6 Steps to Sustainability

Being 50% Greek means philosophy is literally in my blood.

To enhance my pre-disposed DNA I study the great philosophers to help develop my thinking and creativity.

One of my favorites is Seneca who you may know from this quote:

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
- Seneca

Coincidentally my other 50% is Irish so luck is also in my blood.

You may want to hear me out on this one…

We all want to be “lucky” but what we really mean when we say luck is SUCCESS.

But success is not some mysterious unattainable desire like “luck” - it is potentially a destination you can get to and having a map will help you.

So I remixed ideas (see last week’s email) from ancient philosopher Seneca, modern-day philosopher Dan Koe and my Greek/Irish brain to design a map to guide you to success - and beyond.

Sustainability in 6 Steps

I rarely disagree with Dan but this time I must. You can absolutely plan for opportunities and in fact you can create them.

What Seneca calls preparation, Dan calls vision, courage and skill.

To which I add “strategic positioning” and the often neglected component of “relationships” to reach sustainability.

Here's how my strategy breaks this all down:

Learning + planning = Vision
Vision + execution = Skill
Skill + positioning = Opportunity
Opportunity + courage = Success (Luck)
Success + relationships = Sustainability

 Learning + Planning = Vision

• Start Learning: Books, webinars, newsletters – these are your tools, not just your starting blocks. Dive in and soak up the knowledge.

• Make a Plan: What's your dream outcome? Break it down into bite-sized, achievable steps. Strategize.

🔑 Stay Consistent: It's not about sporadic genius; it's about regular, disciplined action. Keep the momentum going, and watch your vision become clear.

Vision + Execution = Skill

• Take Action: Ideas are your seeds, but they need to be planted and nurtured. Turn those plans into reality.

• Work Hard, Stay on Track: Focus, grind, repeat. You’re getting better with every rep and your "luck" is about to happen.

🔑 Learn from Mistakes: Embrace them, and grow from them. Mistakes are your mentors, not your enemies.

Skill + Positioning = Opportunity

• Understand Yourself: What's your edge? Harness it to make yourself stand out in the crowd.

• Get in the Right Rooms: The right connection can open doors you never knew existed. But they’re not looking for you. Get out there.

🔑 Stay Ready to Adapt: The market's always moving. Are you ready to move with it? Stay nimble, stay ahead.

Opportunity + Courage = Success

• Be Confident: You’ve worked hard and earned it. You deserve to be there.

• Seize Opportunities: They're knocking now. Are you answering? Be fearless, take that leap, say yes, and make it happen.

🔑 Focus on Real Impact: Success isn't just about numbers or accolades; it's about making a tangible difference in people’s lives. Now’s your time.

This brings us to the crucial step that people often miss. You achieve success in whatever way you measure that, and then you rest. And then you have to start all over again.

Next week I’ll expand more on the idea of keeping your pipeline full and I’d encourage you to think about it after you read the final step:

Success + Relationships = Sustainability

• Nurture Your Connections: Your clients, your network, your community – they're the lifeblood of your ongoing success. Treat them with genuine care.

• Build Trust, Show Appreciation: Trust isn't given; it's earned. Show your clients that they matter. Appreciate them, and they'll stay with you.

• Stay Engaged, Stay Relevant: The market evolves, and so should you. Keep your finger on the pulse and your success can be evergreen.

Learning + Planning + Execution + Positioning + Courage + Relationships = Sustainability

So there you have it – a roadmap from learning to long-term success.

Start with a vision, turn it into a skill, create your opportunities, and have the courage to seize them.

But don't stop there. Keep those relationships strong, especially with your clients.

That's how you keep success going. It's not just about getting there; it's about staying there.

Brian