When we start a career, we all have aspirations of becoming the best in the field we choose. As we take on our career however, we find that this is an extraordinarily difficult tasks to accomplish because there are so many others with the same goal. If we managed to continue to want to be the best we quickly begin to realize that it will take more than just natural talent, it will require a laundry list of strategies and processes that collectively can take you to the head of your field.
The best place to learn these processes and strategies is from those who are leaders in their fields. For example, Miami based Patrick Dwyer Merrill Lynch executive who has become a leader in his field, can offer great insight into how to reach the top and stay there. He offers the following advice for anyone seeking to improve their business skills and lead the pack.
Constantly Test Your Limits
If you ask most people who are leaders in their fields if they felt that they had the capacity to lead, they might all say yes. However if you asked each of them if they ever dreamed of reaching the amount of output that they have achieved, most would say no. Reaching your highest level of success will often require that you set goals that test your limits. This will often require that you make superhuman efforts. Achieving this level of effectiveness means that you must make sacrifices.
These will include long hours working toward your goal as opposed to taking leisure time with your friends. It might also mean continuously studying ways to become an expert in your field of choice. Finally it might require that you put aside your comfort zone and learn to become comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Although it sounds like a scary proposition, taking it on, can propel you to places you never thought you could reach.
Play and Win
Something that is often overlooked in business is to have fun while you’re working. If you are focused on Extreme business success, chances are that most of your time is being spent in your office or working. It is important that although you stay very focused on your goals, that you also enjoy your work. Find times where you can simply relax and have some enjoyment during your days. Learn to lighten up and not be so serious all the time. You will find that your demeanor is contagious and everyone on your team will be more relaxed and perform better.
Realize that Greatness Takes Time
We have all heard the stories about people who start a business and they almost immediately reach the top. It seems like they have hit upon a magic formula or they were destined to be the one everyone envies. The reality is that if you follow the career of many of those who rise very quickly, the odds are they will not remain successful for long. The simple reason is that the process of becoming consistently successful is one where you learn important things about how to act and operate.
Some of these lessons are learned very quickly and others take time. When someone becomes successful quickly they miss out on valuable skills and lessons that both toughen them and prepare them for strong headwinds that always occur at some point in business. So be prepared to take your time to become a leader in your field. With the proper amount of time invested you will be ready to maintain your position no matter the environment of the competition.