According to T. W. Lewis, the author of Solid Ground, A Foundation for Winning In Work and Life, are: Personal Character; Hard Work; Goal Setting; Self-Awareness; and Helping Others. Lets reveal together this unique list of five key qualities that are necessary to reach your potential. They are:
Finding Your Talent – “In every person there is a seed of greatness. Understanding your uniqueness, your values, your natural strengths, and your authenticity is vital for finding your success.” It’s important to discover what you’re naturally good at when choosing a career as it is better to follow talent than passion.
Making Good Decisions – “When it comes to being successful in life, having good judgment and making good decisions is far more important than just being smart.” The structure for this includes a seven-step plan for making good decisions which encompasses everything from clarifying your goals and values to doing your research, examining your alternatives to many times sleeping on a decision before making it final.
Taking Smart Risks – “Risk and rewards go together. In order to get the rewards, you have to take the risks,”. People who are comfortable taking smart risks will see rewards follow. You basically need to adopt an attitude of “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable,” and how becoming conscious of your biases will help you become a better risk-taker.
Keeping Your Drive Alive – “After you commit to your own success, you will find many obstacles on the road to achievement. It takes a lot of energy, persistence, resiliency, ambition, and determination to overcome these obstacles,” writes Lewis. Find your “why” and your “worthy ideals” to sustain your drive over time.
Managing Your Career – To optimize your career potential, you must excel in your current job, prioritize learning and personal growth, and use solid judgment to determine when it’s time for a change. Lewis explains that career success is best achieved by learning from different mentors at multiple companies and having exposure to many things. Time matters, and early lessons usually pay big dividends.
