10 Tough-Love Tips to Help you Succeed in 2015

I hate cliche titles like this. But hey, there’s no other way to put it. I notice that success factors change every year. What is cool one year is not so another year. I believe this year its been all about the following:

  1. Master the art of reading people: People around you are always giving out tiny signals and if you are able to read their body/word language you will learn to predict what they are going to do before they actually do it.
  2. Don’t waste time trying to explain problems, fix it instead without fuss or fanfare. People (including your boss) appreciate that most. In the time poor society that we live in, every second counts and a second spent talking rather than doing is a second wasted.
  3. Sometimes being cocky is okay – If you’re good at what you do, there’s no reason why you can’t brag about it sometimes; but do it only in front of close friends and family. Strangers will only think you are tool.
  4. Stay ahead of your competition. Keep learning the landscape in your industry.
  5. Appearances are important – Look and feel your best. Understand that the way you look has a direct impact on the way others perceive you. First impressions are everything and the way you present yourself to a prospective employer or client has everything to do with whether or not they choose you. And its not just about the threads, its about your energy level. So hit the pavement, hit the gym or hit a punching bag. Fitness is king. So is a ‘clean’ diet.
  6. Performance is not a popularity contest. Your job is to get results for your boss or client. Their success is your success.
  7. Be a risk taker – If you never take any chances, I guarantee you will have a dull, boring life.
  8. Try to win big. If you frame your mind in a way that always looks to minimize your losses, you’re never going to make it big in life.
  9. Take control of and own your responsibilities – ‘nuff said.
  10. No one cares about excuses and your personal situation. You are hired for a specific reason, and if you can’t produce results, know that there will be someone else out there who will. Business is all about the bottom line, so if you are unable to produce, then it’s best you look for another career.