

Your ability to set and pursue short-term goals and long-term goals significantly influences the success and profitability of your business administration, your enterprise, and your personal life.

Top executives, renowned for their achievements, share one trait: they’re long-term thinkers.

These visionaries project themselves five years into the future, envisioning their positions and responsibilities, all to fulfill their long-term aspirations and prioritize goals. Their continuous quest wondering how to set goals and refine strategic planning propels their business achievements.

Understanding Long-Term Goals

Long-term personal and professional goals are the pinnacle of your professional advancement, requiring substantial time and dedication. Swift achievements aren’t the goal here; meticulous planning and resolute commitment are vital. These objectives might span months or even years.

But remember, even the grandest goals can be broken into manageable portions. A technique called chunking aids this process, dividing the long-term intention into smaller tasks or segments.

Applying this approach enhances any undertaking. Say you aspire to become a bestselling author to elevate your professional network and business profile. Where do you begin?

Start with the ultimate goal—landing on the bestsellers list—and scaffold it with intermediary objectives. Your initial aim might be as simple as learning how to write a book.

Once you’ve studied the techniques employed by successful authors, you can outline milestones along your journey. These stepping stones encompass planning, writing, editing, designing, marketing, and ultimately publishing your book.

In this manner, the short-term goals become scaffolding for your overarching objective of becoming a bestselling author.

Long-term Goals vs. Short-term Goals

Long-term objectives serve as the guiding stars that help crystallize your ambitions. Within them, reside the seeds of short-term objectives – the stepping stones that usher you toward monumental accomplishments.

Consider your long-term triumphs as constellations in the night sky, while your short-term goals function as the guiding lights that illuminate your path.

Picture your team conceiving a groundbreaking app poised to garner a million views annually within two years. These objectives serve as the rudders steering your choices and delineating the destiny of your application. Envision the incremental strides necessary to ascend toward loftier achievements – these are the essence of your short-term and long-term career goals.

Navigating Business Goals vs Personal Goals

It’s imperative to navigate the distinctions between long-term goals for your business, your team, and your personal growth.

While certain goals might align—such as financial or professional achievements—others are tailored exclusively to personal aspirations, like achieving a better work-life balance, honing your time management skills, or laying the groundwork for a comfortable retirement. Recognizing and differentiating between these different types of goals is essential.

Goals for your whole business might pertain to business growth or revenue growth. Team goals could involve communication skills or adding more employees to your roster.

Sometimes these goals might overlap with your personal goals.

But it’s good to have goals for yourself that are completely separate from your business, too. For example, quantifiable goals for improving your time management, becoming a better parent or life partner, a healthy diet, or saving for retirement. These goals are intended for personal growth.

Why Set Long-Term Goals?

Before we talk about some examples of long-term goals, make sure you understand why these types of goals are so crucial and how they can help.

The act of setting definitive long-term career goals catalyzes elevating your performance and bolstering your self-assurance. It’s a reflection of the unwavering belief you hold in your capacity to acquire knowledge and leverage it for your betterment.

Every stride you take towards self-improvement invariably enhances your job performance. Furthermore, goals possess the remarkable potential to augment your workplace contentment through the refinement of your day-to-day objectives.

Sustain Focus and Motivation

Long-term goals emerge as beacons amid the routine challenges of each day. They bestow a sense of direction upon your endeavors, infusing purpose into your actions.

By persistently advancing new skills in the areas that genuinely matter, these objectives provide intrinsic motivation and a positive mindset that propels you forward. The achievement of short-term milestones en route to your ultimate goal fuels an enduring sense of determination.

Uphold Your Vision

As the operational intricacies of daily tasks accumulate, the clarity of your original business dream can sometimes waver.

Long-term goals rekindle the passion that initially fueled your dream country or venture’s inception. Functioning as a bridge between mundane daily responsibilities and your aspirational vision, these goals make your dream palpable and attainable.

Enhance Your Business Operations

Continuous refinement of your day-to-day business operations is a linchpin for sustainable growth. The more streamlined your processes, the higher your overall performance.

In this context, long-term goals are akin to a compass, guiding you toward operational optimization and amplification of revenue streams. They provide a framework to systematically identify areas of improvement, innovate, and thereby elevate the efficiency and effectiveness of your business operations.

Incorporating personal or professional development objectives, such as obtaining a professional certification, attending a leadership course, or honing public speaking skills, into your long-term goals can empower you with the tools to lead with authority and navigate complex challenges effectively.

Ultimately, weaving the threads of long-term goals into the fabric of your business and personal aspirations not only shapes a successful career path but also nurtures a life imbued with meaningful achievements.

How To Set Your Long-Term Business Goals

There’s a simple five-part formula for developing a sense of direction that you can use for both your personal and your personal or professional advancement goals for the rest of your life.

It’s called the GOSPA Formula.

The letters in the word GOSPA stand for Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Priorities, and Activities.

Goals

First, the formula starts with setting your own goals first. A goal is a specific place where you want to end up, at the end of a specific time. For example, your goal could be a certain volume of sales, or a certain level of profitability at the end of a quarter or the end of a year.

Every goal you set should be SMART. A SMART goal is:

• Specific. A specific goal is not vague–it outlines exactly what you are trying to do.

• Measurable. Use quantifiable metrics to help you measure when you’ve reached the end goal.

• Achievable. This might not be the time to shoot for the stars. You don’t want to end up discouraged if you can’t reach your goal. Challenge yourself, but make sure the goal is within the realm of possibility.

• Relevant. Every goal you set should be relevant to what’s going on in your business.

• Timely. Finally, a SMART goal will have a deadline. Specify a date by which you need to achieve this goal.

An example of a SMART business goal might be, “Double your monthly revenue within the next three years.”

For a personal goal, you could set a goal such as, “By the end of the year, I want to be able to run five miles.”

Setting SMART goals is helpful because they outline a clear vision with an actionable plan. You’re more likely to reach a goal that adheres to these parameters.

Objectives

The letter O stands for objectives. These are the sub-goals that you’ll need to accomplish to achieve your long-term goal.

Breaking up your big goals into smaller ones is one of the best goal-setting tips I can give you.

Long-term goals are ideal for your big picture, but if you only focus on your major goals, you’re likely not going to reach them as easily. Instead, you want to take that goal and split it into several smaller achievable goals that will ultimately lead you to the big one.

Once you have a long-term goal in place, medium-term goals should come next, and then short-term goals.

If your long-term goal will take years to complete, consider using months as a time reference for your medium-term and long-term goals examples and weeks or days for your short-term goals.

Maybe your long-term goal is to launch a new product in the next two years. Within a certain number of months, less than a year, you may want to create and test a prototype.

Short-term goals, like research, testing, or gathering materials, will help you reach the prototype stage and help you get to your bigger goal.

Strategies

The third letter in GOSPA stands for strategies. Your strategy is the method you use to accomplish the objectives of your goals.

For example, if we look at sales, your strategy could be to build an internal sales force or you could outsource all sales to a professional organization. Within this could have numerous sub-strategies within your overall, single sales strategy.

Priorities

Next in the GOSPA formula is setting your priorities. Not all goals are alike. You may need to start working on some of your goals right away. But others might be able to simmer on the back burner until you’re ready for them.

The million-dollar question is how can you decide which goal or goals to work toward first?

To help you decide, make a list of all your business and financial goals first. Physically write them out with a pen and paper.

Next, figure out how important each goal is to you. Consider creating a value system, such as 1-5, and assigning each goal a number based on importance. You can also rank your goals based on urgency.

If you’re getting external pressure from someone else about a certain goal, or if that goal needs to be completed within a certain timeline for any reason, it might be more urgent than the others.

From there, you can decide which goals you want to prioritize the most. But this list doesn’t have to be set in stone. It’s okay to come back to your goals–say, once a month–and reevaluate. You can always change your strategy for setting long-term goals in the future.

Activities

The final letter in the GOSPA Formula is A, which stands for activities. These are the specific daily functions that are delegated to individuals with standards of performance and set deadlines.

If you’ve thought out this process completely, each activity will be determined by the current priorities. Each achievement of your priorities will lead to the accomplishment of the strategy.

When your strategy is carried out, you’ll achieve your objectives and at the end of the period, you’ll reach your goals for a specific level of sales or profitability.

One of the primary qualities of executives in high-profit businesses is that they are continuously going through the strategic planning process. They are always playing down the board. They’re always thinking about the future and about the different things they can do, and how to set up realistic timelines and goals to make their desired future a reality.

Track Progress

Once you’ve performed the GOSPA formula on your goals, all that’s left to maintain your growth is to track your progress.

This step is essential—most successful people regularly check in on their progress, considering the actionable steps they’ve been taking to help them achieve long-term goals.

The method you use to track your progress might vary depending on the nature of a certain goal. At a basic level, however, you want to make a note of everything you do to help reach those long-term goals. Then set time aside to sit down and review.

How much time did you spend last week working toward your goal?

What short-term goals did you check off?

Have you run into any obstacles or roadblocks that might alter your overall timeline?

By carefully tracking your progress as you head toward the finish line, you’ll get valuable firsthand insights that you can use to inform your strategy throughout the entire process.

5 Examples Of Long-Term Business Goals

Do you feel ready to start setting some long-term personal goals, but unsure of where to start? Take a look at these examples of long-term business goals.

Launch A New Product

Launching a new product or service could make an excellent business goal. Depending on the product specifications, it could take anywhere from a few months to several years to bring the product to the market.

This isn’t a process you want to rush–you want any new product or service that you offer to be as high-quality as possible.

Increase Your Sales And Earnings

Increasing your revenue could also serve as a long-term goal for your company. Choose a specific number and a time frame so you’ll know when you’ve reached this goal. For example: “We want to see $XXX in monthly revenue by this month and this year.”

Then figure out what smaller goals you need to set to see the sales numbers you want to see.

Grow Your Social Media Presence

Numbers aren’t everything on social media. The amount of followers you have is important. But engagement is extremely important, too–and so is your overall company reputation and what people are saying about you online.

If you decide to set a long-term goal that relates to social media, consider which metrics are most relevant to your other business goals (for example, your click-through rate will likely have a big impact on your revenue). Then include those in your goal.

Expand Into A New Market

Another example of a long-term goal is to expand into a new market. This can be a great way to pull ahead of your competition. Smaller goals to help you reach a new market could include conducting market research, getting feedback from your current customers, and figuring out what kind of timeline this goal will require.

Hire A Larger Team

Hiring more employees can help grow your business as you bring new perspectives and new skill sets into the room. But don’t hire just for the sake of hiring–hire strategically, figuring out which positions will be the most helpful. If you’re trying to grow your social media presence, a new social media manager might be in order.

Final Thoughts

Goal setting isn’t always easy. But setting long-term goals is the best way to build your dream job or company and advance your career plan, taking concrete steps toward whatever success means for you.

Looking for more goal-setting advice to help you get started? Check out my 14-Step Goal-Setting Guide. This free ebook outlines the strategies you need to avoid common mistakes and succeed with your goals.

If you’re ready to invest in your own business and your personal life like never before, this is the resource for you–my best goal-setting tips all in one place.

Download the ebook for free!

In today’s dynamic and interconnected world, the ability to create lasting connections and make a memorable impact on the corporate world is more important than ever.

Whether you’re attending a networking event, going on a first date, or entering a crucial business meeting, the art of making a great first impression can pave the way for success. It sets the stage for meaningful relationships, opens doors to exciting opportunities, and leaves a lasting mark on those you encounter.

But what exactly makes a first impression remarkable?

It’s a delicate dance between non-verbal cues, polished appearance, effective communication skills, fairly accurate personality judgments, and the demonstration of self-assurance, confidence, and authenticity.

I’ll share how to create impactful first impressions, why impressions matter, the importance of non-verbal communication for impression accuracy, the significance of a polished appearance, the role of effective verbal communication in impression management, and the importance of exuding confidence and authenticity.

Plus much more—let’s dive in.

The Importance Of First Impressions

When it comes to making a first good impression, or bad first impression, its significance cannot be overstated. Research states that it takes just a few seconds for individuals to form their impressions based on an initial judgment about someone they meet.

These initial impressions and perceptions of people tend not to solidify within a mere 30 seconds, of course, making it crucial to cultivate positive first impressions.

First impressions play a pivotal role in your personal and professional life. In personal relationships, the first impression sets the foundation for future interactions and can influence the development of a lasting connection.

In professional settings, a bad first impression often can determine whether you receive opportunities for career advancement, a potential new job interview, partnerships, and other important matters of business and career success.

Mastering Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication is a language of its own, capable of speaking volumes without uttering a single word. It encompasses body language, facial expressions, gestures, and even the tone of voice.

When it comes to creating a strong and positive first impression, mastering the way you communicate is paramount. It can significantly influence how others perceive and respond to you.

Here are some essential tips to help you refine your non-verbal communication skills and make a lasting impact

Positive and Confident Body Language

Your body language speaks volumes before you even utter a word. It has the power to convey confidence, openness, and approachability.

Stand tall with your back straight, shoulders back, and head held high. Good posture not only improves your physical presence but also signals confidence and self-assurance. It shows that you are attentive and ready to engage in meaningful conversation.

You’ll also want to strike a balance between being relaxed and attentive when talking and engaging in conversation. Avoid stiff or rigid postures, as they can make you appear unapproachable.

Instead, maintain a relaxed stance while still showing active interest through subtle nods, leaning slightly forward, and maintaining your position with open body orientation.

Keep your arms open and relaxed by your sides or use them purposefully to support your verbal communication. Open body language invites others to approach you and encourages a positive exchange.

Lastly, smile. A smile is a universal sign of warmth and approachability.

When meeting someone for the first time, greet them with a genuine smile. It instantly creates a positive and welcoming atmosphere, making others feel at ease in your presence. Remember, a smile is contagious and can help set the tone for a pleasant interaction.

Eye Contact

Eye contact is a powerful tool for making a great first impression. It conveys attention, interest, and respect.

When engaging a person in conversation, establish eye contact early on. As the conversation progresses, maintain regular eye contact to signal ongoing interest and engagement and demonstrate that you value the person’s words and opinions.

While maintaining eye contact is important, it’s also essential to strike a balance. Occasionally glancing away can prevent the conversation from becoming intense or overwhelming. This subtle break in making eye contact allows for a more relaxed and natural flow of conversation.

As always, engage in active listening by using your eyes effectively, nodding occasionally, raising your eyebrows to show interest, and maintaining a soft gaze. These visual cues assure the other person that you are fully present and interested in what they have to say.

Appropriate Gestures

Gestures can enhance your communication and help convey your message with clarity and impact.

Use hand movements to emphasize key points or illustrate concepts. Purposeful gestures can enhance the understanding and engagement of your audience. However, be mindful of the context and the cultural norms of the setting to ensure your gestures are appropriate and well-received.

While gestures can be powerful when making a first impression, it’s important not to overdo them. Excessive or erratic movements can detract from your message and come across as distracting or unprofessional.

In certain situations, mirroring or matching the gestures of the other person you’re interested in interacting or talking with can foster a sense of rapport and connection. Subtly reflect their body language to create a subconscious bond and match that person’s personality to make them feel more comfortable.

Facial Expressions

Your facial expressions convey emotions and help establish a connection. As mentioned, a smile is one of the most captivating expressions. It conveys friendliness, openness, and approachability.

When meeting someone for the first time, offer a genuine smile to create a positive and inviting atmosphere. A warm smile can set the stage for a pleasant interaction and leave a lasting positive impression.

Whatever your facial expressions are, they should reflect warmth and genuine interest in the person you are conversing with. Maintain an attentive expression by keeping your eyebrows relaxed and slightly raised. Show engagement through subtle head nods and a relaxed facial demeanor.

Be sure to avoid negative or inappropriate facial expressions that can create negative first impressions. Avoid frowning, scowling, or rolling your eyes, as these expressions can convey disinterest, judgment, or disrespect. Maintain a pleasant and open facial expression to foster a positive and welcoming environment.

Polished Appearance and Dressing for Success

Personal grooming and attire significantly impact the impression you make on others. They are visible indicators of your attention to detail, professionalism, and self-care.

How you present yourself through your physical appearance can greatly influence how others perceive and respond to you. Here are some essential aspects to consider when it comes to your appearance.

Grooming and Hygiene

Personal grooming habits significantly contribute to the impression you make on others. By paying attention to cleanliness, hairstyle, and overall presentation, you showcase your self-care and attention to detail.

Well-groomed people often create a positive and polished first impression, as they demonstrate a sense of professionalism and respect for themselves and those around them.

Take the time to maintain a clean appearance, ensure a neat hairstyle, and present yourself in a way that reflects your personal style and the context of the situation. Remember, grooming and hygiene are essential components of presenting your best self and making a memorable, good impression when first meeting someone.

Dressing Appropriately

Adapting your attire to different occasions and environments is key to making a positive impression. Understanding the dress code expectations and aligning your own clothing style with the specific context demonstrates respect for the situation and the people you are interacting with.

Dressing appropriately shows that you value the occasion and have taken the time to consider how your appearance can contribute to a positive and harmonious environment.

Your attire is a visual representation of your professionalism and consideration, and it plays a vital role in creating a strong and memorable first impression.

Dressing for Success

In professional settings, dressing for success holds significant importance. Your attire has the power to enhance your credibility and professionalism. Opt for well-fitted, tailored clothing that flatters your body shape and aligns with the industry norms and company culture.

Choose appropriate colors and styles that project confidence and competence. By dressing for success, you convey a level of attention to detail and a commitment to presenting yourself in the best possible light.

Whether it’s for a formal business gathering, a job interview, or just your day-to-day office day, when you dress for success, you exude confidence and create an image that instills trust and respect among your colleagues, clients, and business partners.

Accessories

Choosing the right accessories is also essential in creating a well-rounded and cohesive overall appearance. Complement your style and enhance your outfit without overpowering it with your accessories.

Simple and tasteful accessories can add a touch of personality while maintaining a professional and polished image. A classic watch, a subtle piece of jewelry, or a professional bag or briefcase will align with the occasion and reflect your attention to detail.

The goal is to strike a balance between personal expression and maintaining a professional demeanor. Thoughtfully chosen accessories can elevate your overall impression, showcasing your style and attention to detail in a subtle yet impactful way.

Effective Verbal Communication Skills

While non-verbal cues are vital, verbal communication also plays a critical role in making a great first impression. It complements your non-verbal communication by conveying your thoughts, ideas, and personality.

Here are some strategies to improve your verbal communication skills.

Clear and Confident Speech

To effectively convey your message, it’s important to speak clearly, enunciate your words, and modulate your voice. Ensure that your words are easily understood by articulating them with clarity and precision.

Avoid speaking too softly, as it may make it difficult for others to hear you, or speaking too loudly, which can be overwhelming or off-putting. Find a comfortable volume and tone that is appropriate for the situation and the people you are interacting with.

Clear and confident speech not only enhances your communication but also projects professionalism and competence. When you speak with clarity, confidence, and appropriate volume, your words have the power to captivate and engage others, leaving a lasting positive impression.

Active Listening

Active listening is a crucial skill in making a great first impression when meeting someone. Giving your full attention to the person speaking and demonstrating genuine engagement is key.

Actively listening when meeting someone requires more than just hearing the words, it involves understanding and valuing what the other person is saying.

Show your attentiveness by nodding in agreement or acknowledgment, maintaining eye contact to establish a connection, and providing verbal affirmations. These cues convey that you are actively processing and appreciating their thoughts and ideas.

By actively listening and talking, you create a sense of mutual respect and understanding, fostering a meaningful connection from the very first interaction.

Meaningful Conversations

Moving beyond surface-level small talk is essential in making a lasting first impression. Engage in conversations that delve into meaningful topics and demonstrate a genuine interest in the thoughts, experiences, and perspectives of the person you are interacting with.

Instead of sticking to generic questions, ask thoughtful and more specific questions and inquiries that invite deeper dialogue. Show curiosity and actively listen to their responses, allowing the conversation to flow organically. By engaging the person in meaningful conversations, you create a space for authentic connections to flourish. Genuine interest in the other person’s world fosters a sense of trust, rapport, and mutual understanding.

Thoughtful Questions

Asking thoughtful, open-ended questions is powerful in making a great impression. By posing questions that invite the other person to talk and share more about themselves, you demonstrate genuine curiosity and interest.

Open-ended questions encourage meaningful conversations and allow the person to provide insightful and personal responses. These questions go beyond simple yes or no answers and encourage the other person to reflect, share their experiences, and express their thoughts and emotions. By asking thoughtful questions, you create a dynamic exchange that fosters a sense of connection and engagement.

The key is to actively listen to their responses and respond with genuine interest and follow-up questions. Thoughtful questions pave the way for meaningful interactions, enabling you to establish a deeper connection from the outset.

Demonstrating Confidence and Authenticity

Confidence and authenticity are key ingredients in creating a strong and memorable first impression. When you demonstrate confidence, you inspire trust and captivate others.

When you exhibit authenticity, you allow people to connect with the real you. Here are some tips to help you project confidence and authenticity.

Embracing Self-Confidence

Believing in yourself and your abilities will help you make a good and make a first impression, that others remember. Embrace your unique strengths and accomplishments, allowing them to radiate in your interactions.

Practice positive self-talk and affirmations to boost your confidence and recognize your worth and the value you bring to the table. When you project self-assurance, others are more likely to perceive you as competent and capable. Embracing self-confidence sets the stage for a positive and impactful first impression.

Overcoming Nervousness and Anxiety

Social situations can often trigger feelings of nervousness and anxiety. Overcoming these emotions can be challenging, but there are techniques that can help. Deep breathing exercises can calm your nerves and provide a sense of grounding.

Visualize yourself succeeding and feeling at ease in social interactions. Use positive affirmations to reaffirm your confidence and capability.

Everyone experiences nerves to some extent, and managing them is a skill that can be developed. By effectively managing nervousness and anxiety, you can project a sense of calm and composure, enhancing your first impression.

Being Authentic

Be true to yourself and avoid trying to be someone you’re not. Embrace your unique qualities, quirks, and strengths. When you present your authentic self, others can sense your genuineness and connect with you on a deeper level. Authenticity fosters trust and rapport, as it demonstrates that you are comfortable in your own skin and have nothing to hide. Allow your true personality to shine through, and let others appreciate the real you.

Positive Mindset

Cultivating a positive mindset is instrumental in making a strong first impression. Focus on the present moment and avoid dwelling on past failures or anxieties about the future.

A positive outlook allows you to approach interactions with optimism and enthusiasm. It radiates warmth and optimism, making you more approachable and likable.

When you maintain a positive mindset, you exude confidence and create a welcoming atmosphere for others. Embrace positivity as a foundational aspect of your job and your first impression management toolkit, and watch how it positively impacts your connections and job opportunities.

Cultivating Empathy and Respect

Empathy and respect are fundamental in creating positive first impressions, fostering meaningful connections, and building strong relationships. They allow us to understand and appreciate others’ perspectives, experiences, and emotions.

Here’s how you can cultivate these qualities.

Empathy in Action

Put yourself in others’ shoes and make a genuine effort to understand their perspectives and emotions. Actively listen to what they have to say and respond with empathy.

Show that you value their opinion, thoughts, and feelings by acknowledging and validating them. When you demonstrate empathy, you create a sense of understanding and connection, fostering a meaningful and memorable first impression.

Treating Others with Respect and Kindness

Respect and kindness are fundamental in creating a positive first impression. Treat everyone with respect, regardless of their background, status, or opinions. Show consideration and appreciation for others’ thoughts and contributions.

Be mindful of your words

 and actions, ensuring they reflect kindness and inclusivity. When you treat others with respect and kindness, you create a welcoming and harmonious environment that sets the stage for meaningful connections.

Genuine Interest in Others

Demonstrating a genuine interest in talking to others is a surefire way to make a good first impression. Show curiosity about their lives, experiences, and passions.

Ask open-ended questions that invite them to talk and share more about themselves. Actively listen to their responses, giving them your full attention.

By showing sincere interest, you create a space where others feel valued and heard. Meaningful connections are built on the foundation of genuine interest and curiosity.

Building Trust and Rapport

Empathy is instrumental in building trust and rapport. By understanding and acknowledging others’ perspectives and emotions, you create a safe and supportive environment. Show compassion and empathy in your interactions, making others feel comfortable and accepted.

When people trust you, they are more likely to open up, share their thoughts and feelings, and form a deeper connection. Building trust and rapport through empathy sets the stage for meaningful and long-lasting relationships.

How To Make A Great First Impression

Making a great first impression is an art that can open doors to exciting opportunities and the one chance to forge lasting connections. It’s about unleashing your personal magnetism and leaving a positive, indelible mark on those you meet

Simply recap these key strategies to immediately put these ideas into action and a second chance to make a great, first-time job interview impression:

• Master non-verbal communication through positive body language, eye contact, appropriate gestures, and warm facial expressions.
• Pay attention to your appearance, dress appropriately for each occasion, and dress for success in professional settings.
• Improve verbal communication skills by speaking clearly and confidently, actively listening, engaging in meaningful conversations, and asking thoughtful questions.
• Embrace confidence and authenticity, overcome nervousness, and develop a positive mindset.
• Cultivate empathy, treat others with respect and kindness, show genuine interest in others, and build trust and rapport.

By doing new rese

arch and consistently practicing and applying these techniques in real-life scenarios, you can take control of your first impressions and create lasting connections.

Additionally, small changes in your physical appearance can change your life.

“Making a great first impression is imperative to becoming an influential leader.”

If you enjoyed this article and feel it was valuable in teaching you how to make a really really good first impression or a better first impression yourself, while of course avoiding making a bad first impression, download my free self-confidence assessment and discover your current level of self-confidence.

To succeed in today’s competitive business environment, cultivating a robust network of contacts is essential for career advancement. With a strong network of contacts, you can unlock new opportunities and foster meaningful connections that will help propel your professional growth.

Professional networking is the key to opening doors and seizing exciting opportunities in this interconnected world we live in. It goes beyond exchanging business cards and attending events—it’s about cultivating genuine relationships and strategically leveraging them.

In this blog, I want to share the ins and outs of professional networking, from developing the right mindset to mastering essential skills and implementing effective strategies. Get ready to supercharge your career and discover the immense power of professional networking.

​Let’s dive in and embark on this journey toward mastering the art of professional networking together.

The Value of Professional Networking for Career Success

Professional networking is a powerful tool that can significantly impact your career success. By actively building and nurturing your professional network, you gain access to a wealth of resources, opportunities, and insights that can propel your career forward.

Networking opens doors to hidden job opportunities, helps you gather valuable industry insights, and provides access to mentors who can guide you on your career path. Moreover, through networking, you can expand your knowledge, stay updated on industry trends, and build relationships with influential professionals.

The connections you forge through professional networking can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and referrals that can enhance your professional reputation and open doors to exciting new ventures. In today’s competitive job market, networking is not just a beneficial option—it’s a necessity for those aiming to achieve long-term career success.

Benefits of Professional Networking

Engaging in professional networking activities can lead to numerous benefits that enrich both your personal and professional life. These advantages include:

• Boosting self-confidence through exposure to diverse perspectives: Interacting with professionals from various industries broadens your horizons, helping you develop a more well-rounded understanding of the world around you.
• Enhancing motivation by learning from other’s successes and challenges: Hearing about the accomplishments and obstacles faced by others on their career path can inspire you to overcome your own hurdles and strive for greater achievements.
• Better job opportunities: Expanding your professional network increases the likelihood of discovering new job openings or receiving referrals for positions within your field.
• Maintaining relationships for a higher purpose: Making meaningful ties with people who have similar goals can help you collaborate, exchange resources, and assist one another’s progress in your professions.

It’s essential to approach networking with an open mind and genuine interest in making connections based on shared interests rather than simply seeking out potential business partners or clients. This mindset will help foster long-lasting relationships built upon mutual respect and trust.

Networking with professionals can be a huge advantage for you if you’re aiming to progress your career, offering the potential to increase understanding and cultivate relationships. 

By shifting your mindset towards networking, you can create an environment that is conducive to long-term success by focusing on personal development and embracing a give-and-take approach.

Shifting Your Mindset Towards Networking

To make the most of professional networking opportunities, view it as a research process where you learn about people in your industry while building sustainable relationships that foster growth. 

This mindset shift helps overcome any aversion towards networking by focusing on how it will boost knowledge and skills while forging meaningful working relationships.

Embracing a Give-and-Take Approach for Long-term Success

Rather than solely seeking connections, adopt an attitude of reciprocity. Offer value to others through sharing insights or helping them with their challenges. By doing so, you’ll establish trust and create lasting professional relationships based on mutual support.

Focusing on Personal Development Rather Than Solely Seeking Connections

A successful professional network is built upon shared interests and genuine curiosity about others’ career paths. By leveraging the expertise of colleagues, you can develop your own skillset and gain unique perspectives on various aspects of the industry.

Shifting your mindset towards networking is an essential step to achieving success in the professional world. With a clear and strategic plan, you can maximize your engagement with other professionals at events or conferences.

Developing a Strategic Plan for Networking Success

Having a well-thought-out approach is vital to take advantage of professional networking. Start by setting clear goals before attending networking events or conferences. For example, aim to meet specific people in your industry or learn about new job opportunities.

Setting Clear Goals Before Attending Events or Conferences

• Determine what you want to achieve from each event (e.g., making connections with potential mentors).
• Create an action plan outlining how you’ll reach these objectives during the event.
• Prioritize your targets and allocate time accordingly.

Researching Attendees Beforehand to Maximize Engagement

Gather information on attendees ahead of time through different social networking platforms to help facilitate more engaging conversations at events by understanding their career paths, shared interests, and current projects. Additionally:

• Note down key points about individuals you’d like to connect with.
• Prepare relevant questions that demonstrate a genuine interest in their work.
• Familiarize yourself with any recent news related to their company or industry sector.

Developing a strategic plan for networking success is essential in order to maximize the return on investment of attending events and conferences. 

Leveraging existing contacts and cross-networking opportunities can open up unexpected possibilities that would otherwise be overlooked.

Leveraging Existing Contacts and Cross-Networking Opportunities

Think outside the box when searching for new opportunities – utilize existing contacts even if they are not directly involved in your target field. 

By doing this kind of “networking crossover,” you might discover unexpected synergies between different sectors that could ultimately benefit your career or business down the line.

Exploring Connections in Unrelated Industries for Unexpected Opportunities

Don’t limit yourself to only networking within your industry. Connect with people from diverse backgrounds – family, friends, or acquaintances – who may have useful knowledge or links to offer. 

For example, a marketing professional can learn valuable lessons from someone working in finance or technology. You never know what cross-industry networking can bring to your career path.

Attend Industry Events

Industry conferences, seminars, and networking events provide excellent opportunities to meet like-minded professionals. Prepare beforehand by researching the attendees and speakers, and set clear goals for what you want to achieve at each event.

Join Professional Associations

Becoming a member of industry-specific associations allows you to network with professionals in your field on a regular basis. Attend meetings, engage in discussions, and contribute to the community to establish yourself as a valuable member.

Social Networking

Join online groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can connect with people sharing similar interests or job titles across various industries.

Mentorship Programs 

Participate in mentorship programs that allow you to exchange ideas with professionals from diverse backgrounds, fostering an environment of shared learning and growth.

Building and maintaining professional relationships is key to success in any field. Networking events are a great way to meet people with shared interests and potentially discover new job opportunities. 

However, networking isn’t just about making connections for personal gain. It’s also about finding a higher purpose in building relationships that can benefit both parties in the long run.

By leveraging existing contacts and cross-networking opportunities, you can create a strong foundation of professional relationships that will serve as an invaluable asset. With the utilization of digital tools to enhance networking efforts, you can take your network-building capabilities to the next level.

Utilizing Digital Tools to Enhance Networking Efforts

In this era of accelerated activity, digital resources are an indispensable part of extending your business network. By leveraging innovative platforms and technologies, you can connect with industry peers beyond traditional face-to-face meetings.

Engaging with Industry Peers through Innovative Platforms

In today’s digital age, social media platforms like LinkedIn have become powerful networking tools. Create a compelling profile, engage in industry-related conversations, and share valuable content to expand your network.

Consider using chat platforms like Discord, which is popular among small businesses for its versatility and ease of use. Another option is WhatsApp, which allows for short-form video communication that adds a personal touch to networking efforts.

These tools enable dynamic interactions between professionals while also broadening the scope of potential connections.

Expanding Your Network Reach with Technology

Social media apps such as TikTok offer an engaging way to showcase your expertise and interests while connecting with others in your field. By sharing informative content on these platforms, you demonstrate thought leadership and increase visibility within your industry. 

Additionally, consider joining online forums or groups related to your career path where you can engage in discussions about shared interests and job opportunities.

Remember that persistence is key when it comes to building professional relationships. Networking isn’t just about making connections, it’s about building and maintaining relationships with a higher purpose. 

Attend networking events, meet people, and always follow up with those you meet. By utilizing digital tools and building relationships based on shared interests, you can open up new doors and create exciting job opportunities.

Digital tools can significantly increase your networking efforts and expand the reach of your professional network. With persistence and proactivity, it is possible to create meaningful connections with industry peers that will help you advance in your career.

Overcoming Common Networking Challenges

While networking offers tremendous benefits, it’s not without its challenges. Let’s address some common obstacles and explore ways to overcome them.

Networking Anxiety

Networking events can be intimidating, especially for introverts or those who are new to the networking scene. Here are a few strategies to help you overcome networking anxiety:

• Prepare and Practice: Before attending an event, do your research and come prepared with conversation starters and questions. Practice introducing yourself and engaging in small talk to boost your confidence.
• Engage in Conversations: Instead of waiting for others to approach you, take the initiative to start conversations. Remember, most people are open to meeting new people and discussing industry-related topics. Be curious, ask thoughtful questions, and actively listen.
• Make Connections, Not Impressions: Focus on building genuine connections rather than trying to impress everyone you meet. Authenticity goes a long way in networking, so be yourself and let your personality shine.

Building Authentic Connections

The key to successful networking lies in building authentic relationships. Here are some strategies to help you establish genuine connections:

• Find Common Interests: Look for shared interests or experiences that can form the basis of a meaningful connection. Whether it’s a passion for a particular industry trend or a hobby outside of work, finding common ground helps build rapport.
• Offer Assistance: Networking is not just about taking; it’s about giving as well. Offer your expertise, share valuable resources, and provide assistance whenever you can. People appreciate those who are genuinely helpful and willing to contribute.
• Maintain Regular Communication: Networking isn’t a one-time interaction—it requires ongoing effort. Stay in touch with your connections through emails, social media, or occasional meetups. Regular communication helps strengthen relationships and keeps you top of your mind.

Networking Etiquette and Professionalism

In the world of professional networking, etiquette, and professionalism are of utmost importance. Here are some guidelines to make a positive impression:

• Practice Active Listening: Show respect and interest in others by actively listening to what they have to say. Avoid interrupting or dominating conversations. By truly listening, you convey that you value their opinions and perspectives.
• Express Gratitude: When someone extends their help or provides valuable insights, remember to express your gratitude. A simple thank-you note or a genuine appreciation can go a long way in strengthening the relationship.
• Follow-Up: After meeting someone at a networking event or exchanging contact information, always follow up within a reasonable time frame. Send a personalized message, reference something you discussed, and express your interest in staying connected.

Applying Networking Skills in Real-Life Scenarios

Let’s explore how you can apply networking in specific scenarios to create success.

Leveraging Professional Networking for Job Search

When it comes to job searching, professional networking can be a game-changer. Here’s how you can leverage your professional network to boost your job search success:

1. Tap into Your Connections: Reach out to your network and let them know you’re actively seeking new opportunities. They may be aware of hidden job openings or be able to provide valuable insights into the industry or specific companies.
2. Gather Insights and Advice: Connect with professionals in your desired field and seek their advice and insights. Their knowledge and experience can guide you in making informed career decisions and help you navigate your job search more effectively.
3. Seek Referrals: Referrals from trusted contacts can significantly increase your chances of getting hired. Don’t hesitate to ask your network if they know of any open positions or if they can refer you to relevant contacts within their organizations.

Networking for Career Advancement

Networking isn’t just essential for job searches; it plays a crucial role in career advancement and professional growth. Here’s how you can leverage your professional network to take your career to new heights:

1. Gain Mentors: Networking opens doors to mentors who can guide you and provide valuable advice throughout your career journey. Seek out experienced professionals in your field and establish mentoring relationships that can accelerate your growth.
2. Seek Advice and Guidance: Don’t be afraid to reach out to your network for advice on career-related challenges or decisions. Seeking guidance from those who have been there can help you make more informed choices and avoid potential pitfalls.
3. Identify New Opportunities: Your professional network can be a source of valuable information about upcoming opportunities within your industry. Stay connected, be aware of trends and changes, and seize opportunities that align with your career goals.

Professional Networking Tips

• Be Genuine: Authenticity is the key to successful networking. Be yourself, show genuine interest in others, and focus on building authentic connections rather than merely collecting contacts.
• Foster Reciprocity: Networking is a two-way street. Offer your assistance, share valuable resources, and be genuinely helpful to others. By fostering reciprocity, you create a strong foundation for long-term relationships.
• Continuously Learn and Grow: Networking is an ongoing process. Stay updated on industry trends, invest in personal and professional development, and seek opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.
• Be Patient and Persistent: Building a strong professional network takes time and effort. Be patient and persistent in your networking endeavors. Remember that genuine relationships are built over time, and the rewards will come with consistent effort.

Embrace the Power of Professional Networking

Professional networking is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process that requires effort, authenticity, and perseverance.

Now, it’s time to take the next step in your personal and professional development with my free Personal Development Plan Template to outline your goals, strategies, and actionable steps toward becoming a networking powerhouse. 

By investing in your networking skills and cultivating genuine connections, you can thrive in your career and open doors to limitless possibilities.

Download the template and start implementing the strategies and tips we’ve discussed, and watch as your career flourishes.

Growing a small business (or a company of any size) isn’t easy.

Between the challenges of finding customers, increasing your profit, creating a strong marketing strategy on a low budget, and so many more, many small businesses are unable to meet their growth goals for product expansion.

But, as a business owner, you have a variety of options you can choose from to grow your business and increase your profits. And if you’re willing to put in the work, you can successfully carry out these strategies, getting ahead of other businesses and reaching your organizational goals.

Here’s my comprehensive guide to the best business growth strategies that actually work.

What Is A Business Growth Strategy?

A business growth strategy is a plan that states the actions you will take to help your business grow.

Your growth strategy might look like this:

• Increasing market share and revenue
• Acquiring assets
• Improving products or services

Growth strategies explain how you will overcome challenges to expand your business, increase revenue, get new customers, or meet whatever goals you have set for yourself.

Your growth strategy should be more high-level. It’s a top-down outline of the path you’ll take toward your goals. Once your general growth strategy is in place, you can get into the more granular, nitty-gritty details of how you’ll execute your social media marketing or your product development tactics.

When executed correctly, your business growth strategies will help you see success. At the end of the day, business success is measured by customer satisfaction. You need to be able to satisfy your customers so well that they buy from you rather than someone else; they return to buy from you again; and they bring their friends to buy from you, too.

But it isn’t always easy to get there. Growing a small business calls for a lot of elbow grease. If you want to see success with your business growth strategy, you’ll need to prepare yourself to put in the hard work it’s going to take.

How to Choose the Right Strategies For You

There are several growth strategy options outlined in this blog. You don’t have to implement them all at once. In fact, you can’t effectively carry out all of these ideas at the same time.

Instead, you’ll want to select the business growth strategies that align with your current budget, goals, timelines, competition, and desired market share.

It’s a smart idea to think about your long-term business goals before turning to strategy. You need to already know your brand, products, and audience inside and out. Strategy is the piece that comes next.

For example, if your goal is to retain more customers, your strategy might be to connect with your audience via social media.

Or, if your goal is to increase sales, the best strategy could be increasing your number of qualified leads.

Once you know your overarching vision and goals, your strategies will flow from there.

7 Business Growth Strategies to Try

If you own your own business, you have several options you can use to grow your profits. From targeting new customers to promoting existing products to emulating successful companies and more, there are many different growth strategies you can pick from. Here are some of my favorites.

Increase Your Number of Qualified Leads

You can grow your business by increasing the number of qualified leads. A lead is simply anyone who has interacted with your company. A qualified lead, however, is someone who meets the criteria you’ve set for potential customers of your business.

It’s good to focus on qualified leads instead of just leads because qualified leads are more likely to buy. Don’t waste your time with any old lead out there. Instead, define your ideal customer profile so you know which leads to focus on. Create a customer avatar by asking yourself these questions about the customer:

• How old are they?
• Are they male or female?
• Do they have children?
• How much money do they make?
• What are they interested in?
• What are their priorities? 

This will help you refine the process that you use to attract interested prospects to your business.

If 5 out of 10 prospects end up buying from you and you can increase the number of people coming in from 10 to 20, you will increase profits by 50%.

Convert Prospects Into Buyers

You can develop your business by increasing the number of prospects you convert to buyers. This is the measure of the effectiveness of your sales efforts.

If you can increase your conversion rate from one out of 10 to two out of 10, you can double your sales and increase profits.

Improving your ability to sell and convert interested prospects into paying customers is one of the most important things you can do.

So… how do you get there? The first step is understanding your prospect. You should know who they are and what they want. Then, you can segment your audience and meet them at whatever stage of the customer journey they’re in.

Another tip: Use data and insights to help. Consider running A/B tests with emails or other marketing content. See which of the two variations performs better—then take it and run with it.

Identify Your Challenges

If you’ve been running a small business for any amount of time, you already know that making sales is not as easy as it may seem. You might be facing challenges like:

• Building trust
• Finding qualified leads
• Connecting with customers
• Upselling and retaining customers
• Integrating your marketing

You can’t overcome your challenges unless you know what they are. That’s why the first step is identifying the areas where you are struggling.

Look at the key areas in your sales process and seek ways to improve a little bit in each area. A small improvement in each key area can lead to an enormous improvement in overall sales results.

Staying motivated to achieve those sales goals can be challenging, but is vital to developing your business. Your problem-solving ability is a key determinant of how much you can accomplish with your business.

Increase Individual Sales

Another way to grow your business is by increasing the number of individual sales that you make to each customer that you acquire. By increasing the frequency of purchase by 10%, you’ll increase your sales and increase profits by the same percentage.

What are some things that you could do to get your customers to buy more from you, and to buy more frequently? Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and brainstorm some tactics that might help convince them to purchase.

The size of the sale and the profit that you earn from each one impacts your profit margin. You should be continually looking for ways to upsell each customer (persuading them to add something else or something more expensive to the order) so that he or she buys more each time they make a purchase from you.

Grow Your Profit Margin

Profit margin is the gross profit that you make from the sale of each product or service. By continually seeking ways to raise the price or lower the cost of your product or service, without decreasing the quality, you can increase profits per sale.

Every time you raise the price of a product, that extra $$$ will flow straight to your bottom line as pure profit (assuming you hold costs constant). Every time you’re able to reduce expenses, that saved money will also go right to the bottom line (again, assuming you hold sales and revenues constant).

Lower The Cost of Acquiring Customers

My next tip is to lower your cost of acquiring a customer. Customer acquisition cost is the amount of money you spend (on things like marketing) to gain a new customer. By lowering your customer acquisition cost, then, you are lowering the amount you pay to gain each paying customer.

Continually seek creative and innovative ways to improve your advertising and promotions so that it will cost you less to buy each customer. This can dramatically impact and increase the profits of your business.

Use Customer Referrals

Increasing customer referrals can boost your profits. Customers that are referred to your brand are 18% more loyal. They also have a 16% higher lifetime value, and a spending rate that’s 13.2% higher.

Think of ways to get more customer referrals. Could you make your packaging and unboxing shareable? Maybe you could Implement a customer referral program? Or you could consider forming partnerships with other service providers.

Developing one or more proven referral systems for your business can have a positive impact on your sales and your business. Word of mouth is an essential tool for any type of business. Don’t overlook its importance!

Tips to Increase Your Sales

Are you trying to see more organic growth in new markets and your current market? I recommend these marketing efforts to see success with increased revenue and more sales.

Connect With Your Customers

One of the most successful growth strategies you can implement is to simply connect with your target audience. Whether existing customers or new ones, reaching out to the people who are likely to purchase from you is a highly effective way to increase revenue and see repeat business. Companies that work to foster an emotional connection with customers see 85% more sales growth than competitors!

In today’s day and age, there are myriad of ways to connect with different customer segments, even if your customer base is spread all over the world. Reach your target demographic by using the social media platforms where they spend their time. Use social media to:

• Provide valuable information
• Teach or explain something
• Show proof that your product/service actually works (testimonials, photos, before-and-afters, etc)
• Respond to comments and answer questions

Once a customer has purchased your product, put in the work to retain existing customers by maintaining a strong relationship. Ask for their feedback; reach out to them with regular, personalized emails; and consider starting a customer education program that will continue solving their problems long term.

Provide Value

Your job is to provide value in some way, shape, or form to your customers. But sometimes, people need a little nudge in the right direction before they’ll take the leap to buy into whatever it is you’re selling.

Give potential customers a little taste of what you have to offer by handing out a freebie to build trust. This freebie can be a taste of your actual product or service, or it can be something that supplements it. For instance, you might consider offering:

• An ebook
• A webinar
• A consultation
• Behind-the-scenes content or insider information
• A template
• A course
• A free trial
• A discount

Whatever your freebie is, it should be valuable in and of itself. This is how you earn the trust of your leads, get them excited for what’s next, and drive an actual sale.

Present Your Product Effectively

The way you present your product or service has a huge impact on whether or not somebody will make a purchase. Presenting your product effectively will help you increase sales by increasing conversion rates, the rate at which you convert leads into paying customers.

Start by developing your competitive advantage. You need to know:

• What are your competitors’ claims?
• What are the benefits they’re selling?
• How is what you’re offering different?
• Why should people choose you over somebody else?

Once you have your unique angle figured out, your messaging should reflect it. Align your content across all marketing channels by picking one to two key benefits that your product offers, and stating them clearly in all marketing and sales content.

Finally, make sure the price is right. Understand the costs associated with producing the product, and get a feel for what your ideal customer would be willing to pay. You also need to know what your competitors are charging for similar products or services.  

Invest in Yourself

One of the most important business growth strategies is to invest in yourself, your skills, and your abilities. It might sound counterintuitive to pull back and spend money and time on yourself. But it might be the key to reaching your target market–because improving your ability to sell and convert interested prospects into paying customers is one of the most important things you can do to boost sales.

Consider attending sales training to help learn, practice, and hone your skills. I also recommend learning how to negotiate. This will help you improve customer relationships and drive more sales.

You should also create a prospecting strategy. The best salespeople will plan to develop the highest quality and quantity of prospects that can and will buy within a reasonable period of time.

Steps to Grow Your Business FAST

If you’re looking for rapid growth, don’t cut corners! A successful business growth strategy needs to be done right. Here are the steps you can follow to better reach both existing and potential customers.

Improve Your Sales Process

Your sales process is made up of several repeatable steps you take to move a prospect from awareness all the way to purchasing. According to most experts, the sales process has seven steps:

• Prospecting
• Making contact
• Qualifying the lead
• Nurturing the lead
• Presenting your offer
• Overcoming objections
• Closing the sale

The tighter and stronger your sales process is, the more likely you are to make sales. Improve your sales process by considering what your current process looks like. How many prospects make it successfully to the end of the line? After measuring current performance, project the number of sales you’d like to make. Then calculate the changes you’ll need to make to reach that number.

Get Business Coaching

Remember how I said earlier that investing in yourself is key to increasing sales? One way to invest in yourself and your business is by getting business coaching. Having an experienced mentor that you can rely on for help with your business is a hugely valuable resource that cannot be overstated.

Business coaches are typically highly experienced entrepreneurs and business owners. They can help you do things like:

• Define your goals
• Plan business growth strategies
• Execute those strategies and troubleshoot where needed

A business coach will learn about your brand, help you set goals, and guide you as you carry them out. In one study, 22% of companies reported that business coaching increased their profitability.

Reach Your Business Goals,

No, business growth isn’t always easy. But it is 100% possible–and these growth strategies will get you there.

Before you can jump into action, however, you need to set strong business goals. These goals are the foundation on which your strategy should be built.

If you need a hand setting better goals, check out my SMART Goals Cheat Sheet. This free resource explains how to implement SMART goals and walks you through the goal-setting process.

Download the template here to set the kind of goals that will help your business soar!

Successful entrepreneurs have the potential to radically improve the world on multiple fronts.

Not only can they meet economic needs and please customers, but they can also help their employees achieve their full potential.

If you dream of making a difference in this way, you just might make a great entrepreneur. But first, it’s important to know what an entrepreneur is and the qualities that set successful them apart from the rest.

Are You an Entrepreneur?

An entrepreneur takes an idea and makes a business out of it.

Successful entrepreneurs have a passion they want to share with the world and turn it into a business they profit from.

Because you set up your own business instead of working for someone else’s, you take responsibility for all the risks, but you also benefit from all of the rewards.

Most entrepreneurs venture into the unknown. They are innovative and hone important entrepreneurial skills to overcome challenges, fears, and doubts to become fearless, think big, and dream big.

Entrepreneurs set up their businesses with their own money, loans, or by partnering with venture capitalists to fund their dreams.

Aspiring entrepreneurs are often attracted to this venture because they get to build a career that aligns with their interests, talents, skills, passions, or beliefs.

Entrepreneurship allows you to have autonomy and the opportunity to improve your standard of living and quality of life.

You can often set your own schedule, connect with like-minded people, and have many opportunities to grow and learn new things.

Many entrepreneurs have the desire to change lives and a strong sense of adding value to their communities.

11 Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur

Aspiring entrepreneurs may have visions of turning their creative ideas into reality, having their own business or multiple businesses, becoming independently wealthy, or being great philanthropists. Whatever your ultimate goal, if you endeavor to be a successful entrepreneur, you must cultivate certain key traits that will set you above the rest and allow you to achieve real success.

Becoming a successful entrepreneur means developing entrepreneurial skills that help you create long-term success. Consider the following qualities that most successful entrepreneurs possess so you can start living your dream.

Goal Oriented

Successful entrepreneurs regularly define their business goals and come up with detailed plans to achieve them.

This allows them to focus their actions toward a consistent, positive outcome for the company.

A penchant for planning means you will always have a clear sense of what to do next and can better assess individual decisions based on how they fit into your broader strategy.

If you’re not used to setting goals, try setting SMART goals.

Conceptional chalk drawing – SMART Goals

Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer company by being an avid goal-setter. He set both long-term and short-term goals to achieve his ultimate goal of building an enduring company that prioritized people.

Entrepreneurs require vision and a business plan that includes steps and reachable goals to get them from the idea stage to their own businesses that are fully functioning and thriving.

Passionate

One of the most important elements of successful entrepreneurship is loving what you do.

This means not just a love for doing business but also a passion for your specific field.

Not only does loving your work make it easier to carry out your daily duties, but it can make those actions seem like they aren’t even duties at all.

You are likely to spend your free time brushing up your skills or thinking of ways to attract more clients.

Those who love what they do are also more likely to deal with failure constructively, learning how to do better rather than getting discouraged.

To be a successful entrepreneur, know your purpose in life and then strive to achieve it. When you enjoy what you are pursuing, you will have greater resilience to overcome failures that inevitably come and continue striving forward.

Oprah Winfrey has become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in our modern time by cultivating self-awareness. She believes everyone has a calling and that it is vital to take the time to find out who you are and why you are here. And then go for it.

Successful entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, counsels, “Some 80% of your life is spent working. You want to have fun at home; why shouldn’t you have fun at work? You are far more likely to be inspired and have great ideas if you love what you do, and can instill that spirit of fun throughout your company.”

Takes Initiative

Effective entrepreneurs and business leaders spend every moment of their time taking productive actions.

They constantly look for opportunities to enhance their business and act decisively whenever they find one. A very important quality for successful entrepreneurs is the ability to take initiative.

Constant action doesn’t mean deciding without thinking; careful thought, after all, is a necessary action in business.

What it means is remaining productive so that all you do contributes to your goals.

Elon Musk is currently the richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of nearly $152 billion. He has made billions by being extremely decisive. He thinks quickly and takes action without hesitating.

As the co-founder of PayPal, Tesla, and many other business ventures, this famous entrepreneur advises, “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”

Flexible

As important as it is to make plans, commitment to a long-term vision or strategy should not come at the expense of flexibility.

Sooner or later, something will happen that you did not expect, and you will have to respond to it without hesitating.

A successful entrepreneur is able to adjust her plans when they prove impractical, quickly making the changes necessary to deal with any new development.

When you are taking on new opportunities, you will inevitably meet roadblocks and even failures. If you do not, you are not being innovative enough.

Expect difficulties on your road to becoming a successful entrepreneur, and have the flexibility to change course when it means greater customer satisfaction, increased sales, better service, or greater long-term success.

Self-Disciplined

To start and build your own successful business, you need special discipline. Self-discipline is practiced by all successful entrepreneurs and self-made business millionaires as it helps put you on the fast track to accomplishing your goals.

Learn and practice self-discipline early in your entrepreneurial career. The sooner you incorporate self-discipline, the sooner you will create positive outcomes for your business, including higher sales, a higher rate of accomplishing your goals, and keeping life-long customers.

Being self-disciplined means avoiding distractions and staying focused on your goals. Envision your long-term goal and stay laser-focused on it so that all of your actions will lead to your success.

The fourth richest person in the world, Bill Gates, revealed that when he was a student at Harvard University, he had a terrible habit of procrastinating. While it seemed comical to his classmates for him to cram the night before each test and not even attend his classes, he found that this did not translate to success in the business world.

Through self-discipline and additional key entrepreneurial skills, Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen, traded this habit to become one of the most successful people on the planet.

Has Integrity

Honesty is not just a moral virtue; it is also a practical necessity in the business world.

Employees, suppliers, customers, and regulators all have to know that they can trust you.

If they learn that you misrepresented yourself, they will refuse to cooperate with you, dooming your business.

You have to have a reputation for honesty and integrity to be a successful entrepreneur, and there is no reliable way to secure that reputation other than by actually being honest.

Warren Buffet, one of the most successful entrepreneurs and investors with a net worth of $118 billion, says, “Look for three things in a person: intelligence, energy, and integrity. If they don’t have the last one, don’t even bother.”

At the early age of 20, Sir Richard Branson became an entrepreneur by starting a mail-order record business and then running a chain of record stores within two years. Eventually, he founded the Virgin Group and today controls more than 400 companies. He is known as a man with high integrity, valuing people and their unique, creative ideas.

On the topic of building a successful business and integrity, Branson says, “Building a business is not rocket science, it’s about having a great idea and seeing it through with integrity.”

Emotionally Intelligent

Emotional intelligence is indispensable in the business world.

Your own emotions can easily get in the way of decision-making, causing you to view an incorrect choice positively or overlook a correct one.

You must recognize your emotions but not be controlled by them.

It is also important to be sensitive to your employees’ and partners’ emotions, understand how your decisions impact them and strive to keep them happy and healthy. By following these steps, your success as an entrepreneur is virtually assured.

Larry Page, co-founder of search engine and company Google–which is worth nearly $1,200 billion–is known for his emotionally intelligent leadership style. He says, “My job as a leader is to make sure everybody in the company has great opportunities and that they feel they’re having a meaningful impact and are contributing to the good of society.”

Risk Tolerant

To be a successful entrepreneur, you must be willing to take risks.

Without taking risks and venturing into the unknown, you will remain where you are instead of accelerating toward something better.

However, you must understand how to take intelligent risks. You do this by assessing your options, thinking through the possible outcomes, making a plan to meet challenges and deal with a potential worst-case scenario, and taking action.

Andrew Carnegie, founder of the Carnegie Corporation and one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of the early 19th century, risked losing his family’s home by investing in an express delivery company. The risk paid off, leading to multiple subsequent investments and an eventual fortune.

Steve Ballmer took the risk of dropping out of Stanford University to join a new technology company called Microsoft. He eventually became CEO and has a net worth of $78.6 billion.

Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg shares, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”

Persistent

Mark Zuckerberg, a highly successful entrepreneur and billionaire by the age of 23, also understands that entrepreneurs require persistence.

Says Zuckerberg, “Nothing ever goes the way you want it to. People talk about overnight success, and that’s not the way it works. The biggest things that have gotten done in the world tend to be done by people who primarily believe in a mission and are not trying to build a company; by teams, not by individuals; and by people who just don’t give up.”

Successful entrepreneurs see failure as a valuable lesson and opportunity to learn and improve, not as a reason to quit. They keep going through adversity, applying the values of hard work, tenacity, and courage.

Thomas Edison, creator of over 1,000 inventions, including the light bulb, phonograph, and telegraph said, 

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. I’ve never failed at anything, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.”

Patient

Persistence and patience go hand in hand on your journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. You must be willing to wait for success.

This requires having a vision of the future, long-term goals, and a calculated plan to achieve them.

Starting out as an apprentice machinist for the Detroit Dry Dock Company, Henry Ford’s first business, the Detroit Automobile Company, failed in 1899 after just two years of operation. He then founded the Henry Ford Company, which lasted only four months.

Still, he secured funds to start the Ford Motor Company two years after that, which made him the leading car manufacturer in America and a company that is still successful 120 years later, with a net worth of over $125 billion.

Patience and persistence can transform your ideas, passion, and dreams into life-changing success.

Optimistic

Finally, you must be a positive thinker to succeed as an entrepreneur.

A negative attitude, pessimism, and doubt will get you nowhere, but optimism creates new opportunities and gives you the fuel to propel you to success.

See the big picture and the possibilities the future holds.

An optimistic person always looks on the bright side of a challenging situation and knows that success is an inevitable outcome in the future by applying the right principles.

Steve Wozniak, a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple, is famous for his optimistic attitude. What he coins as his “original formula” is “Happiness = Smiles – Frowns.”

Being optimistic gives you the resilience you need to become a successful entrepreneur.

Become a Successful Entrepreneur

Is the entrepreneurial spirit inside you calling? 

Start developing or improving these entrepreneurial skills and take the next step toward building a successful business that you are passionate about. 

On your way, add one more vital tool to your entrepreneurial toolkit by downloading my free guide, Everyone is a Salesperson. It will help you hone the influential skills you need to have a successful business.

When was the last time you focused on networking efforts?

If you can’t remember, or if it’s been a long time, this is something you need to focus on incorporating into your life. Many people tend to think they hate networking. But really, networking isn’t so bad. And the results it can bring about in your career are absolutely worth it.

Here’s how to network the right way–the way that helps you get more connections, more knowledge, and more growth in your professional career.

What Is Networking?

You probably already know what networking is. But just in case: Networking can be defined as interacting with other people to exchange ideas and information, with the goal of professional growth. It’s not all about self-promotion. There should be mutual benefits involved.

Usually, networking involves meeting new people. Sometimes it happens face-to-face at a happy hour or conference event. Other times, it happens screen-to-screen via a webinar or a LinkedIn group.

Networking often happens among people in the same industry–people who share a profession or interests. It can take place in casual settings or more formal ones. The key is that you’re always looking for opportunities to expand your professional network.

If the idea of networking and creating professional relationships makes you cringe, you aren’t alone! Lots of people shrink away from networking events. However, it’s essential to look for networking opportunities–whether you’re in the market for a new job or not.

The Importance of Networking For Professional Growth

In today’s world, networking is more important than ever. Think about it: The industry you choose to work in, the position you land, and the key steps in your career are all influenced by other people. And you influence others in their career journeys, too. To succeed, we all have to rely on each other–and that’s where the importance of networking comes in.

The more people you network with, the more likely you’ll know people who can help you out at every stage in life. You’ll be able to get solid advice and knock on doors that may not have been an opportunity otherwise.

Bottom line: Networking is a must. You never know who you’re going to meet, what you’re going to discover about yourself, or what you want to do. You just might find a new passion.

Meeting New People Creates New Opportunities

When you’re looking to grow, new people can help connect you to new opportunities. But when it comes to networking, not just anyone will do. Focus on connecting with people who can help you get where you want to go.

This might mean networking with people who are a few steps ahead of you in their careers. They can mentor and guide you along the way. People who are ahead of you will push you to be better.

You should also network with peers so you can create a strong group of friends to walk through life together. It’s healthy to spend time with people who are experiencing the same things you are.

Look for people who are ambitious, people who are willing to be helpful, and people who are going somewhere. These are the type of people who will help you go somewhere, too. Whether within your current job or outside of it, make sure you’re networking with the right kind of people who will help your professional growth.

Growth Comes From Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Have a positive mindset as you get started with networking. The process might feel intimidating, but stay positive–look for solutions and expect to find them. People with positive attitudes are more pleasant to be around. The more cheerful you are, the more people will flock to you!

Fear is a negative emotion. It can prevent you from trying new things (like attending networking events). Negative thoughts stop us from growing and advancing in life. As you begin your networking journey, focus on positive self-talk instead.

For example, instead of thinking, “I don’t want to network; I’ve never done that before,” instead think, “I’m going to try networking because I could learn something new.” This positive self-talk is a way to “train your brain” into having a more positive outlook.

Another way to be successful with networking is to think about what “success” in this area will look like for you. Do you want to attend a certain number of networking events? Meet a certain number of people? Gain an invitation to interview for a job?

Networking looks different for everyone. Maybe you aren’t looking for a new job right now. That’s completely okay. But you never know when your situation might change, and you may be relying on the kindness of those new contacts to help you find a new position.

Beyond that, networking is simply a great way to help you grow. Growth comes from getting out of your comfort zone–and often, that’s what networking requires.

Once you’ve defined what networking success means for you, you will be able to make progress on meeting that goal. Believe in yourself and your abilities–and don’t forget to have fun! Networking isn’t all bad. It can be a nice change of pace to get out of the office and see new faces. Be willing to push and challenge yourself to see what different networking scenarios can teach you.

10 Networking Statistics You Need to Know

Still not convinced of the benefits of expanding your network? Check out these statistics proving why you should start networking ASAP (and covering some obstacles that we’ll discuss later on):

1. 85% of jobs are filled through networking. —HubSpot
2. 70% of people found a job through connections in a company. —Review42
3. Business executives disclosed they would lose 28% of their business if they stopped networking. —NovoResume
4. 49% of people who don’t maintain contact with their network said they don’t have enough time for networking. —Zippia
5. 70% of small business owners do their networking online. —Fit Small Business
6. 70% of jobs are not advertised, making networking crucial. —FinancesOnline
7. 80% of professionals consider professional networking to be important for career success. —LinkedIn
8. Over 35% of LinkedIn users said casual conversations on LinkedIn Messages led to new opportunities. —GoRemotely
9. Getting co-workers to network reduces the likelihood of turnover by 140%. —TeamStage
10. 38% of professionals think networking is most active in restaurants. —WritersBlockLive

5 Ways to Network Like A Pro

From social media to networking events to volunteering for a good cause, there are plenty of ways you can start networking to meet new people, build relationships, and advance your professional career. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at these five options to help you accelerate your professional success.

Social Media

If you don’t have a lot of time, networking via social media could be a great fit for you. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social platforms provide an easy way to find job openings or exchange information with people all over the world.

The simplest way to start networking on social media is to send a brief message to someone new–maybe Facebook friends, or a LinkedIn profile that catches your eye.

After you’ve engaged with someone’s posts over time, send a direct message to your new contact, keeping things warm and friendly yet still professional and polite.

Demonstrate how connecting could be beneficial for you both — you want something from them, but what do you have to offer to help make the connection more genuine and valuable?

When trying to network, though, it’s absolutely essential for your message to be specific and personalized–no copy and pasting here. Remember, you want to come across as authentic in order to foster a real and meaningful relationship.

You should also interact with other peoples’ posts as well as sharing original content of your own. This can help you connect with people who have common interests, and your posts will also position you as a professional expert in your field.

Endorse your LinkedIn contacts and take every opportunity you get to say something good about others.

Follow leaders and influencers in your field to stay up to date on what’s happening. You can also follow a marketing guru or hiring manager to expand your network if you’re planning to look for a new job soon.

A few more tips to keep in mind as you network:

• Be willing to reach out to all kinds of people online, including people who are at your level as well as executives.
• Ask for advice and then be willing to pay it forward, helping others solve problems too.

Networking Events

In the age of social media, it might seem appealing to take the easy route and focus solely on networking online. But in-person events are important, too.

Take a look at this information from Forbes, based on a study showing the benefits of in-person networking vs. networking online:

• Building stronger, more meaningful business relationships (85%)
• Better ability to read body language and facial expressions (77%)
• Ability to bond with co-workers/clients and more social interaction (75%)
• Allows for more complex strategic thinking (49%)
• Better environment for tough, timely decision-making (44%)
• Less opportunity for unnecessary distractions (40%)
• Leads to higher-quality decision-making (39%)
• Easier to focus (38%)
• Fewer disruptions and delays (23%)

95% of people agree that better business relationships are built through face-to-face meetings. So find a networking event near you and fake it until you make it. Events where you can start networking may include:

• Job fairs
• Trade shows
• Conferences
• Seminars
• Breakfast or lunch
• Roundtable discussions

Ask your friends and colleagues if they have any networking events to recommend. You can also use websites like Eventbrite or Meetup to find a networking event.

If you’re traveling for work or for vacation, research the city you’ll be visiting to see if there are any local networking events you could attend while in town.

Subscribe to relevant industry email newsletters and social media pages. They may include a roundup of networking events. Local social media sites could also be a good resource.

In the next section of this blog post, we’ll cover some tips to help you network successfully once you arrive at a networking event.

Happy Hours

Does the idea of a formal networking event freak you out? Find a more casual event that’s geared toward mingling and informal conversations. Happy hours, for example, are more laid-back events that cater to a relaxed atmosphere.

You’ll typically find happy hours held in large cities in the late afternoon, or even virtually.

Adjust your daytime outfit so you still look professional, but a little more casual. While these events are a more casual way to make new connections, you should still keep things professional; treat higher-ups with respect and keep the conversation focused on work, your skills and trying to build a professional relationship with new people.

While sharing personal stories about your life and interests outside of work is also important, when networking, you want to have a primary focus on your professional life.

It should also go without saying, that if you’re at an event or meetup at a restaurant or bar, to treat servers with respect and tip well. Do this, first and foremost, because they’re people too, but also to give a good impression to any potential future bosses.

Pro tip: Make sure you don’t drink too much. The last thing you want is to get tipsy at a professional event. Happy hour events geared for networking often have non-alcoholic options available as well for those who prefer not to drink.

Mentorship

Finding a mentor is a good way to be successful with networking and making new connections. There are numerous benefits to having a mentor. You can receive encouragement, feedback, and personalized advice on how to get where you want to go. And of course, you can grow your network by leaps and bounds.

Your mentor can introduce you to people you need to know in their own network. Working with a mentor will increase your overall visibility. Your mentor will know the best networking events to attend and will provide guidance on what to say or do when you get there.

How can you find a mentor? Reach out to someone you admire. Tell them what you like about their work, and explain what you want to learn from them. Get to know your mentor, talking about lighthearted personal topics as well as asking career-focused questions.

Follow up after your first meeting and ask if you can meet again. Make sure to say thank you–and ask if you can help them with anything, too.

Volunteering Organizations

Another method of building relationships is to volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about. Networking through volunteering might not be your first thought–but it’s an effective way to make valuable connections, while benefiting the cause you’re working for, too.

Find a nonprofit that aligns with your passions and skills and volunteer your expertise. Maybe you’re a lifelong animal lover, and you work as a graphic designer. Your local Humane Society might love your help creating adorable graphics for their social media, or flyers to put up around town.

Once you’ve found a place to volunteer, get to know everyone you can–staff members, fellow volunteers, donors, and more. Start conversations and share about what you do currently and what you’d like to do in the future.

You don’t have to spend a lot of time volunteering. Even one Saturday afternoon a month can result in some quality connections that might hold benefits down the road.

3 Must-Know Networking Tips

You’ve made it to the networking event–here are some tips to help you make the most of it.

Bring Business Cards

Always remember to bring your business cards to a networking event. You can get business cards made online with an affordable service like Vistaprint. Include the following information:

• Your company’s logo
• Your name and title
• Your email address
• Your phone number
• Your website (optional)
• Your social media handles (optional)
• Your skills and specialties (optional)

Giving someone your business card doesn’t have to be awkward–simply say, “Hey, let’s remember to exchange contact info before we leave.” When someone goes home with your business card, they’ll be much more likely to remember meeting you. And when you have someone else’s business card, it will be easy to send them a message to follow up.

In today’s digital age, business cards can also be virtual. You can use a QR code generator to allow others to scan a virtual code on your phone while networking to your contact information.

Prepare an Elevator Pitch

In the context of networking, an elevator pitch briefly describes who you are in a professional capacity. It should be about 30 seconds to a minute long. This pitch will be your response when someone asks, “What do you do?” Make sure your elevator pitch covers things like your career history, any special skills, and what you want to do next. For example:

“My name is John Doe and I currently work as the IT specialist at ABC Company, where I keep all of our hardware running smoothly. I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and I really enjoy anything that has to do with cybersecurity. I’m interested in learning more about jobs available in that field.”

You can use your elevator pitch both in-person and online. With a few tweaks, it may be a good fit for your LinkedIn description or a job application. If you’re presenting your elevator pitch in person, however, make sure it doesn’t sound like a canned response. You don’t want people to know that you memorized it ahead of time!

Use Body Language

Your body language is an important consideration when you attend a networking event. You want to come across as warm, friendly, and cheerful–but professional, too.

Accomplish this by starting out with a strong handshake and smile. Make eye contact with people as they talk. Stand with your legs about shoulder-width apart to seem balanced and confident.

Another helpful networking tip is to be conscious of your facial expressions. Smile and be engaged, and whatever you do, don’t yawn! You might feel a little silly, but you can practice at home in the mirror.

Remember, networking isn’t all about you. It should be mutually beneficial. Don’t take up too much time talking about yourself; let other people speak, too. Then use your body language to demonstrate that you’re listening to their industry knowledge and what they have to say.

Further Your Career

Networking is one of the best ways to foster growth and further your career. Looking for more ways to advance your career? Check out my Personal Development Plan Template. This template walks you through how to achieve your goals and optimize your success. Click here to get the template and become more successful than ever before!

Everyone dreams of having a highly successful career that they enjoy and that provides them with the successful life they desire. Far too many of us, though, end up settling short when it comes to career success, working jobs we don’t enjoy for less money than we’d like to have.

The good news is that having a successful career is something that is largely under your own control.

The key is knowing what you have a passion for and pursuing it. It is also in developing habits and skills that make you more effective at work and home and having a positive outlook, regardless of what stage you are in your journey toward success at work.

To start enjoying career success, follow these 12 tips on how to be successful at work.

1. Choose Your Job Wisely

The first and by far the most important step to achieving career success is choosing your occupation.

Choosing an occupation that will bring you success, though, comes down to how you define success.

Do you want a career that allows you to travel or a steady job that lets you settle into a pleasant routine?

Do you want a career that makes lots of money, or is money only a secondary concern?

Once you define your priorities and what will bring you true personal satisfaction, you can mold your career around them.

Of course, the most important priority is that you choose a career that you enjoy. It is easy to be happy in a career when you are doing something you are passionate about.

Strategies to finding your passion include pinpointing what your core values are, naming the things you’ve always wanted to do if money were not an issue, and listing the times when you are happiest and feel most fulfilled.

Not only does an enjoyable career make your entire existence more enjoyable, but it also makes you more likely to succeed since people always tend to do better at the things which they enjoy.

Simply put, finding success at work means doing what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

2. Be a Lifelong Learner

Continuous learning is key to progression and success.

When you are determined to learn new things, your potential for growth increases.

Create a mindset to try something new on a regular basis in both your personal and professional life. New skills bring you new opportunities.

You might take up a new hobby, try an activity you have always wanted to but have not made time for, or challenge yourself with something that is intimidating or even something you are afraid of.

Being a lifelong learner can be as simple as trying new food, driving a different route to work, or touring a virtual museum.

At work, look to your boss or supervisors and those whose career trajectory you wish to emulate for career advice. Seek out opportunities for training within your field. Look for certifications that can help you advance in your career and schedule time to earn them.

Find courses, professional certificates, and micro-credential programs that you can take online to enhance your skillset. Choose those that will open up opportunities for you in your current career, or use these learning opportunities to gauge what you are most interested in for a career change.

Avoid feeling like you are stuck in your job or career.

Being or feeling stuck is almost always a state of mind, a predicament of a person’s own making.

No matter where you are in your career, you always have the power to make career changes.

Many times, those changes may be frightening or difficult, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be beneficial.

At all points in your career, you need to adopt a mindset of continuous learning and improvement.

Never stop working to advance both yourself and your career, and never give in to the fallacy that you are stuck where you’re at.

3. Understand Your Job Expectations

When you know what your employer is looking for, you will have a clear picture of how to be successful at work. 

It is most helpful when your employer set expectations and conducts regular performance reviews, but you can also be proactive in understanding what is expected of you at work.

Begin with the job description of your current job. Most companies post this online or in your employee records.

Pay attention to the key skills that are listed to qualify for the job. Do you have all of them? How can you improve in each one?

Read through all the things the job description lists as responsibilities. Ensure you are working hard to be productive and achieve each one.

Understand what it takes to stay up to date in your role as well as advance to a new role, department, job, or company. Successful people are always moving forward.

Learn the mission and goals of the organization you work for. Give your full attention to how you can best contribute to these goals and help the business achieve its mission. Be aware that if these do not align with your own values and career trajectory, it is likely time to seek out a new job.

Understand the workplace culture of the organization you work for. Workplace culture is defined by the values and belief systems of your employers as well as your co-workers.

The culture at your job might focus on friendliness, diversity, collaboration, productivity, accountability, motivation, clear communication, or challenging its employees, for example.

When you understand the culture at your place of business, you know what it takes to work as a team with your colleagues to be successful individually and collectively.

4. Be a Team Player

Organizations are most successful when colleagues work as a team. By combining your skills and strengths with those of your co-workers, you will find more success individually and collectively.

Respect others on your team and champion their strengths and successes. Realize that you will achieve more by working in tandem with your workmates than competing with them. Solve problems together and refrain from blaming or shifting your share of the workload onto others.

Understand your role and fulfill your duties and responsibilities. Prioritize your tasks so the most important things get done first. Often, good time management skills include completing those tasks that someone is waiting for you to do before they can complete the next step of a project or process.

If you serve in a management role, adopt good leadership skills. A key skill of every good leader is to delegate tasks. Realize that you are not the only person who can solve problems. When you delegate tasks, you allow other employees to grow their skills and improve their performance.

Know the goals of your team and collaborate to achieve them and find solutions together.

Have a positive attitude, especially when you and your colleagues are faced with challenges. Positive thinking in the workplace will lower the stress level, increase productivity, and help everyone succeed.

Practice good communication skills. Let both your words and body language convey confidence in yourself as well as the skills of your colleagues. Active listening and giving and receiving feedback are key components of effective communication.

Be a problem solver and work together to find the solutions that will increase performance at the office.

5. Take Ownership of Everything You Do

If you want to succeed in your career, you have to take ownership of both your triumphs and your failures.

Celebrate your triumphs, analyze them, and learn how you can emulate them and build on them in the future.

You need to take ownership of your failures as well, accepting responsibility for them without letting them drag you down and learning everything that you can from the mistakes you make.

Many times, failure is a much more effective teacher than success, and most if not all of the world’s most successful people would not be where they are today if they did not accept their mistakes and learn from them.

6. Develop Leadership Skills

Adopting good leadership skills will help you be successful at work.

Key characteristics of good leaders include integrity, courage, humility, cooperation, honesty, and good communication.

Improve your ability to focus. This means focusing on the goals of the organization, employers, department, or team as well as your own goals.

Take the initiative to come up with new ideas that will benefit the company or find solutions that will make teams more productive.

Expand your emotional intelligence, which is your ability to manage and understand your own emotions as well as be aware of and have respect for the emotions of others.

Essential components of emotional intelligence are empathy, self-motivation, self-awareness, social skills, and self-regulation.

As a leader, you should assert yourself by using your own voice while instilling confidence in others by validating their ideas and contributions.

Understand the ability each person has to contribute to the organization. Bring out the best in each of your employees or team members by capitalizing on their strengths and giving them opportunities to improve skills they may be lacking.

7. Keep a Positive Attitude

When you have a positive attitude, positive results will come.

Pessimism, on the other hand, is the enemy of success.

Pessimism is able to turn manageable challenges into ones that are insurmountable, while optimism is able to make every challenge one that you are able to overcome.

Start trying to catch yourself when you are thinking negative thoughts or displaying a pessimistic attitude toward some aspect of your career and replace them instead with a positive and optimistic outlook.

Others around you will emulate your positive thinking as well, making the workplace a much more enjoyable and profitable environment for everyone.

In other words, always look on the bright side and have a positive attitude and the future of your career will be brighter as well.

8. Maintain Work-Life Balance

While it is important to put forth your best effort in your job to have success in the workplace, overworking leads to stress and burnout, which are counterproductive to your desire for success.

It is not always about how much work you do but the quality of work you produce. If you find your job is dominating your personal life, it is time to adopt a new system and way of thinking.

Start by developing interests outside of work. Start a fitness routine, seek out social events, or look for new opportunities to learn more about the things you are interested in that are not associated with your job.

Take time for recreation. It is just as important to play as it is to work and rest. Recreation allows your mind to unplug and your body to refresh. In turn, you will be able to be more productive and happier in the workplace.

Keep your personal life separate from your work life. At the end of the day, leave your work at the office — which includes refraining from thinking about and talking about the workplace when you are at home.

Striking an effective work-life balance is especially important for people who work from home. When your office doubles as your house or apartment, it takes concentrated effort to clock out at a certain time and let yourself be off duty both physically and mentally.

Tips for working from home include having a dedicated workspace and structuring your workday as you would if you were in the office.

Be flexible and allow for important interruptions from family members, but also let your housemates know what your schedule is to minimize distractions.

9. Set Goals for Yourself

One of the most beneficial things a person can do for their career is to set goals for themselves.

A set of well-thought-out goals can serve as a roadmap to success, providing you with objectives to meet along the way as you work towards wherever you want to be in your career.

Besides ensuring that you do what it takes to meet the goals that you set for yourself, the most important part of setting goals is making sure the goals you set are beneficial.

A beneficial goal is one that is challenging without being unattainable and one that will improve you and your career when you meet it.

If you can set both short-term and long-term goals that meet these criteria, it will certainly help you reach the end goal you have for your career – whatever that end goal may be.

10. Master Time Management

Success tips for work include learning how to manage your time effectively.

Some of the best advice for time management is to plan out your workday either at the end of your current workday or first thing in the morning when you arrive at work. Detail when to schedule in certain duties, answer emails, make phone calls, and so on.

Prioritize tasks so that the most important things get done first. I call this eating that frog: taking on your biggest, most important, and sometimes least desirable task first, then the rest of your day will be more productive.

You should also apply the Pareto principle to prioritizing your tasks, which is a concept that asserts roughly 20 percent of your efforts account for 80 percent of your success.

So make sure your 20 percent is focused on the most important tasks that will keep you on a course toward your goals.

When you have major projects to complete, break large milestones down into smaller, more manageable tasks with clear deadlines.

Learn the time management skills you need to meet your deadlines. Helpful tips include minimizing distractions and rewarding yourself for your successes. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed and reach out to your employers or boss for answers to questions that will help you succeed.

One of my favorite time management tips is to learn to say no.

For example, if other employees often ask you to help them complete their tasks, have the confidence to tell them you will help when you are finished with your own duties. If your boss repeatedly piles on extra responsibilities, tell them you can be more useful to the company if you are allowed the time needed to focus your attention on the most important obligations.

Seek Out and Learn From Feedback

When feedback is anything less than positive, it can often be a tough pill to swallow.

However, asking for and truly listening to feedback is one of the quickest ways to hone your skills and progress in your career.

No matter where you are in your career, there are always going to be people who have a unique perspective to offer or who may know more about a particular topic than you.

Ask for constructive criticism from your boss, company executives, and colleagues.

Listening to their feedback and career advice regarding your work, honestly evaluating whether what they are saying is true and useful, and putting what you learn into practice is sure to help you grow in your chosen career.

If your boss does not already conduct performance reviews, one idea is to ask for them. Use these reviews to identify the skills you need to develop and get the training you need to do so.

Be your own boss too and evaluate yourself. The skills you need to accomplish this are setting clear and realistic goals, establishing timelines to reach them, and evaluating your progress. Adjust your goals when needed and seek out ways to improve your skills so you can be successful.

12. Go the Extra Mile

Finally, one of the most important skills you can gain for success at work is putting in the extra effort needed to make good things happen in the workplace.

Employees who are not afraid of working hard develop the skills they need to become leaders within a company. Instead of being an employee who has a job, you can strive to be the boss who runs or owns the company.

The idea is to see the big picture. By paying attention to the goals your company has, you will be able to anticipate needs, notice trends that will bring new developments, and offer new ideas that can catapult both you and your organization to success.

When needed, add new tasks to your duties that will streamline your progress. Instead of waiting for your boss to assign new tasks to you, take initiative. This is one of the most important skills employees can develop to transition to a boss mentality.

Set Yourself Up for Success at Work

By applying these twelve tips for success at work, you will increase your confidence, improve your skills, and achieve your goals not just at work but in life. To help you get started, use my 14-Step Goal Setting Guide to achieve success faster than you’ve thought possible.