Shine With Grace

Do you need to be absolutely sure that you know exactly how to achieve whatever you’re going to do before really start doing it? 

I used to. 

The results were always predictable.  No surprise, no breakthrough, no passion, but predictable. 

In order for you to go places you’ve never been, you have to do things you’ve never done.

The crunch is, you don’t know how to get there when started doesn’t mean you can’t get there. 

But, you will never get there if you don’t even start and give it a try.  

You know how Richard Branson started his Virgin empire?  He was 20, dyslexic, dropped out of school, had no funding and knew nothing about the record industry when he founded the Virgin Records.  In order to kick off the business, he started by offering record mail ordering and only stocked titles with demands.  He started first and searched for the direction over the course. 

Grateful that I have been put in scenarios that I didn’t even have a clue (limited knowledge/expertise, limited resources, limited budget…) on how was it possible to get the things done when started.   Looking back, I found that these experiences were far more memorable than the days when I was merely gliding along…

Gradually, I learn that most goals are attainable, even though you don’t know how to get there at the very beginning.   Furthermore, I have found some time-tested principles that would increase your chance of success:

• Have a plan. 
• (But) don’t just sit there and plan the perfect plan, get into the game! 
• Have passion in what you are doing.
• Adopt a “Can Do” attitude (Don’t say “can’t”…).
• Research, research, research… 
• Work hard.
• Work Smart!
• Break away from the comfort zone.
• Be creative, think out of the box.
• Think ”what if”. 
• Think win-win.
• Time is precious, and NOT all tasks are equally important (or, more fundamentally, necessary) - first things first.
• Learn from the best, observe best practices.  Reduce chances of committing errors as far as possible.
• Leverage with what’s in hand. 
• Ask for help.
• Seek referrals.
• Cold-calling, warm-calling, continue calling…
• Look for partners. 
• Look for sponsors.
• Consult the insiders.
• Have an agenda for meetings.
• Don’t get stuck with the nitty gritty.
• Delegate wherever and whenever possible.
• Don’t come up with one after another worst case scenario to scare yourself off.
• Don’t listen to the black-clouders.
• Be nice.
• Celebrate milestones.
• Employ / team up with smart people (Best choice: people smarter than you.)
• Have standards. 
• Put things in perspective.  Reassess position from time to time. 
• Keep motivated.
• Focus on the big picture, be flexible with strategies.
• Never take ”no” for an answer.
• Don’t give up.
• Believe in yourself.   

And somehow you’ll find that you manage to pull it together…   

I believe that one of life’s greatest risks is never daring to risk.

~ Oprah Winfrey

Bonus: 

Secrets of Success in 8 Words, 3 Minutes by Richard St. John at Ted Talks.  Special thanks to Project Armannd for introducing this superb talk in his blog.   Very treasurable 3-mins, don’t miss!

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