When I think about the five C's of success I think about the things that can be applied in everything that one does. There are varied degrees of success, and it means different things to different people. However, these five C's have been tested time and time again and proven. They will help one in their spiritual, social, business and personal lives. In whatever arena one finds themselves facing the giant, Goliath these fundamental tools will guide you to victory. The five C's I am speaking of are: Communication,Commitment,Curiosity, Consciousness and Compromise.
Communication is the way you understand the world around you and how the world understands you. Communication takes on many forms. Before you open your mouth, you are communicating. We use our six senses to communicate: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and instinct. How well you communicate is what gives one distinction. I try to implement the following acronym to help me do just that:
(C)larify. Clarifying is asking for more information. It is the way to validate your understanding of the communicators intent. Use phrases such as: "I understand you to be saying..., or What I hear is..." Also ask the other person to repeat what you said to them. Clarify by confirming important dates and information; confirm what you think you know. Do as the adage states, "Say what you mean, and mean what you say." Clarifying is asking for more information to confirm intent, agreement and facts.
(O)ptimize your language skills. Take refresher courses, or learn a new language. If you cannot afford the tuition in this economy look to other resources such as Adult night School; they charge nominal fees and have great subjects such as ettiquette skills). Write. Join writing communities such as "Helium.com". Not certain about your grammar? Visit "GrammarGirl.com". Brush up on your foreign language skills just by reading the lables of ordinary household products written in english and other languages. The point is anything that will help you improve your language art skills will increase your chances for success.
(M)ake new friends. Get out and meet people. Talk to people who share your same vision and to those who are different from you. Talk to them out of genuine interest. People are doors, and you can learn so much from others' experiences. I talk with everyone: the mail/delivery person, the cleaning staff, children, politicians, business owners etc. The information I gained (not gossip) and the influence are the rewards for my taking time to get to know someone. My view is there are no people who are too insignificant or too important for me to learn from or for me to help. I cannot tell you how many invitations to travel I received just by asking a stranger to tell me about where they are from. Their are opportunities you may never get again if you don't take time to know those around you.
(M)editate on good things. Make time to be quiet. Listen to your self talk: tune into that voice in your heart and in your mind. Is it too critical? Is the language too negative, or is it too cocky? Is the voice based in truth and fact, or is it being drowned out by too
many details? Affirm what is good and what is true. One of the affirmations I rely upon is: "Be still and know that I am God." When I hear my fears creeping up on me, I step back, remember what is good and the purpose of my work I regain focus. I can also deafen the toxic voices of other people and consider the possiblities. Journaling is a great tool to help you meditate; overtime you can look back and see progress. Praying is an invaluable tool. The point is that we can talk ourselves out of success by the negative thoughts that we have racing through our minds. Meditation is a way to silence the voice of negativity and awaken the fires of creativity.
(U)tilize what you already know. Ask yourself, "What do I instinctivley know?" Use common sense. Use your strengths in communicating. If you know you are a good listener capitalize on that; if you know you are a great debator; if you know you are a great writer or speaker use it to your advantage.
(N)avigate your way through road blocks by talking with others (mentors and those who share your vision). This is different than ordinary shop talk because you have an express purpose for the conversation. There is a quote in the Bible which states, " In the multitude of counselors there is safety." Sounding boards provide neccessary feedback to help us navigate when we are out of frequency, off course or just plain stuck.
(I)ncline to listen. This is very important. Attend to what is being verbalized and also what is being communicated within the environment. Nonverbal cues can be just as important as what's being verblaized: this is where clarification and observation are paramount in understanding intent. When people are speaking also listen for what is NOT being stated. It can give you clues into what they are really thinking. The environment can communicate aspects of the person's personality and preferences. It also gives you a notion how well you will fit in their environment.
Be more inclined to hear others. Let them express themselves freely; it places them at ease and conveys interest and respect. Allowing people to be at ease also allows them to be more receptive to what you hae to say especially if what you have to say is difficult to hear. Everyone wants to be heard; this is great, but to listen is better. You may learn something new or at least confirm what you did know. If you get good advice, incline to listen.
(C)onduct yourself in a professional manner. How we behave can be very telling about our character. It's not just in the office that conduct matters, but everywhere ( Business meetings, holiday parties, retreats and even home). It can make the difference in whether you are promoted to a higher position or out the door. It could be the sealed deal or sealed fate of doom. Your conduct could result in triumphant victory or defeat of victory.
Be on time, be prepared, and be thourough. Allow your conduct to communicate the best of who you are and can be. Many times I got the job not based on what I knew, but how I behaved. I worked in health care most of my career. One day this woman came into the place I worked in unannounced requesting information. I was very busy, but I took the time to meet with her. The information she requested I did not know and I informed her of my lack of knowledge. However, I did not stop there; I told her I will find the answer from someone who does know. The next week that woman was offering me a position in her company I never knew existed. She stated she was impressed with how I conducted myself; I took the time and went the extra mile. Never at that initial meeting did I discuss my job. It turned out to be one the best experiences I had.
Conduct reflects our beliefs and beliefs our attitudes. We practice what we believe. One wise person said of attitudes, " Your attitude determines your altitude." If you have a great outlook and a professional manner people are more willing to invest in you and to forgive your shortcomings. Character does count, and your conduct most certainly communicates you character.
(A)ppreciate what you do have. Appreciate others who mentor or support you. Don't forget to communicate your gratitude no matter how small or great the deed in your favor has been done. In doing so you are sowing seeds in the crop of success. Send a thank you note, flowers or treat someone to lunch. Telling someone you appreciate them is good, and following uup with deeds is better. You create a feeling that can be long lasting providing many returns in many ways for your thoughtfulness. I'm not talking about currying favor for the sake of currying favor, but genuine appreciation even to those who show you little. Doors that were open to you remain open, and avenues that did not materialize may appear. Being thankful is God's will for all mankind.
(T)each others what you know. Don't shy away from the role of mentor or educator. The exchange can be astronomical. Please understand that teaching others what you know is not the ssame as being a know-it-all; first your advice must be solicited by an interested party and second, it should be done through an appropriate format. As a reward for being apt to teach you learn something new. Sometimes the teacher does become the student. Your oral and written skills improve; your knowledge base increases. When you give you receive in return.
(E)dify others to others. The trap of gossip can be escaped by choosing to build others up. One way I escape the gin of gossip is to say to the complaintant, "that may be your experience, but give them credit for..." Sometimes I compliment the complaintant's own strengths to them and to others. This takes the focused off of perceived faults of others and affirms them. The Bible shows "A good word spoken in due season is like marrow to the bones, and Iron sharpens iron." If someone is not as sharp as you need or want them to be apply constructive critism and build them up. "When you lift others up, you lift yourself up."
Next is commitment. One must have vision and goals that are written followed by plans to
implement them. Commitment means being consistent with your vision. The method may change, but the goal is the constant. Your habits and efforts must relfect this. Commitment means putting in the time and effort until the goals are met. Coping out is not an option; see it through and follow up.
Some tools to help keep one committed and focused are: Break tasks down. Set small goals daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly. See the big picture, and pay attention to detail; reward yourself along the way ( reasonably) for accomplishments; dream big, and dream often. Surround yourself with images of your dream, or desire; reevaluate plan of actions. Compare and contrast what you know. How you define a problem will determine how you fix it; take notice of what's happening in your environment; prepare your work. My former boss used to say to me, "Plan your work and work your plan."; plan for several possible outcomes; calendar important dates; don't fear failure nor success. The failures provide accuity to our vision if we learn from them; the successes build confidence, and your confidence convinces others ito believe in you. It validates who you are in their minds. The victories fuel passion; write lists. List your goals, strengths, weaknesses, acheivements and resources. Write goals from every list.
Commit, be consistent and follow-up. Before you know it, the canvas of your life will display a beautiful potrait of your dreams. The journey may be divinely inspired, but the commitment comes from you.
My third C is Curiosity. THINK. If you think with a lazy mind, you are going to be lazy. If you think with a curious mind you are going to be successful. I twice had two people state to me during interviews that I did not have to think; everything was already thought out for me. They said it with such enthusiasm as to convince me this is a good thing. Of course, I had sense enough to know better that it's never as easy as they say. I replied in each case, I was ccreated with a mind and I intend to use it. I have no intention of falling into the category oof, "if you don't use it, you lose it." Being intellectually lazy can lead you off course away from your commitment. It will lead to confusion about your motivations. Curiosity is intrigue; it helps you be creative.
Have a healthy curiosity. Surround yourself by others you admire and probe them. Ask them: how did you accomplish... where did you learn... who inspires you to... what do I need to do to... why did you become..? Children are very good at this because they are eager to grow and uto understand the world around them; they are naturally inquisitive. We need to tap back into tthis instinctive quality. Inventors invent because they keep asking questions. Scientist solve because they keep asking questions; they even ask if they are asking the right questions.
Read. If you are not inclined to do so you are missing a great deal of information. Read up on your interest and enough of what interests you little. Read trade/professional journals, news, literature, the Bible and the dictionary.
By asking thought provoking questions about your beliefs and asking the tough questions of others you can draw distinction to yourself. Your knowledge base increases, you build confidence, you become creative and energetic. Being curious enough will help you get the information and validation you need in order to achieve success. Curiosity is intrigue, and what intrigues us we tend to go after with verocity. Think.
Compromise is part of my formula to succeed. First I'll clarify that I do not mean to copmromise one's integrity, safety, the confidence of others nor the law. In this sense of the word it means to negotiate. In compromise one is not setteling for but setteling on the issues. The compromise is to establish a quid pro quo status (you win;I win).
For instance, when the answer is maybe or no you negotiate for a slow yes. When the answer is "I can't", negotiate with "Tell me what you can do?". "When the answer is, "not today", negotiate with, "Tell me when would be the best time?" When the answer is, " I don't see how", negotiate with, "How can I help you?" If the responce is, "No one has ever... negotiate with, Why not? Give me one good reason why we can." Bartering is as old as civilization, and most people understand the language even if they are uncomfortable with the practice. This is why compromise is an art. One has to be artful in placing people at ease so that the door does not close altogether or it swings wide open.
Compromise is not giving in; it's setting yourself up to win by being gratuitous to others without pandering. It's recognizing their hardships or limits; it may mean placing their need before your own. It's selling a counterpoint without be objectionable. The art is in knowing when a no is really a no or the beginning of a beautiful relationship. If the no is final, mentally shout in your head "Ok, NEXT"; this little exercise will keep you focused not stressed. Some way, somehow, somewhere someone will say yes. It may not come in the form expected, but it will come. Be enthusiastic in your endeavors to compromise. If the going is tough be persistent. "The race is not given to the swift nor the strong, but to those that endure unitl the end."
Last but certainly not least, Consciousness is what it takes to savour success. Be aware of: your health. If you are unwell meeting goals and confronting obstacles can be even more challenging; be aware of the needs of others. Thoughfulness goes a long way in lonely world. Know those with whom you labor (thier limits, expectations, conduct etc.); be conscious of changes in technology, laws, social norms, agendas...; be conscious of past experiences (good and bad), and draw strength from them; "know thyself", be aware of what your own consccience is telling you; be conscious of your spiritual walk; be conscious of the present time, and certainly be concious of your goals.
For, what we are conscious of, we attend to. Being conscious puts wind in the sails of your creativity by keeping you focused. Have you ever watched a person running around doing a lot of everything but getting nothing done? They appear not to be conscious of what they are doing, and soon confusion sets in and chaos ensues. Their sense of direction and priorities are mixed up. That's the price for not being aware. Hence the phrase, "step back and take stock of what you are doing." When conscious you are responsible, productive and creative. Even in utter chaos you can remain calm and focused.
Communication, Commitment, Curiosity, Compromise and Consciousness are all part of my recipe for success. This is what I've learned thus far on my journey; this is what I know. Best wishes on your journey to succeed in all that you do.