How to be insanely successful: A step by step guide

It is a race that everybody wants to win. Sometimes, without having prepared or defined specific goals. Most people participate simply because others are. Is crossing that finish line the ultimate objective or will you be happy outdoing your own previous personal best?

Oh wait, you don’t even know your previous best. You are running just for the sake of it. You have no idea how to be insanely successful. You want it, regardless.

And that is what you are doing in life. You want to be successful. At a job, average or extraordinary. You like it insane. The achievements need to be colossal.

But:

The problem is you don’t know what success means to you.

The biggest mistake you might make is equating insane success to becoming filthy rich. Or owning a villa. I am sorry this won’t do any good for you.

You have to think of your success as something much more than mere materialistic possessions! It’s not the same as owning 2 sedans or a Mercedes standing in your garage. It is not about a buttload of cash to party hard each day.

You’re successful when you are rich from the inside, living a life you want. Following are some hacks to help you become insanely successful in any field of your choice.

What is success for you?

The first step towards success is defining success. Does it include fame, money, cars, luxuries? Don’t ask for your granpa’s opinion. What your friend says about it also does not matter. It is about what you visualize for yourself in that ideal day – not just what you will be wearing, but what intangible thing you have become.

Spend some time to find out what fuels you from the inside and start investing in experiences that help you achieve that success.

The thing is, you will be headed upstream. Most of the skills you visualize may not be listed in your CV. It will all be a sad story. Be calm and confident, anyway.

You can reach those standards you have set for yourselves. Make sure that the desire for achieving your success is so strong that you are ready to work your ass off – day in and day out, towards it.

Set goals and timelines

Within stipulated periods of months, you want to be at point B from your current situation (call it point A). These goals, time-bound as they are, will keep you motivated. You will always know where you stand. The goals should be in line with your destination.

Consider this:

Suppose, I want to become a rockstar.

My goal within the first 3 months might be to complete and learn a course on playing chords with some melodies. The next 3 month goal might be to play 10 gigs and get professional experience. And so on. Get the drill?

how to be successful in lifeFailures do not fuck you up.

Every day won’t be a bright, sunny day. Sometimes you will be in bad health. And even after consistent devotion towards your success you might not get the cut.

There will be testing times. And even tedious ones where you will just hate doing the same shit over and over again.

Be ready to fail. Let it not hurt you so bad. It is all a part of a bigger game.

Keep the journey exciting by rewarding yourself for the the efforts you put in regularly.

Savour your favourite meal or even a nice bubble bath to keep up the morale.

What are the sacrifices you are willing to make?

What is the cost at which you want it all? Are you willing to sacrifice the time you spend with your family and friends? Are you ready to climb the ladder at the cost of integrity or your personal values? My answer would be a no for all the questions above.

My recommendation would be to strike a balance between work and everything else. Obsession may lead to a burnout. It might lead to depression and frustration. Create certain value systems and principles, which you won’t break at any cost.

On certain occasions, you will be pulled out of your comfort zone. You will be working odd hours. You will not remember when you had the last call when you spoke your heart out with your mother. However, these sprints are only temporary.

Remember:

Running towards your goals is actually a marathon – consistency and focus are the key to win it.

Common errors that prevent you from being successful

Withdrawing halfway – Many people sense going nowhere during their journey. Don’t quit due to this just because you feel this. Don’t lose confidence. You can overcome it all. Just keep at it.

Unwillingness to pivot – Adaptability is the word of this globalized hyper-connected world. Even Facebook is not what it was originally started as by Mark Zuckerberg. If you cannot change your direction as per circumstances, you might have a problem.

No action, just faff – So, if all you like is live in a  rut without seizing the moment, you need a fix. In order to move towards your goals, you need action. Only planning won’t do. A motivational video or article just won’t do it.

what is successSaying yes to everything – There are commitments and things you cannot escape from but you don’t need to deliver at all times. They are distractions devised to waste your precious time in your journey uphill. Always do a double-check if the opportunity at hand makes sense to your end goal.

Let people dictate your words and actions –The only man person should listen to is yourself. Stop believing the definition of success to be what others have taught you. Stop comparing yourself with anyone else. You are amazing the way you are and do not need any outside validation.

Conclusion

Being successful is not rocket science. It is being true to what you believe. Do not let those tabloids and newspapers tamper with your definition of success. Let people go after money. Let them do what they feel is the right thing to do at their age.

Take calculated risks. Follow your intuition. Take care of your body and soul. Be true to everyone, especially yourself. Do that thing that excites you every single day. And accomplish what might now give chills down your spine.

How do you measure success? How have you been pursuing it? And how have you kept yourself motivated through the failing times? I would love to know your thoughts.

Please do share your success and failure stories in the comment box below.