The Nonnegotiables to Success

There's a famous quote by Albert Einstein that's says 'if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, then it will spend its whole life thinking it's stupid.' This is generally true. However (yes there's always a however with me), if there's food at the top of the tree and the fish completely disregards how the monkey got up there, then the fish is indeed stupid.

One of my good friends likes to use Mr Einstein's quote as an excuse for why he shouldn't learn something or why he doesn't need to know it. I hope that one day he acknowledges my follow up statement and if you haven't worked it out already, this is going to be the basis for today's post.

So my point here is, even if you don't understand something, if it's a crucial cog in the system, you must acknowledge and respect it. You might argue that if you aren't good at maths, you could always hire a number cruncher. Similarly, if you're not good at manual labour, you could hire workers. There are however, a few nonnegotiables to the recipe to success; an understanding of economics, physics and psychology.

I'm not saying you have to undertake formal study in these three areas. It would of course be beneficial if you did but for some people, these things are just understood without any formal training.

Let's take a deeper look at what I'm trying to get at.

The ever present problem to achieving success is What, How and Who;

1. What do I do to be successful? (Physics)

Physics is the generalised study of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves. Whatever your chosen area of success is, you must understand the physics behind. The better your understanding, the more likelihood you are to have a statistical advantage and therein may lie your success. This extends from a professional job where you are judged on your understanding of concepts and ability to apply them to understanding the physical limits of plant and apparatus.

2. How do I make it happen? (Economics)

Economics is a social science that studies how individuals, governments, firms and nations make choices on allocating scarce resources to satisfy their unlimited wants. Put simply, economics is the branch of knowledge concerned with production, consumption and transfer of wealth. In most cases, your wealth is a measure of your success. Hence, accepting that you and your product are a commodity subjected to market forces will allow you to extract wealth. How well you play the market is directly proportional to how much wealth and success you will extract.

3. Who determines if you're successful?(Psychology)

Psychology is an academic and applied discipline that involves the scientific study of mental functions and behaviours. There's no point being an expert in your field or having the best business model if you can't convince your target audience to buy your 'product.' As such, an intuitive understanding of the psychology behind the actions of others will ultimately be the make or break for any level of success you aim to achieve.

Now a person destined for success will automatically assess the positive and negative aspects of these three factors. However, it is very rare for an individual to possess significant insight into all three factors. Similarly, it is also very rare for a product to require a high level of physics, economics and psychology. Thus, you shouldn't lose heart if you think you are rubbish at any one of the three. You may just need to find the right product that requires a combination which plays to your strengths. 

That being said, I encourage you to incorporate all three factors in any major business decisions, whether it be in the planning phase or execution. Failure to do so will be setting yourself up for failure.With that in mind I'd like to share how you could also apply this theory to getting ahead at work.

For any task that you undertake, take a moment of self reflection and check the physics, economics and psychology behind the task. It could be as simple as:

1. I will learn a new skill or maintain my ability at completing the task (physics - understanding and applying a new theorem)

2. I have made myself more valuable to the company (economics - where you fall in the supply and demand for workers)

3. I have made a good impression on those around me (psychology - where you lie in other people's opinions)

For most tasks it may seem irrelevant to undertake such an analysis as they are no brainer positive results. However, for those negative results (i.e. the task that doesn't serve your physical, economic or psychological interests) or even for those career decisions, you may be grateful that you did undertake such an assessment. I'd be interested to hear from anyone willing to try this. It doesn't take a lot of effort but with a few tweaks to your approach and a stronger understanding of who you are, there's no reason you can't be on the path to success.

#Hanbaobao

To stay up to date with all the latest posts follow me on:
Instagram: @the_over_correction
Facebook: facebook.com/theovercorrection

Alternatively, any sharing of a post using the share bar below would be greatly appreciated and would be greeted with multiple imaginary high 5's.

Do You Have What it Takes to Reach the Top?

Hard work is too common phrase these days. The promise that if we work hard, we will succeed seems to be misguided simply because 'hard work' is relative. It will always differ from person to person. This then poses the question of how do you quantify a willingness towards hard work? One way could be to choose 'benchmarks' which you can measure your work ethic against. The 'benchmarks' I have chosen are aimed at helping you to assess your character and determine if you have the drive and work ethic to reach the top. So without further ado let's explore 5 things you can try.

1. Stay in a 5 star hotel

This one is quite easy to 'achieve'. The thing you should find out here is to determine if the 5 star level of comfort is something you 'need' to have. This is different to the 'yeah I like it and would always take it if I have the chance.' However, if the answer is 'you don't feel comfortable in lesser accommodation anymore,' then you know you are probably willing to put that extra effort in for that extra reward.

2. Do something significant that you're not entirely comfortable with

Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, there will come a time when you will have to do something you're not entirely comfortable with. Reaching the top requires wits and a strong control over your emotions and whilst you may think that you are a 'good' person, rest assured that there will be someone out there that is immoral or unethical. When your back is against the wall, you may be forced to do something that you may not be comfortable with. I'm not saying that this ok. However, it's best to know if you're okay with doing things in the 'questionable' area before it's too late.

3. Buy a materialistic item for $1000

This one is a good one. Spending this quantity of money is for most people a big deal. You most probably have obsessed and obsessed about this decision for a long time. Hence this is why when you finally do it, you feel such an attachment to it. But what comes next is interesting. It can go two ways. Either you think it was a good idea and you instantly have a hunger for more 'luxury' items or you completely regret it and wish you could return it. Chances are if you are the first one, you know you're going to work hard to maintain this new 'lifestyle.'

4. Join a gym

Make sure you sign up for a lengthy period of time. Then monitor how much you actually use your membership. If the number is low chances are you aren't very disciplined and therefore hard work may not be your forte. It's also a good measure of how you spend your money. If you think $500 for a yearly membership is a good idea, then chances are you'll see value in other 'expensive' items and will work hard to get them.

5. Try an extreme diet

This is another discipline idea. By extreme diets, I don't mean the 'only eat carrots for 5 days for rapid weight loss' diets. I'm referring to the 'cult' diets like the paleo diets or veganism. Hard work is only undertaken if you want essentially want to join a cult. Think about it, the partners at your firm are essentially in a mini cult, the expensive things they own puts them in the respective clubs (cults). If you identify yourself as one of those people that enjoys being someone who follows these 'interesting' diets, then chances are you may have what it takes to work hard and join the 'elite.'

These are just a few ways that can help you discover more about yourself. Fear not if you aren't one of these people. Happiness is entirely subjective. Someone that is happy going about their day is much better off than someone that works hard for no reason and absolutely hates what they do.

The first person I envy, the second I don't. Don't be the latter.

#Hanbaobao

To stay up to date with all the latest posts follow me on:
Instagram: @the_over_correction
Facebook: facebook.com/theovercorrection

Alternatively, any sharing of a post using the share bar below would be greatly appreciated and would be greeted with multiple imaginary high 5's.

How to Get Ahead at Your Job

25 is a delicate age. By now you've probably been in the work force for a couple of years so you should have a basic understanding of how your business works. However, if you are not careful, a few years will pass and there will be no change in salary, skill level or recognition for your efforts. You will be almost 30 and suddenly feel like you are reaching your expiry date.

So how can you navigate the next few years so that this doesn't happen? The trick here is to know what you want. Unfortunately the things you need to know are not the things you know how to ask for.

I'm going to propose a few things you can do to stay ahead of the competition. However, before I begin, you must remember that the working environment is just like any game. There will be winners, losers, over rated players and under appreciated work horses. Never forget that. Now let's begin. 

1. Find your role model

Chances are there has to be someone in your business that you look up to. It doesn't necessarily have to be their whole make up but if there's at least one aspect you admire about them, you should seek to emulate them. Once you've done that try to keep a rapport with them. This may be difficult at first but the more you try to emulate them, the easier it will get. The reason that this works is because people like to see similarities in themselves. If you can show that you are just a bit like them, they may be friendlier towards you and there is your first step towards becoming more successful. Click here for more information about the importance of role models 

2. Use your initiative

If you take a step back for a moment, you will spot many repetitive patterns in your job. Now the skill to learn here is to identify a pattern that is not working or one where a miscommunication always occurs. If you can propose a solution or be part of the chain of events without being asked, chances are you will be looked upon favourably. Just don't become a yes man. People remember favours but when it becomes expected and not appreciated, you will be taken for granted; the exact opposite of what you were trying to achieve. So make sure you keep your wits about you and don't give something away for nothing. Learn from your mistakes and you'll become better at the initiative game. Remember burnt once, shame on them. Burnt twice, shame on you.

3. Expand your network

Make sure you try to keep a very diverse group of contacts. Having diversification gives you a greater perspective on what's going around you and will teach you greater empathy. You will become better at adapting to situations and have more in common with a much wider audience. This could be the small bit of information that stops you getting enraged at a coworker and making a fool of yourself or the edge you need to get a business deal over the line.

4. Never stop learning

You should never stop learning because what is deemed as the 'go to method' or 'accepted practice', can change as soon as tomorrow. Keeping up to date with what skills are in the market place will ensure you stay on top of your game and hopefully will keep you out of embarrassing situations. It will also keep you engaged and focused on the job at hand and working towards favourable outcomes. And of course, it may help you figure out what you actually want to do with your life.

5. Dress like your boss

It doesn't matter if you see your boss as a role model or not. Your boss sees themselves as a successful person. Thus, they will essentially project an image of what they deem as successful by the clothes they wear and the possession they own. Chances are that you can't also buy a new Ferrari like them but what you can do is emulate their dress style. Doing so creates the illusion that you can and want to be as 'successful' as them. As they have a say into whether you progress or not, it can't hurt to have them think that you have 'boss' material in you.

Have a go at some of these ideas and I'm sure you will start to see some progress in no time. Remember you are in control of your own destiny so I suggest you start taking control today. Most important is number 1. Second organise a meeting with your boss and tell them how you are feeling and what some of your goals are. The rest you can do over time.

Good luck

#Hanbaobao

To stay up to date with all the latest posts follow me on:
Instagram: @the_over_correction
Facebook: facebook.com/theovercorrection

Alternatively, any sharing of a post using the share bar below would be greatly appreciated and would be greeted with multiple imaginary high 5's.