The most successful people see themselves not as experts, but as students.
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Updated 4 years ago,April 1, 2021
We often assume that success is something we achieve.
We are successful not because of how well we do, but because of how well we think.
Jason Strull
More than something we achieve, success is something we build.
And we do so by adopting specific thought processes and building a resilient mind.
One right mental shift after the other.
Success is not about what we achieve.
Its about what comes before that.
These are eight mental shifts you must adopt if you want to become your most successful self.
They may be uncomfortable, but they are necessary.
This is what everyone tells you to do.
This is the way you invest in your most precious asset: yourself.
The most successful people see themselves not as experts, but as students.
They dont assume they can work with what they knowthey are certain they dont know enough.
Which is exactly how they eventually step out of mediocrity and achieve excellence.
More often than not, rejection is an opportunity for growth.
They are giving you a reason to work harder and maybe on something different.
When something fails or ends, its usually because it wasnt the work you were supposed to do.
Ask yourself and the people around you why something is the way it is?
Who is benefiting and who is suffering from it?
Is there anything you or someone else can do to change it?
That job offer says Austin-based candidates only and you live in New York?
It may require time, but questioning is the first step toward knowledge and change.
Asking if something can be changed or improved is what eventually leads to an actual change.
By doing so repeatedly, you adjust to higher standards you wouldnt even be able to envision by yourself.
The importance of this process of extensive revision is not just the willingness to perfect and sharpen your craft.
It is, most importantly, an exercise of humility.
When you seek advice from more than one person, you become used to being corrected and criticized.
This is essential to build resilience and mental strength.
This is how you learn to leave the ego behind, so you could focus on what really matters.
The most successful people didnt have it easy.
This is why delegating the least important tasks is crucial at some point.
You cant work effectively if you dont have someone to help you out.
Lists may leave you feeling more organized, but they dont move you further.
A plan, instead, gives you the blueprint you should probably succeed.
It ensures certain deadlines are met, work is structured, and nothing is left unattended.
A plan can be a simple map of your week or a detailed checklist of your morning routine.
Either way, having a plan is essential.
Instead of Rewarding Your Efforts, Reward Your Outcomes
This is the truth no one wants to hear.
Just because you have been working hard or for a long time on something doesnt mean its good.
Wanting something to work out doesnt make it successful.
Decide what brings in real results and prioritize that.
Everything else should either get dismissed or left to be reviewed when theres time for it.
As much as you love that chapter, if its not serving the story, it must go.
Focus on progress and outcomes, and your efforts will be rewarded in the end.
Instead of wondering whether or not you are good enough, commit to making yourself good enough.
Do it for the possibility.
The possibility that even a small step forward could set the stage for a thousand more.
Because thats how we get unstuck and move out from where we are to where we dream to be.
By taking small steps and taking small risks.
One after the other.
Success is not about how much we have on our plate.
Its about how much we could have on our plate if we wanted to.
Above all, do not underestimate the power of even the tiniest mental shift.
Your life is a reflection of your mindset.
Level up your thought processes and everything else will rise to meet the new standard.
