Success 2020: 10 Tips for Victory in an Ever Changing World

By Coach Jeremy Hoy, MS, CSCS, SCCC, PES, TPI1, RPR1

With the uncertainty and chaos we have been faced with in 2020, it has given us an opportunity to reflect on what really matters, reconnect with our family, and spend time on personal growth. Operation ' Success 2020 ' is still in full effect. 

For this post, I have re-written a post I had a few years ago. While 2020 has presented new challenges for almost all of us, I understand that we are all going through a variety of things and emotions. Take a deep breath.  Pause.  Reflect.  Remember, it’s hard to beat a person who never gives up. This year ain’t over yet, and we can still find success in the midst of it.

Tip #1: Set goals and write them down

In a Yale University study, they showed that at the graduation ceremonies in 1953, less than 3% of the graduating class had goals with a written plan on how to accomplish them. Twenty years later (1973 for those of you who are not good at math), the same class was interviewed at a class reunion and it was determined that the 3% that had clear goals that were written down were worth more than the other 97% total. Set goals and write them down. Decide exactly what you want, where you want to go, and resolve to get there.

Tip #2: Make a plan and stick to it

You need a plan to get from point A (Where you are now) to point B (where you want to be—your goals), just like you need a map to get from where you are to where you want to be.  Success 2020 needs a good plan, and should be broken up with additional goals or benchmarks that will ultimately lead to the main goal you have.  A good plan will also list all the potential obstacles you can think of that might get in your way, and have solutions to keep you moving forward.

Tip #3: Take Action

Any plan is only worth the paper its written on unless you TAKE ACTION.  Nike hit it on the head with their “Just do it!” slogan. Getting started and taking action is often the hardest part.  Motivational speaker Les Brown once said “You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.”

Tip #4: Never stop learning

We will never know it all, but we can learn a lot.  Our brain is capable of learning and remembering a vast amount of data.  Even the smartest recorded people ever were using less than 10% of their brain.  In the ever changing world we live in (especially in 2020), it is imperative that we continually learn, and think independently, in order to succeed.  As important as it is to never stop learning, and realizing that life is a journey of learning, remember that knowledge alone is not powerful, but rather it is the application of knowledge that is powerful.  Learn, think for yourself (or be controlled by others who will think for you), and take action.

Tip #5: Network, Network, Network

The old adage that ‘It’s not what you know but who you know’ has a lot of merit.  However, if you want to be super successful then you should know a lot, and know a lot of people.  Remember names, faces, dates, meetings, etc.  If you are not good at this, then make an effort to get better.  We are able to get good at anything we put time and effort (discipline) into.  And don’t just remember this info, use it.  Truly network.  Give to others in any way that you feel might be of value to any one you come in contact with. Do what you can to help other people and make them better. Do this, without expecting anything in return. Give and you shall receive. Zig Ziglar said “Help enough people get what they want, and you can have everything you want.”

Tip #6: Become a better communicator

I’m not talking about getting better at texting, or at email.  I’m talking about human interaction (although in 2020 there seems to be a movement against letting humans be humans and do human things).  Learn to get better at listening and connecting. Listening and connection, truly communicating will be a key in building relationships.  Listening (with intent) will tune you in to other people’s problems, which allows you to help create better solutions.  Communicate and help people solve their problems.

Tip #7: Don’t be average

Average people get average results and live average lives.  They only give about 50% effort and get only about 50% in return.  Average people live average lives and celebrate mediocrity.  They accept and expect rewards and hand-outs for participation, not for excellence, hard work, or success.  There are even a lot of intelligent people living average lives. They don’t see the big picture, or chose not to put in the work to put it all together.  Don’t be average. There is no room for this fixed mindset in Success 2020. 

Tip #8: Adapt

Life is full of changes, daily.  Great opportunities abound for those who can adapt to the changes and keep moving forward.  Change is inevitable.  You need to be able to roll with the punches.  Innovate and adapt.  Keep learning, networking, adapting, and taking action.  “It’s not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive, but those who can best manage change,” said Charles Darwin.  As you face challenges, being able to adapt and keep moving forward are key.

Tip #9: Take chances

“Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk to avoid at all costs and that is the risk of doing nothing”—Denis Waitley.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you will keep getting what you’ve got.  You need to be able to take risks in order to get the reward(s) you want, and to hit your goals.  You will need to go out on a limb to get your fruit.

Tip #10: Don’t be Afraid

Don’t let fear paralyze you or prevent you from going after what you want.  There will be struggle, and challenges, and sometimes failures and setbacks.  Don’t be afraid of failing.  This is how we learn.  Adapt and keep moving forward.  It’s not that the bravest men and women in the world have an absence of fear, it’s that they do what is needed to do regardless of fear. Adversity causes some people to break, and others to break records.  Victor Kiam said “even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.”  Don’t be afraid, take chances, take action and keep moving forward.