Zdravko Cvijetic
13 Things You Should Give Up If You Want To Be Successful
Medium, 2016
What's inside?
Quitting the bad habits and mind-sets that hold you back is an important step toward success.
Recommendation
It seems like chasing success should involve doing more, but self-improvement writer Zdravko Cvijetic says it’s actually about letting go of some things. He identifies where people’s misspent time, energy and focus typically go, and suggests ways of winning them back. None of Cvijetic’s suggestions are necessarily easy things to give up, but he promises that achieving big goals will be its own reward. getAbstract recommends his advice to anyone who would like to free up more time and energy to pursue success, however you define it.
Take-Aways
- Prioritize healthy living, and take responsibility for your life.
- Manage your time wisely.
- Choose the right friends, and don’t worry about being liked.
- Set realistic expectations.
- Think big, and be prepared to grow.
Summary
Success isn’t only about doing the right things; it’s also about not doing the wrong things. Here are 13 things you can “give up” to help you focus on being more successful:
- An unhealthy lifestyle – Letting go of an unhealthy lifestyle takes self-control, but will improve quality of life. It requires a commitment to physical activity and eating well.
- Short-term goals – They’ll only lead to short-term results.
- Small ideas – If you’re not shooting for something big, you’ll never find out what you’re truly capable of.
- Excuses – Success means taking responsibility for your life, even when you can only control your outlook.
- A “fixed mind-set” – Without hard work, brains and talent won’t lead to success. Success is about embracing a “growth mind-set” and spending serious time learning how to be better at all you do.
- “Magic bullets” – Focus on incremental improvements.
- Perfectionism – Accept that things are never perfect, and take a first step anyway. You can always adjust later.
- Multitasking – Do just one thing, with focus, until it’s done.
- Trying to control everything – Being overly controlling is counterproductive. Recognize which variables you can control, and put your attention on those.
- Saying yes all the time – Give time and attention only to things that further your goals. This may mean missing out on a few experiences, but the payoff will be big.
- Toxic relationships – Consider the people you see most often. Being around people who are doing well will make you more successful, too. If toxic people are dragging you down, see them less.
- Worries about being liked – If you’re doing something truly innovative, some people won’t approve and that’s okay. Stick to your vision, and take detractors as a sign that you’re stirring up things in a good way.
- Television and social media – Unless they’re directly linked to something you’re trying to achieve, minimize or get rid of them altogether. When you do, you’ll find you have more time to enjoy.
About the Author
Zdravko Cvijetic is an entrepreneur, writer, educator and founder of Zero to Skill, a self-improvement blog for high achievers.
This document is restricted to personal use only.
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Writer, entrepeneur, ....
Enough heard ;)
Writer, entrepeneur, ....
Enough heard ;)