by Dr. Rob Fazio

Author Simple is the New Smart

Success is not always easy to come by, but it can be simple.

In my work an executive advisor, surgeons, sport psychologist I am often struck by how many people fall short of their goals because of their need to worry about something. Operating under the common misconception that time and effort equal success – no pain, no gain – many people sell themselves short because they are preoccupied with things that simply don’t matter.

I set out to write a book that made success simple! Simple is the New Smart: in a down to earth, yet down to business style, I do my best to offer tools and techniques to turn down life’s static and turn up the volume simple strategies that drive success. He says those that are aware of common setback and take intentional action in approaching their work and life goals get there faster and more directly, with half the strain and twice the gain.

We all get bombarded with advice. Here are some of my recommendations that I’ve seen add value with velocity:

1. Selective listening   

What you choose to hear about yourself can adversely impact your performance and your potential. People tend to crystalize negative messages and stop trying, especially if a message is internalized early on without strong enough self-esteem or positive mentoring to counteract it. I calls this the creation of “barrier beliefs,” which I’ve witnessed ruin careers and lives.

To prevent negativity from stunting your growth trajectory, he recommends practicing selective listening – tuning out negative messages that hold you back, while still being aware of them enough to avoid potential blind spots from only hearing what you want to hear. Once you have identified the negative messages from your past that have created your barrier beliefs, take action to override them. These messages are not facts; they are just messages, and we have the choice to listen or not.

2. Quick thinking

Thinking fast is a critical skill for success and thankfully one that Fazio says is both natural and teachable. Especially in the executive decision-making process, where leaders can so easily gain or lose credibility, honing your quick-thinking ability is a vital step to working smarter to take the “easy way” to success.

Just as many people equate strenuous effort with success, they also mistakenly believe the more important a decision is, the more difficult it has to be make, and that the amount of time you spend on a decision directly improves its value. Calculated speed is a sign of confidence, intelligence, and effectiveness. He recommends streamlining your approach to decision-making and communication to build your leadership credibility.

3. Perpetual motion

Everyone feels “stuck” at times in their lives or careers, or has bad days when they are just moving slow. Fazio says the difference between those who fall behind and those who persevere to achieve their goals is the ability to maintain perpetual – and purposeful – forward motion.

 The simple secret to maintaining this momentum, according to Fazio, is accountability for your own attitude – not allowing yourself to get sucked into a “what if” whirlpool of spiraling thoughts. If you tend to overthink things, seek help from other people or approaches to get you out of the analysis trap and back into the game. It’s not just about catching yourself when you aren’t staying the course; it’s also about an overall attitude adjustment through intention and focus that will support your drive to success.

 Psychological swagger

Whether you’re in HR, on the trading desk or out on the football field, you influence others by confidence. You have to have an edge, even if it’s not within your comfort zone – I call this Psychological Swagger. It’s about beliefs, behaviors, and brand. Believing in yourself is at the core, acting in a way consistent with your intentions moves you in the right direction, and creating intentional impressions accelerates your path to success.

Cultivating this internal assurance isn’t a “fake it until you make it” situation. It’s a make it so you don’t have to fake it approach. The through core aspects of Psychological Swagger are” Belief, Behavior, and Brand. It’s a cycle of being mentally tough, acting in a way that demonstrates you are confident, not arrogant, and creating intentional impressions through your presence. People respect those who create credibility and command respect. You don’t need to push people around, but you do need to be able to tell it how it is and not give off the scent of fear in order to lead the pack. Some of the most successful executives have a “subtle confidence” and they don’t need to tell people they have what it takes, people can see it and feel it. If you’d like to learn more about your Psychological Swagger you are welcome to subscribe to our newsletter and take a complimentary quiz that will give you feedback and practical tips.

Success doesn’t need to be a culmination of battle wounds. The biggest mistake people make is they get in their own way with worry and lack of focus. Know where you want to go, talk to people who have been there, and be ready to make some strategic sacrifices so you can get there fast. Now stop reading and start writing your success story!

Dr. Rob Fazio is an executive advisor to Fortune 500 executives, surgeons, and emerging businesses with OnPoint Advising, www.OnPointAdvising.com. He is the author of  Simple is the New Smart (foreword by Neil Cavuto), and  the Motivational Currency Calculator assessment. For 15 years he’s been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and NBC. He’s contributed to Forbes, the New York Times, New York Daily News, the CEO Magazine, NBC News, Success Magazine, and the Philadelphia Business Journal.

“It’s not what happens, it’s what happens next”, “It’s not about the fall, it’s about getting up”, “A lot of people dream of success, few get up and work at it.”

We’ve all heard the motivational quotes that sound great and feel better. But what separates losers from winners? Yes, I know it’s insensitive to call out such a dichotomy as “losers” and “winners”. But I like straight talk – talk that is clear and gets results. The truth is that some athletes have what it takes to excel and some don’t.

Now we can go around in circles about nature vs. nurture and if people are born with mental toughness or if they develop it. I can tell you from first hand experience working with athletes and executives that the skills that elite athletes use to excel can be learned. I can also tell you that the skills that elite athletes use can be leveraged to make you a more effective and successful business person. From the hedge fund manager who makes decisions on investments under pressure, to the CEO who needs to get quarterly results while getting beaten up by the media and board requests, to the first time manager who is in uncharted waters.

There are countless skills that athletes use that can be leveraged in business. I’m going to let you know about three core skills that athletes use to win: Swagger, Focus, and Grit. These core three, if mastered, will elevate your game and separate you from those who haven’t put the time in to excel.

Swagger
Confidence, but not arrogance, is the foundation for winning. Recently I spoke to over 200 senior leaders at a Fortune 200 business. My charge was to teach them mental toughness and how sport psychology can help executives excel. I presented my case, provided insights, and equipped them with select skills.

I ended my talk with a photo of an approaching bear and discussed different potential reactions to being presented with a crisis. That had impact. What happened next, however, had more impact. Hall of Famer, Ronnie Lott, came up to the front of the room, placed his four Superbowl rings down on a table, and told everyone to pass them around. And then he said, “Well, about that bear, I would just knock it out!”

In seconds, Ronnie Lott had taught them what I had spent an hour teaching them. What he said and how he said it had swagger. And I realized as he spent the next 45 minutes with the group, that’s how he played the game – with confidence and swagger. Over his career he excelled at playing at multiple positions. Many others in his time had similar physical talent, but none had his swagger, focus, and grit. He has translated that swagger into countless other successful business ventures. My favorite part of our time with Ronnie Lott was when asked why he is so confident and comfortable passing out his Superbowl rings to hundreds of strangers, he responded, “I still have one good hit left.”

Focus
The best athletes keep their eyes on the prize. They eliminate the noise and perform. How do you do this in business? Find the synergy among what makes money, what you can do well, and what you enjoy. If you can have laser focus on staying true to a few initiatives that fall into this space, you will get results that reap sustainable rewards. The challenge is selectively listening by tuning out unhelpful noise and keeping your focus. Warren Buffet is one of the best examples of a business person who exemplifies focus. He doesn’t get caught up in the noise or the naysayers – he stays his course, keeps his focus, and he wins. His strategy isn’t sexy, but his success is seductive and best of all works.

Bouncing Back
Do you know what Michael Jordan did after he missed three shots in a row? He played defense and got ready for the next shot. What did Lindsay Vonn do after her injury kept her out of the Olympics? She started her comeback for her next major event. I had the opportunity to advise someone who started a private equity firm, and got thrown out of his own fund. You can imagine how challenging that would be. He picked himself up, learned from his mistakes, and became the head of an even larger fund. What’s my point? People who know failure is feedback, fall forward. They get up fast, learn, and move forward.

If you want to see what this looks like in action, watch Heather Dorniden’s devastating fall and inspirational bounce back in the 2008 Big Ten Track Championships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70UF82nysIU.

The OnPoint Point: If you want the edge, sharpen your edge – and don’t cut people. Pay attention to the athletes that perform year after year. Walk with swagger, have laser focus, and bounce back. Build those skills and you will have the mental toughness to deal with business roughness. Start now and see your ROT, return on toughness.