That’s why we asked 10 self-made millionaires and Advisors in The Oracles to share their advice on common actions that hold people back from success:
1. Failing to show up.
“Not showing up is the No. 1 reason most people fail, and it’s a very common and easy mistake to make.
Showing up again and again requires faith and persistence, but it also creates discipline. You’ll never conquer what you don’t move toward. If you don’t make any moves, you’ll become stagnant, unmotivated and ultimately spiral downward.”
—Grant Cardone, founder of Cardone Capital, a $750 million real estate empire.
2. Slacking off.
“It’s tempting to be lazy. But if you want to achieve great outcomes, you need to put in the work.
I was raised by parents who told me that I could do whatever I wanted to do and be whoever I wanted to be, as long as I worked hard for it. If anything, I probably work too hard — but that’s exactly what it takes.”
—Michael Ovitz, co-founder and former chairman of CAA; former president of The Walt Disney Company; investor and philanthropist.
3. Having a negative attitude.
“When I hire someone for my business or partner with an entrepreneur on ‘Shark Tank,’ I look for one thing: a positive attitude.
I used to think I could change someone with a bad attitude, but I have since learned to fire them. It only takes one negative person in a group of 10 happy people to bring the whole team down. But nothing gets in the way of someone who says, ‘We can do this.’
Even during tough times, you have to be able to bounce back and maintain a positive attitude — no matter what.”
4. Waiting too long to make a decision.
“If you can apply the 40/70 rule, you’ll be successful at whatever you choose to do. Years ago, I learned a valuable principle from General Colin Powell: You only need 40% to 70% of the information to make a decision.
If you require total certainty, you’ll miss opportunities. So how do you make a call while leaving potential data on the table? Trust your gut, pull the trigger and move on.
Effective leadership is a blend of knowledge and experience. Often, your ability to make decisions in the absence of information can be your ultimate value proposition.”
—Shaun Rawls, founder and CEO of Rawls Consulting; built The Rawls Group of Keller Williams to over $4 billion in annual sales; author of the upcoming book “F’-IT-LESS.”
5. Not smiling.
“The power of smiling is underrated. A warm, genuine smile instantly creates trust, which is the cornerstone of every business transaction. Not only does it add positive energy to your expression, but it also makes you seem approachable.
People want to do business with people they like, connect with and feel comfortable around. Don’t fake it, either; the more authentic you are, the more you will make an impact.
Studies have also found that smiling makes you happier, healthier and more creative. Best of all? It’s free.”