Life is short. For those looking to get the most out of it, it helps to cut corners here and there. Don’t listen to those who say there’s no such thing as shortcuts to success. Sure, the best things in life come as a result of hard work and dedication, but that’s not to say you can’t learn a few lessons the easy way instead of the hard way.
Of course, what the word “success” itself even means is completely different from one person to the next
Here is a collection of life hacks that will jump start your journey on the ladder to success, no matter what it is that success means for you.
1. Take notes from others
Don’t start from scratch when it comes to achieving your dreams. Look for inspiration in others who have achieved something similar. Take notes from someone who has walked a similar path, and save time by learning from their mistakes. Your own journey is, of course, going to differ in many ways from theirs but you can at least take inspiration from their successes and try to steer clear from their mistakes. Whether it’s someone you know personally, or a figure you admire - a good mentor can shorten the path to success.
2. Decondition yourself to think outside of your surroundings
Success comes slowly to those who can’t think outside of the box. Every great name earned their reputation for their ability to create change, and embracing this approach is a shortcut to making a real impact with your life. Don’t allow yourself to remain trapped in a job that brings you no fulfilment because you’ve been conditioned to think you have to. There are always more opportunities on the horizon, if you are willing to look for them.
3. Break everything down as much as possible
Many people have great aspirations but never manage to get started on them because the task ahead appears too mountainous. It’s key to remember that every journey happens one step at a time, and breaking down your goals into their smallest components will help you to define an achievable path to success. Rather than letting yourself be overwhelmed by the distance between where you are and where you want to be, allow yourself to focus on the baby steps that will ultimately get you there.
4. Make more of less
Streamline your goals and responsibilities so that you can truly focus on achieving the success you desire. This might mean learning to say no to people who ask of you, a skill which can be daunting at first. In the long run, being precise about your goals and responsibilities will allow you to achieve results that chronic multi-taskers often fail to manifest.
5. Separate and organise your goals
Separate your goals into short term, medium term, and long term so that you can distinctly break down what you need to do to achieve each one. Ask yourself - what can I do today to take me further towards my goals? Tomorrow? Next month? Next year? Set yourself goals accordingly and tick them off as you go along.
6. Read as much as you can
Knowledge is power, and reading is the key to knowledge! No matter your personal goals, you can be sure someone out there has already put together a guide on how to achieve them. In general, reading memoirs and biographies of great and successful figures can offer inspiration and guidance on how to achieve the same yourself.
7. Action is always best
When it comes to achieving your goals, taking action is always best. If you feel yourself reaching a point of stasis in life, it means it’s time to shake things up. Reaching goals needs a forward momentum, so it’s important to make sure to maintain a habit of activity and avoid stagnation at all costs. Even the smallest action can have big consequences.
8. Learn to ask questions
It’s remarkable how few people manage to live by this simple piece of advice - when in doubt, ask questions! Don’t be afraid to reach out to the world around you. Ask others for advice, ask them to share their experiences, ask them to share their opinions. Looking for an opportunity? Don’t be afraid to go knocking on doors and enquiring about potential opportunities. Success comes quicker to those with initiative, and asking questions is the best way to produce answers.
If you want to get ahead in life, you have to make the most of what you have available to you. Instead of letting yourself be held back by a no-can-do attitude, see the full extent of your potential and dedicate yourself to realising that potential. With the right attitude and equal amount of hard work, these shortcuts will see you achieve your goals far more effectively than doing life the hard way.
