As a seasoned Solicitor, Cognitive Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner, and now the head of operations and consultant at GS Fast Growth, I'm familiar with the peaks and valleys that define the topography of success. My journey hasn't been an easy one, but it has armed me with valuable lessons and insights valuable for every business leader.
Success isn't just about reaching a specific goal or milestone. It's about the tenacity, resilience, and courage it takes to keep going when the odds are stacked against you. It's about refusing to be confined by limitations – real or imagined. Your potential to succeed, in business and life, is as boundless as you allow it to be. This, I believe, holds the key to becoming a successful business leader.
1. Harness Your Desire
Every leader should possess an unwavering desire to succeed, so potent that it pushes them to cross the most challenging hurdles. It's not about mere willingness; it's about a resolve so strong that it propels you into action, irrespective of the challenges that lie in wait.
During my darkest days, when life seemed bleak and devoid of hope, it was this fierce desire to succeed that pulled me out of despair and pushed me towards creating a life I could be proud of. It was the fuel that powered my journey from being homeless to a successful legal professional and business consultant in the UK.
As business leaders, your success will be determined by the intensity of your desire to win, not by the comprehensiveness of your backup plan.
2. Navigate Advice With Care
Every successful leader knows the value of good advice. However, it's crucial to sift through the noise and identify the guidance that truly matters. The journey to the top can be riddled with well-meaning yet misplaced advice. The ability to recognize and embrace advice that aligns with your goals is a skill every leader needs to master.
Don't let the opinions of others deter you from chasing your dreams. When I decided to study law, many around me found the idea ludicrous. But I believed in my dream and my abilities, and I pressed on. The lesson? It's your dream. Trust your instincts and follow your path, even if it seems daunting to others.
3. Embrace Fear
Fear is a natural emotion that can either hold you back or propel you forward. The choice is yours. Fear can limit your potential, but when faced head-on, it can also be a catalyst for growth and transformation. It’s okay to be scared, but don't let fear decide your actions. Embrace it and move forward anyway.
The story of my snowboarding experience is an example of this. The fear of falling held me back, but when I consciously chose to push through, my performance improved dramatically. The same principle applies in business. When faced with fear or uncertainty, adjust your mindset, reframe your narrative, and rise to the challenge.
4. Strengthen Your Foundation
The relationship you have with yourself is the bedrock upon which your success is built. Your sense of identity, your self-perception, forms the foundation for your actions and decisions. As business leaders, understanding and nurturing this relationship is paramount.
As I transitioned from my legal career to cognitive hypnotherapy, this truth became evident. Regardless of the challenges my clients faced, the common thread was their self-perception. Their limiting beliefs about themselves formed the root of their struggles.
So, how does this translate into the realm of business leadership? It suggests that the key to overcoming professional hurdles lies in strengthening your internal foundation. By working on your self-perception and your beliefs about yourself, you build a solid base upon which to grow and succeed
Laura Lohk