Debra Kasowski

The Game Changer You Cannot Succeed Without

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Have you ever heard someone say, “I can tell if you will succeed in life within a five-minute conversation.” If you have, you will know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, let me tell you how.

I love talking with people but what really gets my juices flowing is learning about what gets people excited about their lives-what they are passionate about. I am a very curious person by nature and I can pick up on whether person will succeed or not. I will not say they will never succeed because as human beings we are always works in progress; however, until these people make a shift in their habits, thinking, and behavior, they may be working hard but not having their personal breakthroughs.

30831154_lThe game changing quality that you must have in life to succeed is personal accountability. When you have personal accountability, you can change your life.

The first indicator of whether or not you will succeed is your mindset. Are you a victim or a victor? A person with the victim mindset resolves to complaining, blaming, and making excuses for not achieving the results that they want. It is always another person’s fault for their lack of achievement. The victim is usually judgmental, pessimistic, or resentful. They avoid any challenge that may not lead to guaranteed success. A victor, on the other hand, is someone who takes 100% responsibility for their actions and behaviors.  A victor will “own their stuff”; they own their words and also reflect on how they are responsible for their own outcomes. They are open-minded, optimistic, and willing to take on challenges to learn and grow.

The second indicator is whether or not the person takes ownership of their thoughts, feelings, and above all, actions. When I talk about personal ownership, I’m not talking about material goods. I am talking about taking that 100% responsibility for what you say and what you do. You only get in life what you put out into the world. You must be willing to put the effort it takes to get what you want. The same holds true for relationships. If each individual in a relationship is only putting 50% effort then they should expect mediocre outcomes. Whereas, if each individual is giving 100% effort into the relationship, the relationship will flourish. The same holds true for your goals in life, your career, or business. The results you get are dependent on the efforts put in.

The third indicator is a person’s attitude. People often forget that attitude is a choice. A successful person knows that setbacks are temporary. They are moments to pause, reflect, and learn from. Sometimes, you need to course correct when things didn’t go your way. By choosing a positive outlook and a “quitting is not an option” attitude, you will increase your chances of being successful. A positive unstoppable attitude allows you to be open-minded and look for the possibilities and opportunities.

In a 5 minute conversation, you can tell if someone chooses to be a victim or a victor. You can tell if they take responsibility for their actions and behaviors. You can tell if they have an unstoppable mindset and if they are determined to succeed. Take time to learn about another person’s goal and discover ways you can help them become victorious. If you realized that you must make some changes to your life, know that it’s never too late.

Life is like a game. Let personal accountability be your game changer.

What Are You Projecting to the World?

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As a leader in life and business, you are on stage all the time. How you show up in the world is a reflection of your self-worth. Even though you say you take people at face value, first impressions are made within the first 30 seconds of interacting with someone.

I am not saying that you need to pull out the plastic and go on a spending spree and buy things which you cannot afford. I am saying that there are several things that you can do to project self-worth and confidence.

Maintain a Good Posture (and Watch the Nonverbals). Poor posture can make you appear weak, fatigued or even in pain. Stand tall and walk with your head up and shoulders back. Confidence is attractive and people are attracted to confidence. The way you carry yourself is a nonverbal communicator that tells people a great deal about you. When speaking with others (unless culturally offensive), maintain eye contact and pay attention to the tone of your voice and the rate you are speaking. Engage others with thoughtful questions.Face of beautiful woman on the background of business people

Make Your Health a Priority. Eat healthy foods – choose foods that fuel your body. Watch your portion sizes – skip the upsize deals. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. You do not have to go to a gym to get your exercise quota. Go for a walk, jog, swim, bike ride, or run.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep. When you do not get a good night’s sleep, you move slower throughout the day. You may even get bags under your eyes. You do not think as clearly when you are tired and you may have errors of judgment. You want to be sharp and awake so you make astute decisions.

Keep Hydrated. Keep a glass or bottle of water by your side as you work or exercise. Lack of hydration can lead to dry skin which is more prone to wrinkles. Maintain that youthful glow by drinking enough water to keep yourself hydrated.

Speak Highly of Yourself. Speaking highly of yourself does not mean that you are “above” or “better” than others nor is it bragging about yourself. It means that you are proud of who you are. You are not afraid to introduce yourself and offer a firm handshake. You speak positively about yourself and your strengths and how you serve others.

Dress the Part. What you wear says a great deal about you. Ensure your clothing is clean and well pressed. You do not want to look like you just rolled out of bed. Keep your hair well-kept and your shoes shined. Check yourself out in a mirror before you head out for the day and periodically throughout the day.

Get Organized. Nothing wastes more time than looking for your keys or report as you run out the door for an appointment. Lay the items you need out before you go to bed at night to ensure you have what you need and you know where to find everything.

Be Prepared. Going into things blindly can seem like a night at the improv, but it won’t take long before someone calls you on your bluff. Review your materials before presenting or going into an important meeting. You may not get that second chance to make a first impression.

Read to Learn and Be Entertained. Stay on top of current events, industry trends, and the latest books. By being in the know, you can contribute to stimulating conversations, share resources, and make meaningful connections.

What impression do you want to make? Are you showing up as the person you want to be seen as? What do you need to do to make that everlasting impression? Don’t dismay! You can do it; you just need to get started. Start projecting who you are and where you are going. Why not start today. If not now, when?