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Top 12 lessons about empowering yourself toward greatness and higher income

Posted by Cliff Locks On February 24, 2023 at 10:05 am

Top 12 lessons about empowering yourself toward greatness and higher income

These lessons are based on my personal experiences of taking charge of my career and starting three successful companies.

1. Set audacious goals that are achievable.

2. Confidence must come first.

3. You’re living the life that you’ve created.

4. Being busy does not equal being productive.

5. You’re only as good as those you associate with.

6. Quash your negative self-talk.

7. Avoid asking “What if?”

8. Schedule exercise and sleep.

9. Embrace failure.

10. Be accountable for your actions.

11. Embrace change.

12. Cultivate a thirst for knowledge.

13. Make a plan and take action by starting at step one above.

In conclusion, to empower yourself forward to greatness and higher income, it’s crucial to have written goals, confidence, surround yourself with positive influences, quash negative self-talk, and prioritize exercise and sleep. Embracing failure, being accountable, embracing change, thirsting for knowledge, making a plan, and taking action are all key components of success. Remember, you have the power to take charge of your career and create the life you want.

Goal setting must come first.

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Confidence must come second to goal setting.

Confidence is essential to achieving success in any aspect of life, including one’s career. It’s not something that can be easily obtained, but it’s a mindset that can be developed over time. Successful people exude confidence because they believe in themselves and their abilities. If you lack confidence, it can hold you back from taking risks, reaching for new challenges, and pursuing opportunities that will help you grow professionally.

If you want to build your confidence, start by setting realistic goals and taking small steps towards achieving them. Celebrate your successes, even the small ones, and learn from your failures. Practice positive self-talk and avoid comparing yourself to others. Remember that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

Building confidence takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the long run. Once you have confidence in yourself and your abilities, you’ll be more likely to take risks, pursue opportunities, and achieve your goals. Confidence is the foundation of a successful career and a fulfilling life.

You’re living the life that you’ve created.

The quote “You’re living the life that you’ve created” emphasizes the idea that our current life is a reflection of the choices we have made, both big and small, throughout our lives. It suggests that we have the power to shape our own destiny and create the life we desire by making intentional decisions.

If we want to change our current situation or create a different future, we need to take responsibility for our choices and actions and make deliberate changes to create the life we want. This can involve setting goals, making a plan, and taking action to make it a reality.

At the same time, it’s important to recognize that external factors such as economic circumstances, cultural and social norms, and systemic inequalities can also impact our life outcomes. However, even in the face of adversity, we can still make choices that can help us move towards a more fulfilling life.

Being busy does not equal being productive.

That’s a very true statement! Being busy can often give the illusion of being productive, but in reality, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are making progress or achieving your goals. It’s important to prioritize your tasks and make sure that you are focusing on the most important and impactful ones, rather than just filling up your schedule with busy work. Time management and prioritization are key skills that can help ensure that you are productive, not just busy.

You’re only as good as those you associate with.

The people you associate with can significantly impact your life, both personally and professionally. Surrounding yourself with positive and motivated individuals can inspire and motivate you to strive for success and personal growth.

Conversely, associating with negative or unmotivated individuals can have the opposite effect and hold you back from reaching your full potential.

It’s important to choose your associations carefully and seek out individuals who share your values and goals. Doing so can create a supportive and uplifting network that helps you grow and achieve your aspirations.

Quash your negative self-talk.

Negative self-talk can be harmful to your mental health and self-esteem. To quash negative self-talk, start by becoming aware of when and how you engage in it. Notice when you’re being overly critical of yourself, and challenge those negative thoughts with positive and realistic self-talk.

Here are some strategies you can use to quash negative self-talk:

1. Reframe negative thoughts: When you catch yourself having negative thoughts, reframe them into positive ones. For example, instead of saying “I’m not good enough,” try saying “I am capable and competent.”

2. Practice self-compassion: Be kind and gentle with yourself, just as you would be with a close friend. Treat yourself with the same care and understanding you would offer others.

3. Surround yourself with positivity: Spend time with people who lift you up and inspire you. Surround yourself with positive quotes, affirmations, and images.

4. Focus on your strengths: Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Celebrate your successes and remind yourself of your positive qualities.

5. Challenge negative thoughts: Ask yourself whether your negative thoughts are based in reality or are simply assumptions or beliefs. Often, negative thoughts are not based in fact, and challenging them can help you see things in a more positive light.

Avoid asking “What if?”

Avoiding asking “What if?” is a common piece of advice given to people who tend to worry excessively or ruminate on negative possibilities. When you ask “What if?” questions, you are essentially imagining worst-case scenarios and worrying about things that may never happen.

While it’s important to consider potential risks and prepare for the future, constantly asking “What if?” can lead to anxiety and prevent you from taking action. Instead of dwelling on negative possibilities, try to focus on the present moment and what you can do to move forward.

If you find yourself getting caught up in “What if?” thinking, it can be helpful to redirect your thoughts to more positive and productive ones. You can also try techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you reframe negative thoughts and reduce anxiety.

Schedule exercise and sleep.

Scheduling exercise and sleep is important for maintaining good physical and mental health. Exercise can help improve cardiovascular health, increase strength and endurance, reduce stress, and improve mood. Sleep is also crucial for overall health, as it helps the body repair and regenerates, and lack of sleep can lead to a host of health problems.

To ensure you are making time for exercise and sleep, scheduling them into your daily routine can be helpful. This means setting aside specific times for physical activity, whether it’s going to the gym, taking a walk, or doing a home workout. Similarly, it’s important to establish a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day to help regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

It’s also important to prioritize and make these activities non-negotiable parts of your daily routine. By doing so, you can establish healthy habits that will help you feel more energized, focused, and productive throughout the day.

Embrace failure.

Embracing failure means acknowledging that failure is a natural part of learning and being willing to learn from your mistakes. Rather than seeing failure as a personal shortcoming or a reflection of your worth, you can view it as an opportunity to grow and improve.

When you embrace failure, you become more resilient and adaptable. You are better able to handle setbacks and bounce back from them. You also become more open to trying new things and taking risks, which can lead to new opportunities and experiences.

Remember that some of the most successful people in history have experienced failure before achieving their goals. Failure is not a sign of weakness, but rather a stepping stone on the path to success.

Be accountable for your actions.

Being accountable for your actions means taking responsibility for your choices and the outcomes resulting from those choices. It involves owning up to your mistakes, not blaming others, and actively working to correct any negative consequences resulting from your actions. Accountability can be an essential part of personal growth and can help you develop self-discipline and self-control. By accepting responsibility for your actions, you can learn from your mistakes and make better choices in the future.

Embrace change.

Embracing change is a key aspect of personal growth and development. Change can be scary and uncomfortable, but it can also lead to new opportunities and experiences that we wouldn’t have otherwise had. We open ourselves up to learning, growth, and new possibilities by embracing change.

It’s important to remember that change is inevitable in life. Whether we like it or not, things are going to change, and it’s up to us to adapt and adjust. The more we resist change, the more difficult it becomes to move forward and achieve our goals.

One way to embrace change is to focus on the opportunities it presents rather than the challenges. Rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of a situation, try to find the positive and use it as a motivator to move forward.

Another way to embrace change is to take small steps towards your goals. It’s often easier to make progress in small increments rather than trying to make drastic changes all at once. By breaking your goals down into smaller, achievable steps, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated and see progress.

Finally, it’s important to be open-minded and willing to try new things. Embracing change often means stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. It may be uncomfortable initially, but the easier you do it, the easier it becomes.

Cultivate a thirst for knowledge.

Cultivating a thirst for knowledge is a great way to grow and develop as a person continually. By actively seeking out new information and learning opportunities, you can expand your understanding of the world and become more knowledgeable and skilled in different areas.

Here are some tips to help you cultivate a thirst for knowledge:

1. Read widely: Make it a habit to read books, articles, and other publications on a variety of topics. This will expose you to new ideas and perspectives and keep your mind engaged.

2. Seek out experts: Connect with people who are experts in fields that interest you. Ask them questions, seek their advice, and learn from their experience.

3. Attend workshops and conferences: Look for opportunities to attend workshops and conferences in your field of interest. This can be a great way to learn from experts and network with like-minded individuals.

4. Take online courses: Many online courses are available on various topics, often for free. Taking a course can help you learn new skills and gain knowledge in a structured, focused way. Like my new Emerging Leaders Program

5. Stay curious: Stay curious about the world around you. Ask questions, seek answers, and never stop exploring.

Make a plan and take action.

Making a plan and taking action is an important step towards achieving your goals. It’s not enough to simply have a vision of what you want to accomplish; you need to develop a clear plan of action that will help you get there. Here are some tips for making a plan and taking action:

1. Define your goals: First, you need to be clear about what you want to achieve. Write down your goals in specific, measurable terms.

2. Break it down: Once you have your goals in mind, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This will help you stay focused and motivated as you work towards your larger goals.

3. Set deadlines: Setting deadlines for each step will help you stay on track and give you a sense of urgency.

4. Take action: Once you have your plan in place, start taking action. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to get started; start taking small steps toward your goals today.

5. Evaluate and adjust: Regularly evaluate your progress and adjust your plan as needed. This will help you stay on track and make progress toward your goals.

Remember, making a plan and taking action is key to achieving your goals. Don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back; take the first step today and start making progress toward your dreams.

I’m excited to announce my new online and self-paced online course for Emerging Leaders, which I’ve designed to help you achieve your goals and become a multi-millionaire. Visit to learn more and start your journey toward financial success.

Looking for more ways to grow your business? Look to ICG Consulting for mentoring opportunities. Please reserve time to talk about your ‘Vision of Success’ and a few obstacles you see.  

Contributor: Cliff Locks, CEO | COO | Executive Strategy Consultant and Coach | Board of Directors | Governance | Private Equity Podcast Host | Reverse Logistics | Supply Chain | Advisory Board | SaaS | Clean Tech | Med Tech | Metaverse | AI | Thoughtful ESG & DEI Email me: at [email protected], Schedule a call: Cliff Locks, or fill in the below form to start a conversation.

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