The 7 Rules of Success

‘Don’t aim for success if you want it, just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally. ‘DAVID FROST

The 7 rules of success is a book by ‘Fiona Harrold’ the UK’s most successful business coach and personal mentor. Her powerful style has helped many people to achieve all their ultimate goals. She has provided an invaluable content towards success in her book. This article is kind of a book review in which I would like to reveal the secrets of success by taking some of the best pieces of her book.

Before narrating the 7 rules of success, Fiona Harrold first describes the meaning of ‘Happiness and Success’. It is said that once people reach an ‘adequate’ income, additional wealth rarely has any further positive effect on happiness or satisfaction. Nowadays, people are seeking fulfilment and they want a life not mundane and materialistic rather more meaningful and significant.

Rule # 1 – Be Passionate 
Passion has proved to be a driving force behind every significant achievement. A sense of purpose invigorates passion in life and we give it a definite meaning. Purpose is actually a ‘Big Picture’ and a far-reaching vision for life. It gives a sense of direction rather than leading to a particular goal or objective. To identify what our passion is, we should always follow the things that make us feel enthusiastic, as well as bring meaning and a sense of purpose into our lives. Identifying your passion will make you feel that you are manifesting your own destiny in your own life, whereas, the combination which leads to destiny is that of purpose, passion, preparedness and talent.

Rule # 2 – Self – Belief
To achieve a position in life, you must have self-belief. When someone embraces self-determination, life is animated with enthusiasm and confidence. The reward of self-determination is that you never have to be at the mercy of your past or determine who you are and what the course of your life is. The extent to which you believe in others, or something else, to be responsible for the circumstances of your life is the extent to which you deny yourself access to your own resources, capabilities and ingenuity. When there is someone or something to blame, whether you were too rich or too poor, you are excusing yourself and resisting the challenges of making your life work.

Rule # 3 “ Do More!
Successful people do more than their less successful counterparts. One of the biggest problems with some self-improvers is that they don’t grasp this basic rule for success. They never try to do more; they read, talk and spend their energy in useless activities. They forget that their energy could better be spent in doing things they know they should be getting on with.

Rule # 4 “ Take More Risks
More exciting is the life that has more risks. Doing what we don’t really want, or never going for what we really do want, in the name of ‘security’ or ‘safety’, may not be an appropriate answer for a successful life. Being too frightened to take risks is deadly, and one of the key inhibitors in the way of success. Sometimes, risks end up in a failure of which people are also afraid of. One of the greatest myths about successful people is that they, somehow, achieved success without any pain, disappointment or defeat. On the contrary, look beneath the surface of any great achiever’s career and you will find more than one ‘fame-out’. In fact, the best developer of a leader is the failure.

Rule # 5: Inspire Others
The ability to inspire others is one of the most compelling characteristics of great achievers and it has been a feature of success throughout human history. All great leaders know the value of this principle. While inspiring others, one has to have a vision. The first step towards mastering the ability to inspire is to have a clear understanding of one’s own vision. Winston Churchill once said:

‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has’.

Rule # 6 “ Persevere
Quaid e Azam once said, ‘Expect the best and prepare for the worst’. There is a lot of truth in this statement as it suggests staying resolved in the times of difficulties, disappointments and disasters. People who grasp this reality and deal with it well are indeed exceptional. This basic confidence in yourself and your abilities is reflected in your willingness to perseveringly cope with the challenges. The simple truth is that people who succeed are those who persevere.

Rule # 7- Be Generous
On a personal level, being generous leaves you feel better about yourself, leaving you with that elusive feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction that money cannot buy. In business, generosity brings you career advancement and opportunities that meaner individuals envy and don’t understand. Being generous doesn’t take anything away from you rather it benefits everyone.

These 7 strategies for success should be applied in our thinking and actions. One can also inherit the essence of all these characteristics from the brilliant people. But to attain success, one has to be patient because change takes time. Think productively, put the work in and you will get the results!