Lately I’ve been consulted by people looking to improve their professional profiles in hopes of attracting recruiters and landing new jobs, by small businesses looking to build awareness to delight their target audiences, and by leaders of global companies hoping to communicate their ethical values to diverse employees. At their core, people want to invite success. They recognize that success requires them to do things differently.

Building credibility, goodwill and engagement begins with honest self-assessment, and follows with shifting from thoughts and actions that aren’t helping to make success achievable.

Here are some great places to start:

1. Overlooking negative thoughts: thoughts become actions, and actions lead to results. Negative thoughts rarely lead to positive results. Let them go.
2. Trying to be perfect: perfection is an illusion created only in your mind. Only you know what a perfect rendition of your ideas look like – good ideas are often trapped in (y)our pursuit of elusive perfection. Know that you’re good enough, and your brilliance is a contribution towards a changed world.
3. Trying to do it alone: closely related to perfection, false independence is an attempt at having control. Focus on what’s more important – commit to having your vision work out rather than holding on to *how* it works out. Invite others to contribute and be open to a pleasantly surprising outcome.
4. People pleasing: especially in times of change, it’s impossible, or at least very difficult to please everyone at all times. Consider the path that serves the greater good, lead with that, and be compassionate with those who are inconvenienced along the way.
5. Needing approval: get a piece of paper measured 1”x1”. Including your own, write as many names that may fit on the paper of people whose approval matter. Act accordingly.
6. Avoiding risk: we must change, if we are to improve. We must risk the familiarity and comfort of today, if we expect a brighter tomorrow. Smart risks result in either a positive outcome, or a lesson learned – not a painful consequence. Always take the smart risk, when great rewards hang in the balance.
7. Playing small: give yourself permission to dream bigger.
8. Thinking you can’t make a difference: there are no coincidences in the world. We make choices every day that impact our lives and the lives of others in varying ways. You matter. Every choice you make, and how you show up in every interaction has the power to influence history.
9. Spending time with negative people: pay attention to how you feel after engaging with people. Do you feel drained? Energized? Sometimes we can choose who to spend time with. In the event that it’s a loved one leaving a negative effect, you owe it to yourself to have a critical conversation – for the sake of the relationship, preserving your positive headspace (and precious time) that births success.
10. Comparing yourself with others: the idiom “stay in your lane” predates us for a reason.
11. “Me-focused” agenda: examine your motives. Are you more motivated by contribution or is it all about you? Purpose is where your passion serves people. You’ll find success when you focus on people-impact, and help solve *their* problems in a mindful way.
12. Needing to be right: even a stopped clock is right twice a day. A normally unreliable person or instrument can occasionally provide correct information, even if it’s by accident. The reverse is true. Accept that you may not always know the right answer. It’s okay to admit a wrong, to accept new truths, and to change a once-held opinion.

There’s a popular comic book that’s aptly titled, “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There”, and without reading it, you can imagine the lesson is that successful people become even more successful by trying new approaches to challenges and opportunities in life. I’m interested to hear about your journey, and how you apply new lessons every day!

In case you’ve made it this far and are curious about which companies I’ve been creating content for when I’m not managing organizational change – check out blockchain-based wealth capital builder Winsusu, Valley Stream’s newest women owned coffee shop Standard Pour LI, and global brand communications agency, INVNT.