As I travel across the country, meeting various people in various places, I hear story after story of how people have become successful. Many have worked tirelessly throughout their careers to build something remarkable, while others found success by simply being in the right place at the right time. Despite their different paths, a common thread among them is a positive mentality coupled with a strong work ethic.
During a recent lunch, a friend shared a valuable lesson from their father: when starting a new venture, you won’t know everything you need, but success requires two things. First, always show up on time, no matter what. In today’s world of flexible schedules and competing demands, the importance of punctuality has diminished for many. Yet, if someone is relying on you – be it a boss, colleague, or friend – you owe it to them to be where you’re supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be there. You’re never going to get where you want to go if you’re always making excuses. So, lesson number one in what it takes to be successful: always know that it’s up to you to show up on time.
The second key is to always be open to learning. Always be open to asking questions. I recently advised a young man about to embark on his career post-college. I told him flat out that he wouldn’t start off knowing everything about his chosen field. The marketing skills he seeks are not something you can get through college education, books, or instructors. However, they can be learned by acknowledging what you don’t know, showing up, and being willing to ask questions. The ‘no dumb question’ saying goes a long way and should become a mindset. There’s always more that you can learn. And by asking questions and knowing you’ve always got more to learn, it’s going to set you up for success.
While these insights might not be revolutionary, they underscore the practical steps that have proven effective for many. Remembering the discussion about the essentials for success during that recent lunch has been enlightening.