Indispensable Requirements of Success

Aug22
2012 43 Comments Written by danonleadership

If you want to see or move to a new level of success then it requires doing the things most people are not willing to do. I have observed many people who have unlimited potential and still never come close to reaching the success they could. It’s important to remember success or being successful is different depending on the individual. However there are indispensable requirements to achieving your desired level of success. Below are 4 indispensable requirements to success:

1. Courage- Courage allows you to move past the unknown, fear, and self limitations, and allows you to be moving toward success. If you want to see success then having and maintaining your courage is essential. I have found many benefits courage brings into a leaders life:

  • It allows you to accomplish more than you can think or imagine.
  • It grows your self-esteem, self-image, and self-belief.
  • It allows you to move outside of your comfort zone.
  • It causes you to be a better leader and communicator.

2. Preparation- Being ready and prepared for opportunities is vital to success. Your present and future opportunities can either open or close the door to your success. This happens when you are actively growing and developing, this will allow you to be prepared for opportunity when it comes. One way a leader can be preparing is in Setting up a Personal Development Plan and then be intentional about their growth.

3. Perseverance- Perseverance is the “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose.”A leader who had perseverance can endure the challenging and demanding seasons of leadership and life. It can and does separate the successful from those who quit. Perseverance over time allows you to be moving from one level of success to another. Determine to be persistent through the difficult times so you reap the rewards of success.

4. Hard work- It’s essential to know your knowledge, IQ, emotional intelligence, and talents do not matter if you’re not willing to work hard.  Professional basketball player, Kevin Durant said, “Hard work beats talent when talents won’t work hard.” (Click here to Tweet that) When you have a strong work ethic it’s only a matter of time before you see positive results that lead you toward success. It’s important to be smart in the hard work you put in, focus on putting the most work effort into your areas of purpose, talents, career, and highest priorities.

Questions: What are some other Indispensable requirements of success?  Which of these 4 resonates with you the most? 

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  • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

    All of these are awesome Dan, perseverance is a big step most people don’t anticipate.
    M_

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Marc,

      I totally agree with you. Thanks for reading and sharing.

  • floyd

    I agree with all of these and love that quote my Durant.

    I’ve come to realize from most of the people that I know that have become successful that one of the elements that motivates their being is one that is never talked about; fear… Fear of failure is one of the big motivators…

    It’s not a healthy motivator, but it is no less real. The problem is it causes the ones with it to be self centered and no amount of success quenches the persons heart who’s heart is the center of the universe. Most of the very successful people I’ve known have this trait. I just never hear anyone talk or write about it?

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Floyd,

      Great additional thoughts. Though it might be a unhealthy motivator it often can produce positive results or change. I wounder if one could have this trait and still not be “self centered.” This is something I’m going to think about more, maybe I’ll write about this topic in the future.

      Thanks for reading and sparking my thoughts:)

  • http://www.brandongilliland.com/ Brandon Gilliland

    Great points!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Thank you Brandon. Glad you stopped by.

  • http://thebeardedidealist.com/ Stephen Haggerty

    Love the thoughts on work ethic. Most people assume “you either have it or you don’t”, but that’s seldom the case. Good thoughts, my friend.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      I agree, I think it’s a trait that a person can learn and become better in. Though it might be hard for a lazy person to develop a work ethic, I think it could be done. Thanks for sharing your insights.

  • http://www.danerickson.net/ Dan Erickson

    Good points and post, Dan. As you said at the top, we all define success in a different way, but these four elements can work in any definition of success.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      That’s Defiantly true Dan. They are required no matter how we see success. Thank you for reading and adding to the conversation.

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    Desire, desire, desire… I’ve had some amazing friends who had great potential but they lacked the desire to bring their potential to life. How would you help your friends overcome this?

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Desire is defined, “to long or hope for.” So when helping a friend, person, student, act out their desires so they will reach their potential. I would say it first requires knowing their passions, likes, interests, and dreams. Then focusing on those areas that could and would drive the person to start doing. While encouraging and inspiring them to act out their personal desires.

      Also by setting the example of a person who is already acting out your desires and dreams. Like you are:) Does this make sense?

      • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

        Makes sense Dan. After meeting Kimanzi this weekend, it helped increase my desire to do what I’m passionate about and love.

        • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

          That’s great to hear. I think even the most driven and passionate people still need to be motivated at times. It’s why it’s so important to find “like minded people” like you mentioned in your post today. if anyone else wants to read this quality post here it is, http://www.jmlalonde.com/the-power-of-connecting-with-like-minded-people/

  • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

    I love the four points. This can probably fall under courage…but faith is crucial to success…at least the God-kind of success anyway. We need to believe for a higher cause and in Someone greater than ourselves.

    • http://www.michaelgholmes.com/ Mike Holmes

      Good points Ngina! I’d say faith in God AND faith in one’s self makes all the difference

      • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

        You are absolutely right Mike! Sometimes we are quick to believe that God can do great things for and through others. But are hesitant to believe He can do the same for and through us. Belief in God and ourselves is key.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Amen to that, faith is essential. Thank you for adding it.

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    Thanks for the nifty link to the quote!

    For me hard work and perseverance go hand in hand. My dad was a “self made man” with little education. Just a great deal of hard work and determination to provide for his family.
    I’m so blessed for the example he provided throughout his life about working hard and giving much. We don’t work to have but we work hard to give to others.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      TC Avey,

      What a great example to have growing up. I can tell you have those same quality’s in your life now. Thank you for sharing about your father and his example.

      • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

        That’s kind of you. I sure hope I exemplify the best qualities of my dad.

        • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

          You sure do. Being motivated to start and be consistent in blogging shows your determined to do good and help others. Keep it up!

          • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

            Thanks Dan, I really appreciate it. Your support for my blog means more than you know!
            God bless.
            Eph 3:20

  • http://talesofwork.com/ kimanzi constable

    I would add having some support. No matter what, at one point or another we’ll fall down and having a group of friends or loved ones there to encourage you can make all the difference!

    • http://www.michaelgholmes.com/ Mike Holmes

      Absolutely with you on that Kimanzi! I cant even begin to imagine where I’d be without the support of my my wife and close friends

      • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

        Amen about that:) We become better people through the support of our spouse and kids.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Great addition Kimanzi. Having people around us who encourage and allow us to be better are important. Thank you for adding to the discussion.

  • http://www.michaelgholmes.com/ Mike Holmes

    Nothing resonates more with me than #3 and you know why Dan! ;)

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      #3 is important. I know with me at times it’s #1. I think we all have areas we can improve on when it comes to setting our self’s up for success. Thank you for taking the time to add to the discussions. I appreciate it.

  • http://www.indueseason.net skottydog

    Courage resonates with me the most from this post, Dan. Courage to try. Courage to succeed. And most importantly, courage to fail. I heard a great quote today on the Dave Ramsey Show. I didn’t catch the name, but it was along the lines of “…A conductor can lead a band only when he is willing to turn his back on a crowd.” That’s courage.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Scott,

      Courage is essential. It does a lot for a person/leader. Great quote! Thank you for sharing.

  • http://www.jasonvana.com Jason Vana

    I’m currently reading Great by Choice, by Jim Collins, and am learning that there are three traits that put exceptional leaders above all else (by exceptional, I mean people who experienced success at a level 10x their counterparts even in the midst of unstable circumstances). They are: Productive Paranoia (always preparing for circumstances that may never happen), Empirical Creativity (using data and knowledge to fuel your creativity) and Fanatic Discipline (more a level of consistency than performing the same tasks – it’s the idea that even if you are making a lot, you still stay consistent and don’t try to over-extend yourself). It really has been eye-opening and helping me in my leadership. You should pick it up if you haven’t read it already!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      First off Great by Choice is a great book. It’s full of wisdom and insights. Jim Collin’s books are some of the best books I have ever read. Thank you for sharing about the book.

  • http://www.lincolnparks.com Lincoln Parks

    Just like the lion in the Wizard of Oz that needed courage. I always want to connect with people that are going places and its inevitable that with these 4 components planted in your head you are going to succeed.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Lincoln Parks,

      Great example, I always liked the lion in The Wizard of Oz. I think you hit an important point, when you said “you want to connect with people that are going places.” The people around us is a big factor to success. Thank you for sharing.

  • http://marleeward.com/ Marlee

    Hey Dan,
    This is great. I love Kamanzi’s addition of support and I would add faith. I think a lot of times people who have the potential to succeed don’t because they can’t see themselves as a success. They can’t see themselves as what they want to become. They don’t see themselves as God sees them. I think it’s faith that helps you develop courage, and like you pointed out, that’s first on the list!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Marlee,

      I think your point about seeing our self as God sees us is huge. Along with belief and faith. Thank you stopping by to read and add to the conversation. I appreciate it.

  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    I think one crucial aspect is goal-orientation. Perseverance and hard work are great, but if you don’t know where you’re trying to go in the first place, then they’re often ineffective.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Loren,

      What a great additional point. Knowing were we are going and having goals to get their are so essential. Thank you for adding it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Juan-Cruz-Jr/100002369801554 Juan Cruz Jr.

    Dan, great reminder of what it takes to succeed. Hard-work is the key ingredient. I always tell my daughters hard-work will help you get through school and get good grades. There are a lot of people with high IQ’s and talent, but hard-work will get you the results and success.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Juan,

      I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I agree, it’s about putting in the hard work and not completely relying on talents or IQ. It’s something I want to instill into my son when he gets older. Thank you for reading and adding to the discussion.

  • Sas

    I love this one. For the past few years my purpose and passion has been about connecting people and building community back in the world (or, you could say, combating loneliness). I live in a city that I love, but that has a reputation for being one of the most difficult to crack into friendship-wise – people are polite but busy, and the population is quite transient. It takes all of the things that you and other commenters here have mentioned to inspire and build a culture of community spirit, and I accept that that’s a pretty big goal that I can’t do single-handedly. But it’s worth it as it makes my heart sing (and as long as I do my bit towards the goal, I feel I’m fulfilling my potential).
    I like that you said success looks different for every individual. Success can also be different for the same individual over time!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Hello Sas,

      In today’s society it can be very difficult to start and develop relationships with others. The busyness of life and all of the different challenges we face can cause us to focus on our self and not other people. However, I have learned it’s essential that we take time to build strong and true friendship with others. It’s important to do the things that make our “heart sing.” Great points and thank you for sharing them:)