In the classic book The 80/20 Principle, author Richard Koch lays out his 10 Golden Rules of Success, applicable to both business and to life in general. I have my own particular take on them, which is a little different than Koch’s, and are more specific to the creative lifestyle.
There’s a saying in Katie’s family: Never go to yard sales thrown by people poorer than you. That’s not to disparage the poor, but you go to yard sales looking for treasures, right? You want to find bargains on items that are as good as or better than the things you already have. You’re seeking affordable ways to trade up.
Learning from the best does mean getting the best education you can afford. It means finding out who the best people in your creative field are, and learn how they found success. It also means learning how they failed, and where they’ve left opening. Figure out what they don’t have that you do, what they’re not doing that you can, and get into that niche.
Learning from the best also means following best practices, which includes controlling your influences. Here are 5 tips for doing that:
- Surround yourself with people who support you, rather than people who tear you down or hold you back.
- Control your media diet, and only listen to music that uplifts you, read books that educate you, and watch movies and shows that inspire you.
- Control your environment, making sure your life is well-lit and free of clutter (those two things alone are my key to a stress-free work environment), and get outside for fresh air and sunshine on a regular basis.
- Question your motives, but never question your abilities. Never ask yourself if you can, but always ask yourself if you should.
- Journal both your successes and failures, as well as the good and bad you take note of in others. Do more of the first, and less of the last.
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