How to Model Success Personally and Professionally
6 Principles for Success in Your Personal and Professional Life
When we think of success principles, some personality traits and characteristics come to mind, such as passion, optimism, persistence, creativity, self-discipline, confidence, a commitment to learning, and a desire for continuous improvement. However, just because these are the characteristics we might imagine, it doesn’t mean that measures need to be taken behind the scenes to model success both personally and professionally.
Check out our list of 6 success principles that you can model both personally and professionally. Then, when you put these tactics into practice, you might find that you, too, will embody the very characteristics mentioned above.
- Focus on the possible.
Nothing can be more frustrating than setting a goal or being held to an expectation that isn’t possible. One of the best ways to keep your goals in check uses the SMART goal principle. Though it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stretch yourself, you can ensure you are focusing on the possible by setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
- Focus on today, not tomorrow or yesterday.
Sure, it is essential to have dreams, as we stated earlier. But if you focus too much on tomorrow, you might lose sight of the opportunities in front of you today. And just the same, if you focus too much on what has happened in the past, you might also lose sight of what is right in front of you. Each day, make an effort to embrace the day and put your best foot forward. Use your daily successes to teach you what worked and what didn’t and motivate you for the days to follow.
- Learn to communicate well.
Professionally, good communication skills are necessary so you and others can assess and understand information accurately and expeditiously. When there is poor communication, it means there is more misunderstanding and frustration. And the same holds true in your personal life as well. Practicing open and honest communication is critical, and so is learning how to deliver messages effectively and positively.
- Take time off.
In general, American workers tend to receive and take fewer vacation days than their international counterparts. On average, workers in the United States get only 14 to 15 days off per year. And though the time off may be given, many people don’t take it. But a failure to periodically take time off from work throughout the year can be hazardous to your overall health. Taking time off can help you reset mentally, be more productive when you return to work, rekindle relationships, and stay connected to those you care about. It also demonstrates success principles by modeling positive behaviors to those around you by practicing self-care, prioritizing work-life balance, and making time for interests outside the workplace.
- Do things with those you love.
There are many benefits to social connection, especially with those close to us. In particular, doing things with those we love can help lessen anxiety and depression. Further, it can help us regulate our emotions and increase our self-esteem and empathy (which is coincidentally also helpful in communication). When we take the time to connect, our bodies and minds feel better and we are in a better mental state to put the success principles into practice.
- Stay healthy.
We only get this one shot at a healthy life, and it is up to us to practice healthy habits. In addition to practicing good nutrition and getting an adequate amount of exercise throughout the week, it is also essential to pay a trip to the doctor once per year for a wellness examination and the dentist twice per year for a dental cleaning and oral examination. And if you are feeling stressed, your dentist can help with treatments for stress-related TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction, also commonly referred to as TMD.
Make a twice-annual dental cleaning one of your personal success principles.
Your oral health serves as a gateway to your overall health. Not only that, but your smile can speak volumes about who you are. So make sure proper oral care stays high on your priority list. Be sure to brush those pearly whites (and remind your children to do so) at least twice per day, floss once a day, and rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash. Further, if you are in the Anchorage, Alaska, area, be sure to request an appointment with Valley Dental Clinic.
The Valley Dental Clinic team will help you prioritize your dental care so you are ready to take on the world — or at least embody the success principles for your professional and personal life. We look forward to seeing you.