Dear Reader,
How do you define success? There are no shortages of definitions. Some define it as the attainment of wealth, status, notoriety, or possessions. Others define it as the completion of certain specified goals. And there are others who define it as accomplishing something of lasting significance. As you can see, success is defined differently by every individual. It is generally based on personal goals, interests, skills and abilities, and values. But while we may define it differently, there are some common elements that help determine if someone will achieve success. To start off, there is one common denominator… achieving success requires dedication. A person must be committed to his or her goals. Sometimes dedication requires you to give up other things in order to achieve your goal. Dedication is energized by consistently keeping the end goal in mind – being able to visualize what you want your success to be.
In addition, success also means taking a chance. It requires a certain amount of risk. Not in the sense of “risky behavior,” but in the sense of stretching one’s abilities, knowledge, and skills. Let’s say you are a spa owner. When you opened your doors and started your own spa, a certain amount of risk was involved. And when you decided to hire other employees and start a payroll, some risk was involved there also. You risk taking accountability for all of your staff’s decisions and even mistakes. You also risk missing the opportunity to do other things in your life because of your commitment to your business – the late hours, early mornings, added stress, extra costs, fewer vacations, and etcetera. But success is not about avoiding risk; it is about understanding it and overcoming it. Some people say that a successful man is one who had the chance and took it. I always tell myself that we do not grow unless we consciously decide to take risks. Are you growing?
To be successful, we must also understand what our talents, skills, and abilities are, and where they can best be used. In this industry, there is a great opportunity for people of varying interests and talents to grow and be successful. Most aestheticians have already experienced the fulfilling talent of touch. Some people have a natural talent for communication with clients. Others are gifted for selling retail products. Each person’s personality, interest, and motivation for being in this industry should be guided in the direction that will lead to their successes. What are your skills, talents, interests, abilities, and so on? Guide yourself to the correct path that will lead you to being successful in your personal and professional life.
I once heard someone say that failures are like skinned knees – painful, but superficial. We all have experienced failure in one form or another. But what makes some successful and others fail is how we look at the failures. Successful people look at failure differently than others. They see it just as one more step towards their eventual accomplishment. It isn’t achieved by avoiding mistakes, but by learning from each of them. Try to develop the attitude that each mistake, each bump in your life, is just another step toward your ultimate success. As Roger Von Oech, author of A Whack on the Side of the Head, states, “remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn’t work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach.” Can you identify an instance in your professional life where you didn’t do well? Why do you think you didn’t do well? What does that teach you about being successful? Develop an attitude of risk taking – of not being afraid to fail. And think of Robert Kennedy’s encouragement. “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
Amanda
Editor
