Why does success in the past often hurt — not help — your chances of success in the future?
It may sound like a “trick” question but it’s not. We all know by now, or certainly should, that behavior does in fact predict behavior. How then can the question be true? It is because it is not talking about predicting BEHAVIOR, but predicting SUCCESS. And these are very different things.
Some of the behavior that led to success in the past, may likely not lead to success in “the now” or the future because times have changed – and will continue to change. This reality creates the need to grow and change. Without growth and change, no one can continue to be successful in any field including management and leadership in any industry or business. This inability to “keep up” or “keep changing” can and often does lead to stress.
We believe the answer — the key to growth and change with minimal or appropriate stress levels (those that motivate, but do not freeze or overwhelm people) — is to change and grow as a leader, as a human being, and as a professional — rather than trying to figure out exactly what one needs to know in any given economy or precise situation.
Here’s an example that will make this point more clearly.
Let’s assume Mary was the wizard of networking a decade ago. She knew more people in her industry and had a deeper and broader network of contacts than her colleague Carol. As a result, when sales were tallied Mary often, if not always, surpassed Carol.
Fast forward to today. Mary is still very connected with people but hasn’t quite warmed up to the latest social media techniques. Carol hasn’t either but she is now solidly open to the possibility it could and will transform how she sells.
Meanwhile Mike has joined the workforce as a new sales person in their industry and doesn’t have any idea of how to approach the work but is excited about the new training program.
Who is going to be the next sales Pro? Mike maybe, Carol likely, Mary not so much.
“Time and change” altered the way sales are done. Mary stopped changing and growing but the world of sales did not and now the world has changed and passed her by.
Question?
What could Mary and Carol have done or learned and what can Mike do or learn to be “ready” when the next paradigm shift in their industry turns the sales cycle inside out?
Likely none of these hard working people can even imagine exactly what the sales situation will be a decade into the future — or even if “sales” as we know it will still be with us. With people working longer and needing more money than ever to retire, many are in a bind. Or not.
The key is working on oneself, reducing false certainty, and remaining open to new ways of living, working, and interacting.
No one can predict the future — but each of us can prepare for it by knowing this:
Being open to thinking and doing things differently today is the best way to ensure success tomorrow.
One need not know exactly what has to be done differently, or when that will need to happen — but they must certainly know they will have to change and they will need to grow and develop new strategies as long as they wish to work.
Easier said than done, the best way to minimize stress by continuing to grow as a person is to challenge yourself to do new things in new ways in all aspects of your life.
Here are a few examples:
- A mystery reader? – Try an autobiography!
- A people person to the core? – Read Quiet and learn something about those introverts among us!
- Always start your work out with stretches? – Try yoga!
You get the point. Flex those “flexibility muscles.”
There is no way to avoid change and necessary new behaviors to operate effectively — authoritarian bosses have given way to collaborative ones. It isn’t likely the same man or woman — but it absolutely could be if they allowed for acceptance of the truth. Things change, times change, and so must people – especially their behaviors – that’s an absolute must.
The challenge of change and growth is be open to being different personally, not thinking about controlling something or someone outside oneself. If you can change personally, if you are open to fresh approaches, you are going to be fine. On the other hand, beware the false security of past success. It’s hurt many who previously have been successful — for the times, they are a-changin!
Additional Insights . . .
- Video
- Try to focus on avoiding complacency — which is what relying on past success is all about
How Do We Avoid Complacency at Work?
- Try to focus on avoiding complacency — which is what relying on past success is all about
- Additional Reading
- If CEOs cannot guarantee future success with past performance none of us can!
For CEOs Pasts Performance Is No Guarantee of Future Success - Knowing they have to keep changing is a secret of all successful people — they avoid complacency
Mentally Strong People - A very short article that sums up how to avoid complacency — like ants do!
Motivation: The Cure for Complacency
- If CEOs cannot guarantee future success with past performance none of us can!