There is a saying that goes something like this; "You have been created with your face on the front of your head. So, keep your focus on the future, and let go of the past. Look forward, not back."
I would also like to add to this. Be focused on your actions and your own results. We often hear that if we want to achieve success we have to surround ourselves with successful people.
We also hear that we should find someone successful and copy what he/she does.
This is all true and I agree with all of it. But, I think what often lack in this whole scenario, is the level of thinking that goes into it.
Start Thinking For Yourself
When you have a role model, the emphasis is on copying what he/she does. Copy the actions, not the person or personality. Copy the actions of your role model, in your own unique way and become a success in your own right. Do not become a copy of that person. That will merely make you an impersonator...
When surrounding yourself with successful people, you need to be on the look-out for two things.
- Firstly, the true character of that "successful" person will soon become clear.
Are you trying to build a relationship with someone mature and "big" enough to see your potential and support you in your journey?
Sometimes you get people who've got the ego and the attitude, but that's about where it stops...
I watched an interview on television with one of our ex-Springbok rugby coaches over the weekend, and I heard him making a statement that is so true.
He said: "Some people are so poor, all they have is money."
I fully agree with that statement. For example; a man who humiliates other people in order to make himself look good is not worth associating with. I don't care how much money he has or what position he is in, and I'll stand by that.
I'm not saying you should be pampered...but there is no need to be bullied or humiliated either.
- Secondly, you need to remain realistic and true to yourself. Measure your results, progress, and success at your own level. Don't start comparing your results with that of your role model or the people you are surrounding yourself with at the beginning of your journey.
They have obviously made much more progress on their journey, which is why you want to learn from them. Don't try to compete with them.
Be Realistic and Focus On Your Own Results
Comparing yourself (or your results) to them at this stage is looking for trouble. You are now where they were 3 years, 5 years, or even 10 years or more ago.
If your results suck, don't become negative and depressed and think you're a failure. And you don't need to run to these people every 5 minutes and ask why you don't get the same results either.
Stop, take a break and look at what they are doing. Try to study and see what they do, how they do it and how often they do it. If you still can't find the solution, reach out and ask questions.
Take Responsibility For Your Own Decisions
Take responsibility for your own decisions and actions and learn from them.
I recall back in 2010, due to my experience and background I was approached and offered a contract to do V.I.P. Protection work for the international guests of the CONTINENTAL GROUP. This was during the soccer world-cup when it was hosted here in South Africa.
The contract paid real good money. Yet, about half-way through the contract, some of my colleagues became upset when they heard about another company that paid even better money for the same services.
My response was the following:
- Were you happy with the amount you were offered when you signed the contract?
- If yes, what has changed in the meantime?
- The best you can do is learn from this experience and when you get offered such an opportunity in the future, approach other clients and find out if someone else will pay you better.
It's the same with our investment experiences in crypto as well. There is no sense in beating ourselves up about not buying Bitcoin 10 years ago. Neither does it have any value to regret selling your Bitcoin at a loss in 2018.
The question is "where are you now"? And what is your plan/strategy for the future?
This all seems obvious, yet we often fall victim to this mentality of getting caught up in the past.
The following awesome comment I received from @andrewn on a recent post I wrote, made me think about this.
It's Time To Start Your Own Journey
So, determine where you are now. Then get a clear picture of where you want to go or what you want to achieve. Find yourself a role model and study what they do, how they do it, and how often they do it. Then start practicing, by doing it yourself.
If you are reading this post, chances are that you want to learn about crypto, creating content, affiliate marketing, or all of the above...
In that case, I can recommend a few people who you can follow and study how and what they do.
To name but a few, here are some of the people who stand out to me:
@jongolson
@achim03
@taskmaster4450
@elianaicgomes
@flaxz
@ph1102
@khazrakh
@nathanmars
and many more.
If I were to mention everybody who has supported me and who I have learned from so far, it would be a whole post on its own.
There are even people in the list above who I did not have direct communication with yet. That doesn't mean I cannot watch them and study them to learn from them by what they are doing.
The point is, take stock of where you are now and what you have. Besides the lessons that you have learned from the past, let go of the past and focus on the future!
I hope this post is helpful to get you motivated and started while being realistic in your expectations. And by that, I mean immediate to short-term expectations.
For your long-term goals...the bigger the better!
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