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Success Advice

7 Experiences You Must Go Through to Develop a Winner’s Mindset

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Going through various experiences in life has taught me what it takes to achieve your highest potential. I know if you’re reading this you want more out of life and you may be stuck at the moment. What I’ve found to be true is that there’s not much of a difference talentwise between winners and average performers in any area of life. Successful people are simply willing to do what most other people aren’t willing to do. The key difference is in their level of desire to work on and realize their dreams.

Here are 7 experiences you must be willing to go through to win at the highest level:

1. Failing over and over

It’s ironic but the most successful people in the world are the ones with the most failures under their belt. Most people think that success is a straight line from point A to point B but that’s not reality. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb and founder of General Electric, did over a thousand failed experiments. He only succeeded after those thousand failed attempts and as a result we have domestic light today.

We learn more from our mistakes than we do from our victories even though none of us like losing. Most people are afraid of failing partly because of the education system that looks down on people that do. Avoiding mistakes at all costs is the biggest mistake and an injustice to the potential inside of you. What’s important is to learn from your mistakes so you can make better decisions next time.

“Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be” – John Wooden

2. Facing rejection

Every human being has an innate desire and need to be loved and accepted by other people. The only problem is that not everyone is going to be loving and accepting of you no matter what you do. What you must understand is that even if some people reject you, there are others that love you.

Learning to handle rejection is important if you want to achieve anything significant in your life. In most cases, it’s not you that people reject but the things you represent. So don’t take it personal. The most successful salespeople are the ones that understand this and they don’t let that rejection stop them.

They keep going until they find the ideal customers who share their enthusiasm for their products. As long as you’re secure in who you are as a person, you’ll be in a position to handle rejection.

3. Hitting rock bottom

The year 2020 was one that changed so much about our lives in unexpected ways. For some people, it catapulted them to greater levels of success while it was a tragedy for others. Besides the death toll due to the coronavirus, a lot of people lost their livelihood and struggled to survive. The strain on families has been unprecedented even now as people try to recover from the negative effects.

The experience has been a blessing in disguise for those that chose to see it that way. For one, losing everything that you value the most gives you a new perspective of things that really matter. Some people value their jobs so much they neglect their families, yet their employers don’t value them as much. I know for sure that such experiences have led others to become entrepreneurs and realize their true potential.

4. Dealing with haters

The more successful you become in life, the bigger a target you’ll become for the haters. One of the worst self-imposed prisons people subject themselves to is worrying about other people’s opinions. People are always going to talk about you and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

When you have people taking shots at you, know that they are envious of what you have accomplished. They wish to be in your position but can’t because they are not willing to do what it takes. They have dreams of their own for which they have excuses for why they haven’t achieved them.

This is why hanging around the right people is important because there are those that are threatened by your success. The people you should spend the most time around are those who will celebrate you instead of shoot you down.

5. Becoming authentic

Emulating other people in some respects is necessary to become successful in any given area of life. This is what some call the law of matching and modeling. This doesn’t mean that you have to become exactly like they are. Doing so is a disservice not only to yourself, but also to the people that look up to you.

When you’re not yourself, other people can tell and they’ll find it difficult to truly connect with you. Why do human beings try to be like everyone else? It’s because it gives them a sense of acceptance and comfort though it’s a false one. It’s so much easier being yourself instead of trying to live other people’s lives.

When you choose to become authentic is when you start attracting the right people into your life; and those that shouldn’t be in your life will begin to fall away as a result.

6. Mastering your emotions

Emotional intelligence is one of the most important things you must develop to realize your full potential. On your way to the top you’re going to experience a roller coaster of emotions before you get there. On some days you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world and other times, you’ll feel like a failure. The most successful people however, don’t let their emotions direct their lives but use them as motivation. Whether it’s the exhilaration of winning or the pain of losing, they use their emotions to do what they must do.

There’s a powerful lesson I learned from a book called, “Defined: Who God Says You Are”. The lesson is that while feelings are powerful communicators, they are not reliable sources of truth. One of the most memorable examples of this that come to mind was a critical basketball game involving Michael Jordan.

In the 1997 NBA Finals the Chicago Bulls faced a motivated Utah Jazz team with some talented players as well. With the series tied at 2-2 and Chicago playing on the road, Michael Jordan got sick with food poisoning. Average players would have sat out of the game but he felt he had an obligation towards his teammates to perform. He played through the pain and had one of his greatest games ever and led the team to victory.

“Feelings are much like waves, we can’t stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf.” – Jonatan Martensson

7. Getting uncomfortable with your present state

Last but not least, you’re never going to break through to your highest potential by staying in your comfort zone. This is not to say that you should all of a sudden quit your job and start chasing your dreams; that would be foolish to say the least. What I mean is you should start stretching yourself and putting yourself in situations that will force you to grow.

The more you refuse to settle for the scraps life gives you, the more you’ll understand what you’re made of. You must become comfortable with being uncomfortable and you’ll see yourself accomplishing more than you ever thought possible. Sometimes you need that kick to push you to the next level. When you’ve been beaten down for a long time at some point you’ll feel that enough is enough.

If you’ve come across people in that position, you’ll find that they have a furious intensity about them flowing through their bodies. They become so determined to win they do whatever it takes to eliminate all obstacles in their way.

Which of these resonate with you the most? Comment below!

Sija Mafu is an Online Enthusiast and Personal Development Fan. His vision is to see young people take responsibility for their lives and create bright futures for themselves, their families and society at large. He runs the Motivated2Inspire blog to inspire young people to pursue their life purpose. Also check out his free training courses to set you up for a life of success.

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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Mark Manson life lessons on success
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In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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