Success Advice
3 Things You Need to Do to Be in the Top 1% of Your Chosen Field
Everyone endeavors to be a champion; to be a leader in their field. Many people get frustrated when they simply do not see that process involving as expeditiously as they would have anticipated. But the fact is that many people are already in the top 1% of their field. And, if they would simply expand their horizons and look at alternate ways of viewing their successes, they may see that.
Below are three ways that you may consider as pathways to viewing yourself in the top 1% of your chosen field:
1. Know your category
There are many measurements that can be utilized in most chosen professions to gauge success. We tend to only look at the end result, the finish line, but there are many baton handoffs that occur between the gun sounding at the start and the flag at the finish line. For example, in sales we tend to look at percent of quota as a method of gauging success.
Closing sales and percent of quota is one way of assessing your level of success in the field of sales, but think for a moment of other gauges of success that will move us toward a greater percent of closing the sale. For example, if you are in a high cold call sales environment, the number of calls you make may be above the average, significantly so that it places you in the top 1% of all callers.
“The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.” – Colin R. Davis
This behavior must ultimately lead to the more macro measurement of percent of quota. However, your calling behavior should be celebrated as you being in the top individuals who place calls. Perhaps it is your closing on appointment stats or maybe it’s referrals received?
In my field, that of training and keynoting, most individuals look at income as being the top 1%. I have no illusions over the fact that I am not earning what Anthony Robbins, Brian Tracy, or other luminaries in the field earn. However, my statistics on LinkedIn at the very top of the LinkedIn food chain. My social selling index places me in the top 1% of individuals in management consulting. So, guess what? I am the top 1% at least of something! And that will lead to higher income.
What about you? Think about what criteria you can use to measure yourself that will lead you to an elevated level of status in your chosen field? And here’s a bonus, that status elevation may lead to an increase in self-confidence. That may lead to an increase in the overall macro measurement you are looking to attain.
2. Never stop learning
The old saying, “you are either green and growing, or ripe and rotting” holds true. The fact is that to be in the top 1% of any field requires constant and continuous focus on learning both within the field, and outside of the field. The notion of learning outside of your chosen field is important as you begin to take ancillary information and incorporate it into your daily activities. The end result is new and exciting ways of managing yourself in your business by taking what people have done outside of your business and applying it within.
May I suggest a formalized and structured time for daily learning. It could be as simple as 15 minutes a day. Choose a time when you will be uninterrupted or have the ability to set up your environment where you will not be interrupted. Then think about what knowledge you want to acquire. It may be a book that you buy, a video that you watch, or feed that you read. But the constant repetitive pattern of the behavior called “acquiring knowledge” must lead you to the top 1% of your chosen field.
3. Have fun on the way to the top
You may have heard that success is a journey and not a destination. That is also true of entering the top 1% of your chosen field. If every day you wake up with a sour stomach and a grimace on your face wondering how you’re going to claw your way up the wall of success, when you get there chances are the first emotion you will feel is resentment for the arduous journey that brought you to the pinnacle of your field.
“Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” – Jim Rohn
But when every day is a joy because you enjoy what you do, the people you do that with, and your inevitable ascension, each day becomes a wonderful thread woven into the fabric of a joyful and successful career.
I have seen many people over the years in my training and consultancy become so obsessed with the goal that they lose focus on the path. I have also seen individuals climbing with unbridled enthusiasm and doing whatever they can to bring others along with them. That brings me to a question you may want to answer:
Can I really make it to the top 1% of my chosen field if I do not bring other people along with me?
Success Advice
The Courage to Break Free: Finding Purpose Beyond the Paycheck
Sold all my stuff and headed south. Again. Car? Gone. Furniture? Gone. Storage unit? Nope.
Sold all my stuff and headed south. Again. Car? Gone. Furniture? Gone. Storage unit? Nope. I’m down to what fits in one suitcase (plus a closet in my mom’s house—shoutout moms). (more…)
Success Advice
Is Failing Really That Important? Here’s the Truth
Failure makes people flexible, receptive, and more accommodating.
Facing failure and criticism is the most challenging task for any human being. Everyone loves success and hates failure. (more…)
Success Advice
Why You Shouldn’t Discount A Brick And Mortar Store In 2025
We’re constantly told about how stores are closing down and how shoppers prefer online options, but is it worth questioning this theory?
In 2024, you’d be forgiven for thinking that physical shopping is a thing of the past. We’re constantly told about how stores are closing down and how shoppers prefer online options. But is it worth questioning this theory? (more…)
Success Advice
How to Alter Your Business Approach With Technological Advancements
Keeping up with technological trends has become a challenge for almost every business owner.
Technology’s evolution has impacted everything, and business is no exception. Keeping up with technological trends has become a challenge for almost every business owner. Entrepreneurs unable to do so are being wiped out of the market.
There is no doubt that AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) have taken over the business world. These technological advancements are impacting decision-making, success percentages, and other entrepreneurial aspects.
Adapting to these developments is integral to business success. Let’s explore how you can accomplish these milestones.
Embed the strength of AI and ML.
AI has modified business operations in major ways. For instance, companies have employed bots for customer support. These bots go through an effective learning process via Machine Learning before being able to answer like humans.
According to CyberGhost (CG) bots can also perform detailed data analytics and make business moves with high success percentages.
ML is used more for the analysis of data chunks and generating successful predictions. This simply means that business owners do not have to worry about large-scale financial losses.
In terms of deployment and usage, a reputed company like Netflix employs machine learning for decision-making.
Blockchain is increasing the count of business opportunities
Tampering of financial transactions is quite common and causes severe monetary damage to customers. With the rise of digital payments, this risk has increased.
Blockchain is used to elevate your experience for monetary transfers. It combats penetrating events to extract confidential customer information.
Most business sectors are using block chain but finance and supply chain management sections have a higher count. These two corporate sections have several monetary deposits and withdrawals taking place.
In terms of percentage, approximately 72% and 5% of finance and supply chain firms have implemented block chain successfully.
Dedicate Yourself to Continuous Learning and Individual Development
You invest in learning some of the very important skills, including digital marketing, financial management, and how to gain customers as an entrepreneur.
You need to set up your knowledge base about doing business on Coursera and Udemy with the basics that are necessary for the business, building further by networking with experts through webinars.
Besides, Agile methodology will introduce elasticity to your company: this review and feedback system with further correction regularly will allow for enhancing efficiency and promptly reacting to the market.
Developing key skills to achieve goals
Running a business successfully is not only about having niche/domain knowledge. Business owners need to have communication / soft skills as well in addition to niche information.
Here are some key technical/domain-related areas that business owners should have a strong grip on.
Data Storage on Cloud: These days, companies do not store their data on physical servers. Therefore business owners should know how data is stored/edited/removed/updated via AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and other platforms.
Data Analysis/Interpretation Qualities: These days, data is as precious as gold. Business owners with data analysis abilities make correct predictions. As a result, their ventures grow in volume.
Development/Coding Knowledge
Programming knowledge gives business owners an edge whether the application is developed in-house or outsourced. It assists in getting updates deployed and handling application underperformance without getting professional support every time.
Hacking proof framework
There is no benefit of having an advanced automated system if can be penetrated. Successful business owners have above-average knowledge of cyber security and hacking attempts. They are able to choose top-notch anti-hacking software without much of an ambiguity.
Communication Abilities/Soft Skills
Here are some key communication qualities that business owners should have:
Communication/Conversation: Business owners should use to-the-point sentences in both written and oral communication.
Issue Resolution Abilities: Business owners should be able to drill down to problems and solve them. This is done successfully only if an entrepreneur has in-depth business domain knowledge.
Agile Implementations
It is mandatory for business owners to have knowledge of iterative/agile models. With such a competitive environment, it is impossible for business owners to succeed without adopting an agile framework.
Create a productive well-crafted Business Strategy
A productive business venture starts with a clear vision. The first factor making a business successful is the idea behind it. It helps with endless growth and combating competition successfully. Katherine Philips once mentioned that business goals are inevitable if goals are set concretely.
- Goals should be based on smart achievements instead of complexity. Focus on the value that each one of them adds.
- Business objectives should not be vague. Key indicators should be constructed to measure the success/failure of each milestone.
- Be realistic when setting goals. Do not aim at impossible milestones since they can be demotivating.
- Milestones/goals need to be time-bound. Set a completion deadline for each one of them.
- Business goals should not be alien. Owners can think out of the box but not be obsolete / unrelated.
Create a productive well-crafted Business Strategy
Business owners cannot succeed without having a network. Some tips help in this case. Attend conferences and professional gatherings to connect with other entrepreneurs.
Here are some other related points business owners should pay attention to.
- Attend meetings and conferences to stay updated with trends and meet business owners who already have well-set ventures. This helps in enhancing the learning curve of new / growing entrepreneurs.
- Being a part of business communities/groups is very productive. When one shares opinions and discusses decision-making tactics, it helps in preventing errors and enhancing success rate.
- Even the most experienced business owners have mentors as learning never stops. Take part in mentorship programs so there is an assurance that you are following the correct roadmap.
Conclusion
There is absolutely no doubt that business dimensions have evolved with technological advancements. Successful entrepreneurs have grabbed these changes in due course of time and continue to evolve. On the other hand, people following old paths and conventional steps fade out of competition. In a nutshell, keep an eye on the processes and practices you follow as these factors decide success rate.
-
Success Advice4 weeks ago
10 Micro Financial Habits for More Wealth and Peace of Mind
-
Life3 weeks ago
Here’s The Thing About Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning
-
Motivation3 weeks ago
From Couch Potato to Go-Getter: A Step-by-Step Motivation Plan for Everyone
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
5 Smart Financial Moves Every Entrepreneur Should Consider
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
How Entrepreneurs Can Cultivate Courage and Use It as a Superpower
-
Entrepreneurs2 weeks ago
6 Things to Do Before Starting a Business
-
Entrepreneurs2 weeks ago
Best Practices for Businesses to Manage Their Data Safely and Securely
-
Startups2 weeks ago
How to Market Your Startup on a Tight Budget
3 Comments