Building Block for Success

Success means much more than showing up and working hard. There are so many elements that play a part into how you can be a successful human being. The image above has some keywords that some don't always associate with being a leader and achieving goals. These words and phrases play a huge role in the kind of coworker, boss, and employee you are. I want to highlight some of these "building blocks" to success and why they are important.

Grit 
courage and resolve; strength of character
If you don't know who you are and aren't confident in your abilities, it will show. Standing up for ideas that you believe in or promoting yourself confidently in an interview are just two ideas of how grit can play a part in your work life.

Spirit 
courage, energy, and determination or assertiveness
Having zeal and genuine passion for what you do will promote that you have a positive outlook on life and want to make a difference in whatever field you choose to be in.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears 
extremely hard work; unstinting effort
Giving 100% of yourself 100% of the time. Most successful people will tell you that they didn't earn their living overnight, and it certainly wasn't an easy, straight-forward path to success. A little elbow grease never hurt anyone.

Bravery
courageous behavior or character
So far, three words in this list have had a definition with the word "courage" in it. It even has its own building block in the image. Why is courage such a reoccurring theme? Maybe because courage starts with something we all have, fear. We spring off of that with the idea that we have the ability to make great things happen, and then we just do it. That's it. Bravery is being able to tackle the big stuff, so have a little faith in yourself.

Learning
the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught
There can be a bit of a stigma to the concept of learning. Some think you're done learning when you walk across the stage to earn your degree. Others think after you get through training at work that you're just finished learning new things. This cannot be further from the truth. Learning can take many different forms. It can be a new coworker that maybe does things a little different than you but gets great results. It could be experiencing a new culture or being at a conference. You never stop increasing your knowledge. Every new situation is a learning experience.

Discipline
activity or experience that provides mental or physical training
Those who diligently practice discipline are the ones that are focused on the long-term goals, not impulse decisions. Discipline is developed, not changed in a day. Take the time to apply discipline in specific areas of your life and see the difference it can make.

Listening
make an effort to hear something; be alert and ready to hear something
Ignoring other's ideas and going ahead in your own route could be your path to success, but it most likely won't be. Your peers and supervisors are put in the position they are to help your career. Listening to advice or constructive criticism and being able to react in a positive way is extremely useful in your climb to the top. No one gets there alone. Along with this is the "Feedback" block, where your feedback to peers and employees is just important as their feedback for you.

Time
the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues
You don't get where you want to go by sitting back and watching. Time and effort are necessary. Early morning and late nights (also building blocks) might just be the way to success. The perseverance and commitment to show up at 7am and not leave until 8pm is a learned discipline. Not all successful people do this, but the necessary effort to the job and time allotted to it are very important.