There is a famous saying that successful people are contagious. They have a way to inspire others to dream through the way they do things.If any, you should surround yourself with positive, successful people who will have a beneficial influence on you.
Recently, i-Learn East Africa participated in Ajira Yangu business plan competition; a collaborative effort between International Labour Organization and National Economic Empowerment Council to support young entrepreneurs.
The 13th of June was the day the winners were announced. After a whole day of inspirational talks and presentations from successful entrepreneurs. I could not help but reflect on the enormous amount of learning; I banked that day. I reflected on examples of successful people around me and the ones I have spent most of my time reading about. Successful people have somethings in common. Here are the three successful people secrets you should know.
1. They challenge the status quo
Ruge Mutahaba, when he completed his marketing degree, he could easily obtain a job as a marketing manager. Instead he opted to partner with his friend Joseph Kusaga to establish clouds media group.
Their decision was driven by the need to solve an immediate problem that is, lack of entertainment radio that focus on the youths. They challenged the status quo, pushed the limits and are still maintaining their vision to date.
Mercy Kitomari an amazing lady; with an amazing bubbly personality; received a good education; and was later employed by one of the banks in Tanzania. She decided to quit her job and established Nelwa Gelato; an ice cream outlet that is growing so fast in Tanzania. She has proven that it is possible to have high end ice cream products and we are happy to pay the extra to obtain the value she has added to our taste.
Her success story is not very different from Ms. Immaculate Steven, a soft spoken lady with an amazing passion in food catering. Ms. Steven decided to quit her job. She was not happy and only heavens knew when she abruptly opted to resign from her role. Immaculate created demand for her food by inviting the people; she targeted (that would later become her niche) to come for free meals at her place.
Deus Ntukamazina story is not so far from the others. He is reserved and his demeanor would never give you hints of the dreams; he has to become a motivational speaker and a Master of Ceremony. A few years back he had to do the inevitable to achieve his dream.
He challenged the status quo by announcing; to his close family members that he intends to become a master of ceremony (MC) ‘’what is wrong with you? After all that you are thinking of becoming a Master of Ceremony? He turned his hobby and his dream into an income generator and this year he celebrated 5 years as a successful master of ceremony.
Challenge the status quo, give people what they want in terms of the service they need and make use of your opportunities.
When Milton Hershey (http://www.biography.com/people/milton-hershey-9337133), an American confectioner and philanthropist founded the Hershey Chocolate Company; and the “company town” of Hershey, Pennsylvania, he challenged the status quo, he never followed the policies of those already in the business. In his words he said ‘’ if I had, I would never have made a go of it’’. He became a great success.
2. Successful people think
You will be surprised that. Thinking is what differentiate successful people from unsuccessful ones. There is a direct relationship between being a good thinker and a problem solver.
Thinkers solve problems and create opportunities that often lead to revenue generation. For one to come up with a brilliant idea, they must have encountered some kind of discomfort or a need for change.
If they think through the idea and ponder on various ways they can solve the problem, they come up with a solution. Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker mentioned ‘’ I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through – then follow through’’. He meant execution. There is no point of thinking if you do not follow through, if you do not execute.
Ruge Mutahaba and Joseph Kusaga realized that there was a gap, existing radio stations did not focus on entertainment and youth. They saw an opportunity, they gave people what they wanted and provided a solution.
The same is with all successful people. Good thing about thinking is you can become a better thinker. John C. Maxwell in his book, How Successful People Think, recommends ways you could use to engage in an ongoing process that would tremendously improve your thinking.
3. Successful people are Bold
If you get down to each and every person I mentioned above, you would notice that deep inside they are bold.
Successful people inspire us. Not because of bigger things accomplished drive the most trends cars and are fully loaded; but because they prompt change they act as activators. They push for progress not only for themselves but also to others around them.
Boldness is a leadership trait to be mastered; if at all you want to be successful. Let me give a quick example; we were once invited by the head of HR on a training; for sales representative.
During the meeting; we discovered that there was a huge misalignment in what management wanted and communicated in terms of expectations and goals; with what the sales representatives were doing.
My colleague, Modesta Mahiga-Mbughuni (a fine, eloquent, brainy, petite and fiercely bold lady) immediately demonstrated a bold trait, she decided to face the MD and said it. Bold people know that their words and action carry power and impact.
I have always been inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quote that; ‘’whatever you do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it’’.
These are the three successful people secrets; you should know as you walk yourself through the journey of success as an entrepreneur
