Finding My Own Formula for Success

How I became a learner of the intricacies of leadership and performance?

As a part of the leadership team of Kantilal Patel & Co., a firm of chartered accountants, working alongside fellow professionals, it was always a subject matter of interest to me for aligning everyone's efforts towards a common objective. I always had been interested in these subjects. I have read quite many books on the subject and have summarised my understanding of being good at what you do and what it takes to do so. This article is an attempt to put a formula to a very difficult topic, what does it take to succeed? Also, this is difficult because there is no set formula for not only defining success but also determining success. Also, success to me might be different than success to you!

What is the most important element of determining success? Who decides that one is successful?

What you want to be in life determines your success point. For me, learning from others and making others learn from me has become the mantra of my life! There are various classifications of goal-setting that allow you to set goals across various facets, including:

Health

1. Body
2. Mind

Spiritual

1. Soul

Work/Professional Life

1. Mission
2. Money
3. Growth

Personal

1. Family
2. Romance
3. Friends

Success across all these sections is measured in terms of goal-setting and achieving those goals. Some of the above areas are not facilitating measurability and hence, goal-setting and measuring performance is hazy. However, for me, happiness is success. In each of these areas, if you are happy with your performance, you are successful. Happiness is derived by living your potential. If you live a life where you are giving your best, you are happy; that to me is success.

I was recommended by my best friend, Parthlochan Bayanwala, to watch a movie called Tumse Na Ho Payega on Disney+ Hotstar. Knowing me, he pursued me rigorously to ensure that I watched it. I watched it and enjoyed it thoroughly. I strongly recommend everyone to watch it for understanding what success means. The movie is thoroughly entertaining with a message (for those who intend to take it). My friend Parthlochan Bayanwala has been living life in this manner since I know him from 2004 and I consider him to be one of the most successful people I know.

The underlying principle is that you define your own success; society or peers cannot decide your success for you!

How to be successful?

Now, comes the most important question and my attempt to give a formula that one can follow to be successful:

I call it the triangle of success: The three factors that lead you to success are:

Learning

When you do the same thing next time, look for a better way to do it. The time when you can’t find a better way to do it, codify it and delegate. Move to a higher orbit.

Intelligence

The speed and quality at which you realise better ways of doing what matters. Intelligence is innate; if you are not gifted with it, you need to work hard and get what it takes understand the changes necessary.

Execution

Just Do It!

The above triangle unmistakably makes you successful. Now, one may have been putting in significant efforts across all the three elements of the triangle; however, they may not be experiencing success. To this, the first point that one needs to put in is whether their goals across each of their facets are realistic or not? Setting S. M. A. R. T. goals is crucial for one to understand and experience their success.

Still, there are two more elements that are necessary for one to understand the overall concept of success:

Speed of Success

The speed of success i.e. the time taken to reach the goal is in direct correlation of your restlessness to achieve your goals. Other things being equal, success comes faster to those who want it faster. That’s why, I have shifted to the 12-week year concept.

Scale of Success

While many might disagree on this analysis of mine, I am a strong believer that there are many people achieving the triangle and also having restlessness; yet their scale of success isn't grand. These individuals have an intense ambition to surpass their current achievements (and are working perfectly for it), yet they haven't quite found grand success. Here comes the most important element to determine the scale of success, which is LUCK! Luck sometimes is more important than all of the above to determine the quantum of your success in each of the facets. Some might be having a weak triangle and even might not be restless yet become successful by just being lucky!

Gratitude

Well, the above sums up my note for today. Thanks for reading through it entirely if you have come so far. If you like this or would like to discuss any of my observations on the topic with me, hit me up in the Comments or Messages and I would be happy to chat with you. If you like this, help in spreading the word.