Characteristics of the "Uber-Successful" Investor: Decision-Making, The Key To Greatness

What kind of decision-maker are you?

In his world-changing book, "Think and Grow Rich", Napoleon Hill did a deep dive into the thirteen personal characteristics that lead to spectacular success, as revealed to him by the 500 world leaders of his day which he interviewed and analyzed intensely. An entire chapter of the book was devoted to each of the vital characteristics, all of which are learned, not inborn.

That is the good news: anyone can learn how to develop these success traits. The book was published in 1937 and has since gone on to become the fourth leading all-time best seller, behind the "Holy Bible", "The Joy of Cooking", and "Harry Potter". It has been credited with creating more millionaires than any other book ever written. It spawned the self-help industry, inspiring Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, Paul J. Meyer, and a host of other "Success Gurus" with this life-changing information.

One of the most important and highest paid of all the abilities is that of decision-making. We make hundreds of decisions every day, and how we approach the process has a great impact on our success. First of all, decision-making is a two step process:

Step One is gathering information. Take as long as necessary to do your due diligence, realizing however, that you will never have all the information you desire. There will always be a knowledge gap requiring a certain amount of a "Leap of Faith", relying on your "Gut" instincts at that point.

Step Two is actually making a decision. The people who tend to become spectacularly successful, tend to make decisions relatively quickly, and to change that decision, if at all, relatively slowly.

The people that tend to not be so successful, have the habit of making decisions, if at all, relatively slowly, and changing that decision rather quickly and often. Consequently they frequently run a zig-zag course and are difficult to follow. They do not make good leaders because people soon realize that you cannot count on them to stay the course.

If a decision is worth making in the first place, it is worth sticking with, realizing that down the road because of the imperfections of human memory you will not remember all the factors that went into the decision in the first place, that is why we place reminders, called affirmations, and visualizations about us to constantly remind and reinforce the vision that led to the decision in the first place. This builds persistence, which is the most important trait successful people have, persistence and resiliency, overcoming the inevitable obstacles to your success.

Go forth and make decisions; and know that you are operating on the best principles known to man.

Duke Runyan is the "Leadership Guru Guy". For a Free personal consult on your goals, your decisions, your life, or your business. Call Duke today: 850-4492000 (www.linkedin.com/in/leadershipguruguy)