Successful People Go For It

As a career success coach, I’m always looking for new and different ways to get across my common sense ideas on career success.  On Friday I had a great opportunity.  I was invited to see the Go For It! Institute’s program in action at a K through 8 school in Denver.  If you don’t know about the Go For It! Institute, you should.  The Institute teaches kids the value of things like positive attitude, believing in themselves, positive habits, goal setting and persistence. 

Their work is based on ideas created by Judy Zerofa.  Judy has created seven keys to success for young students.  Check them out…

KEY 1: I Have a Positive Attitude! Learn what attitude is; what aspects of your life are controlled or directed by your attitude; how to determine your attitude at any given moment; specific strategies to make a positive attitude a permanent habit in your life.

KEY 2: I Believe in Myself! Understand the nature of human potential through a simple process of identifying your personal talents and abilities; developing academic strengths and personal interests to create personal fulfillment and economic opportunities for your future.

KEY 3: I Build Positive Habits! Understand the process of how habits are created; learn to identify and remove self-defeating habits; create habits that will make all aspects of your life easier and more successful.

KEY 4: I Make Wise Choices! Learn the dramatic relationship between any current circumstances in your life and the choices that created these; develop a personal proactive plan for desired outcomes through conscious, wise choices.

KEY 5: I Set and Achieve Goals! Recognize the difference between a wish and a goal; make a commitment, plan and take action; recognize completion.

KEY 6: I Use My Creative Imagination! Learn to adapt a technique professional athletes use to extend their physical ability, to accelerate problem solving and goal achievement in all areas of your life.

KEY 7: I Am Persistent! Track progress; develop the focus and determination required to succeed; create an attitude of gratitude as the access to fulfilling your dreams, link the Seven Keys to Success together in everyday life.

The Go For It! Institute is in business to bring these keys to young people and their parents, but as a career success coach, I think they are important ideas for anyone interested in creating a successful life and career.  Their Seven Keys to Success bare a remarkable similarity to two of my four keys for career success; commitment to taking personal responsibility for your life and career and self confidence.

In case you’re a new reader of this blog, I call my four keys for career success, the “4Cs: clarity, commitment, confidence and competence.”  Here they are in a little more detail…

• Clarity of purpose and direction
• A sincere commitment to taking personal responsibility for your life and career
• Unshakeable self confidence
• Competence in four key areas: Creating positive personal impact; Outstanding performance; Dynamic communication; Relationship building

On Friday, I watched a class of fourth graders work with the Seven Keys to Success.  It was great to see these little guys and gals put their own spin on things like having a positive attitude.   I wish I had someone work with me on these principles when I was that young. 

Judy Zerofa developed these success keys after interviewing 35 Horatio Alger Award winners.  I think they are a brilliantly simple success formula.  She is taking her positive message to kids and parents in an attempt at starting the success cycle early in life.  Check out the Go For It! Institute’s website at www.goforitfoundation.com.  Get involved, make a donation if you can.

The common sense point here is simple.  As a career success coach, I am always reminding my clients that successful people commit to taking personal responsibility for their lives and careers and they are self confident.  The Go For It! Institute’s Seven Keys to Success are all about taking personal responsibility and self confidence.   Think about it.  You will succeed if you have a positive attitude, believe in yourself, build positive habits, make wise choices, set and achieve goals, use your imagination and persist.  It’s only common sense.  I’m glad I was introduced to the Go For It! Institute and the great work they are doing with kids.  I think their message applies to all of us.  If you incorporate these seven keys into your life, you’ll be well on your way to creating the successful life and career you want and deserve.

That’s my take on the Go For It! Institute and the great work they are doing with kids.  What’s yours?  Please take a minute to leave a comment sharing your thoughts with us.  As always, thanks for reading.

Bud