ACE - Do you have what it takes?

Bill Boggs, a four time Emmy Award winning host, shared in a recent presentation how successful people became successful. Sounds simple, and it really is, if you act on it!

So what is "ACE"?  The 3 key things you need to do in order to achieve lifelong success.

A - Achieving Success - Each and every day, one day at a time, get the best out of your-self. 

C - Conquer Adversity - When "stuff" happens, pick yourself up and deal with what life has dealt you.

E - Enjoy a happy life!

The "A" and the "C" is reciprocal.  When you are happy you tend to find more success and when you are successful, it tends to build happiness.  Live a life of discipline, not regret, an attitude of gratitude, and most importantly, "Just Do It."

So where are you at in achieving success?  Ask yourself the following questions: 

1.  Am I settling now, in any way, that is making me unhappy?

• Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

2.  Have I let a moment of inspiration pass....ever?  If so, can it be retrieved, and can I act on it?

3.  What is my deepest aspiration right now, my heart's desire/  Am I on a path toward it, or have I ignored a primary life goal?

• Have you wanted to be a sports team coach, an entrepreneur, your own boss?

4.  What question could I ask an associate, family member, an acquaintance, anyone, that might change their lives?

• What decision today will you not regret tomorrow?

5.  How's my exchange rate:  What I do to improve the value each day for myself, knowing that the day will never come again?

• If not now, when? • What's the value of showing up?

So how do you start?  Look inside yourself and find the resources to grow in these areas:

To Be Able To....Adapt and Change

• Be a perpetual studentYou will not survive and aspire to greatness if you repeat the same thing

To Conquer...Fear and Insecurity

• What's the worst that can happen?  Or What's the best thing to come?

To Gain From...Failure and Risk

• Sharing your failures with others/team brings growth and innovation

To Communicate...As Effectively as Possible

• Listening with intent to understand (Question?) • What's going on in the company that you think I don't know about? • What do you do in your job that's not part of your job description? • What's the most difficult part of your job? • What do you spend more time on than you think you should?

To Demonstrate...Command Posture

• Shoulders back and head up...successful leaders don't slouch!

To Leave A....Legacy

• What do you want to be remembered for?

Success is individual.  Only you can decide if you've got what it takes!

Boggs, Bill. "Got What It Takes." Bill Boggs - Got What It Takes. TEC. Holiday Inn Select, Appleton. 13 Feb. 2013. Lecture.

Jayne McQuillan, CPA, MBA, CEPA is a strategic management consultant, and the owner of Journey Consulting, LLC, in Green Bay