10 Golden Rules for Career Success with the 80/20 Principle

1. “Specialize in a very small niche; develop a core skill
2. “Choose a niche that you enjoy, where you can excel and stand a chance of becoming an acknowledged learner
3. “Realize that knowledge is power
4. “Identify your market and your core customers and serve them best
5. “Identify where 20 percent of effort gives 80 percent of returns
6. “Learn from the best
7. “Become self-employed early in your career
8. “Employ as many net value creators as possible
9. “Use outside contractors for everything but your core skill
10. “Use capital leverage” (p. 194)

Success Lies on the Near Side of Failure

“The inspirationalists quote such worthies as T.J. Watson, who said that ’success lies on the far side of failure.” My view is that normally failure lies on the far side of failure. Also, success lies on the near side of failure. You are already very successful at some things, and it matters not a whit if those things are very few in number.” (p. 174)

Intelligence and Success

“Intelligence excusitis or “I lack brains” is common. In fact, it’s so common that perhaps as many as 95 percent of people around us have it in varying degrees. Unlike most other types of excusitis, people suffering from this particular type of the malady suffer in silence. Not many people will admit openly that they think they lack adequate intelligence. Rather, they feel it deep down inside.” (p. 34)

Leadership Requires Reluctance

One of the paradoxes of leadership is simply this: only the leader who is ready to step down has a real chance of success.

How to Develop the Power of Believing in Yourself

1. “Think success, don’t think failure. At work, in your home, substitute success thinking for failure thinking. When you face a difficult situation, think, ‘I’ll win,’ not ‘I’ll probably lose.’
2. Remind yourself regularly that you are better than you think you are. Successful people are not supermen. Success does not require super-intellect. Nor is there anything mystical about success. And success isn’t based on luck. Successful people are just ordinary folks who have developed believe in themselves and what they do. Never–yes, never–sell yourself short.
3. Believe Big. The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success. Remember this, too! Big ideas and big plans are often easier–certainly no more difficult–than small ideas and small plans.” (pp. 25-26)