As a business growth strategist which has advised thousands of businesses over the last 20 years, I am fascinated at what drives business people to success. I was so fascinated that I began to make a list. A few years ago I read a book by Brendan Nichols which stated a similar list as mine but his list was more refined so I now use his.
I call the list ‘Things That Make Us Believe We Are Successful’ and I use this often in Strategy Planning Days to work out what makes my clients tick.
So what makes us believe we are successful? Well I think there are about 12 main onesand I have listed 11 of the 12 below:
1. Building an Empire – if you do this you think you are successful
2. Contribute to Society or Other People – ie help them and assist in bettering other people’s lives
3. Creating new products or services
4. Becoming famous – eg being in the newspaper or on television
5. Achieving something
6. Knowing that you have done a good job
7. Being very busy – if you are then you think you are successful
8. Receiving Praise – from other people
9. Pursuit ofexcellence – always trying to improve
10. Being recognised – similar to Praise
11. Beating the competition.
At this point I ask my clients to list their top three from the above or to add any other item they can think of which is not on the list above.
So what would your top three list look like? Write it down now.
About 80% of my clients will choose from the above list. Of the remainder 5% will have their own very specific success driver and the remaining 15% will add the words ‘Make Money.’
The reality is that if your top three does not include ‘Make Money’ then the chances are you will not make any money because you do not believe you are successful if you make money.
I know that sounds insane but that is what may happen. Your business might be successful but the whole point about being in business is to make money.
It happened to me a number of years ago. I went through a phase where I started concentrating on other things and money become less important. Guess what? My business was seen as being successful but my income went down. Now it is back in my top three I am making money again. I know this works from experience.
The good news is that you can change your list at any time. So start concentrating on the money and watch it roll in!
Hitesh Mohalal is Australia’s #1 Business Growth Strategist, and can help you increase your profits by up to 2000% whilst cutting your work hours in half.
Give us a call on 0731619548 to organise an obligation free, confidential discussion with Hitesh.
