Unlock Success: The 8 Cs You Need to Know

Posted on September 03, 2023 by Justin Gerard, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

Did you know that success leaves clues? In the pursuit of success, there are patterns that successful individuals consistently follow, forming a roadmap to achieve their goals. Let’s delve into the 8 Cs of success, a powerful framework that can accelerate your journey towards success.

Each “C” represents a critical aspect of personal development. By mastering these principles, you can create a solid foundation for achieving your dreams.

“Clarity of purpose and clarity of intention will magnify your power to manifest your dreams.” — Robin Sharma

1. Clarity

Achieving clarity involves three key aspects. Firstly, understanding the profound equation of BE + DO = HAVE. This equation prompts you to ask: Who do you aspire to become in the future? What qualities do you wish to embody? Often, our focus gravitates towards material possessions – a better job, a larger car, a bigger house, or even a new phone. We then transition to the “Doing Phase,” crafting plans to achieve these goals. For instance, desiring weight loss leads to crafting gym routines. However, when results don’t align with our expectations, frustration sets in, and we blame the process.

Developing clarity entails understanding who you want to “BE” in life. It necessitates conscious identification with your identity. Imagine a scenario: a father returns home after a taxing day at work. His boss’s relentless micro-management has strained his emotional resilience. Despite his desire to unwind and be a “couch potato,” he’s welcomed by his excited children. “Dad’s home!” they exclaim. A child urges him to play football outside. Amidst exhaustion, he requests a few minutes to finish dinner. The child persists, leading to a tense exchange and the father leash out “I don’t want to PLAY NOW! IF YOU CAN’T WAIT THEN GO PLAY BY YOURSELF! DON’T DISTURB ME, I WANT TO HAVE MY DINNER!.“

Reflecting on this situation, ask yourself, “Who was the father being in that moment?” Was he the kind, loving father he aspires to be, or the fatigued executive from work? Often, we remain unaware of our demeanor in different moments. The critical step is developing clarity about who we wish to be, what we intend to do, and what we aim to have in life. Successful individuals possess clear visions of their desired outcomes, defining their future selves, values, and qualities while identifying incremental steps to realize them. Clarity empowers them to make decisive choices.

All successful people have a sense of clarity on the outcome of the vision they want to create for themself. They have clarity on who they want to be, the qualities and values that they want to embrace and the next step to accomplish this. 

Once they have a sense of clarity they have the power to be decisive. 

“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.” — Kenneth Blanchard

2. Commitment

Commitment often carries a daunting connotation, evoking fears of restraint. However, commitment signifies a refusal to make excuses. It entails showing up regardless of challenges. In relationships, true commitment propels individuals to overcome obstacles and prioritize each other. A committed individual’s passion resonates through their voice and demeanor. In the context of personal excellence, commitment entails a steadfast dedication to a cause, mission, or skill. It involves committing to continuous self-improvement to excel in the long run.

Imagine being in sales with a resolute commitment to becoming the best salesperson you can be. This dedication acknowledges that excellence is an enduring pursuit, not achievable overnight. Successful individuals discern that success, money, and happiness are indirect pursuits. To illustrate, building a billion-dollar business involves addressing a problem impacting a billion people. Enhanced sales income emerges from adding value and focusing on lead generation and conversion strategies. Weight loss results from cultivating nutritious eating habits and consistent exercise routines. This pattern demonstrates that success emerges from habitual actions. As Aristotle wisely said, “Excellence is not an act, but a habit.” Striving to be in the top 5% of your field or committing to cultivating habits of excellence shapes your success.

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” — Tony Robbins

3. Communication

Successful individuals excel in communication, nurturing strong interpersonal skills and relationships. They instill positivity in those around them. Rather than leaving communication to chance, they purposefully hone their communication abilities. Communication acts as the bridge to achievement. A past experience underscored this for me. I struggled to persuade my team leader and colleagues due to inadequate communication skills. A simple task became contentious because of my inability to articulate its importance. Effective communication skills also intertwine with leadership, enabling individuals to influence and guide others effectively.

Frustration often stems from the inability to convey intentions clearly. Enhancing communication empowers you to connect with others more profoundly, enhancing collaboration and mutual understanding.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

4. Courage

Cultivating courage is a defining trait of successful individuals. Courage doesn’t eliminate fear but empowers action despite it. Fearful individuals often succumb to self-doubt and seek instant gratification, frequently through distractions like smartphones. Developing courage is a habit that starts with small steps. By embracing discomfort and progressing despite fear, you build the habit of courage.

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” — Peter T. McIntyre

5. Confidence

Confidence emanates from self-belief and assurance in one’s abilities. It enables individuals to confront challenges with a positive attitude. Confidence isn’t synonymous with perfection but rather a sense of self-assuredness that facilitates decision-making and risk-taking. Building confidence requires self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-efficacy, positive self-talk, and positive visualization. Embracing these elements allows individuals to unlock their potential and pursue their goals with vigor. (Read my article on the 3S +2P formula for self confidence)

“Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.” — Jim Rohn

6. Consistency

Consistency is the cornerstone of success. It’s about maintaining momentum and progress, no matter how small. Consistency encompasses showing up, executing, prioritizing, and improving. Upholding consistency means being your best self consistently, regardless of external circumstances. It also means prioritizing what truly matters and executing tasks daily to progress toward your goals. The momentum cultivated through consistency enables you to overcome obstacles.

“The ability to concentrate and to use your time well is everything if you want to succeed in business—or almost anywhere else for that matter.” — Lee Iacocca

7. Concentration

Concentration involves focusing wholeheartedly on a specific task or goal. Successful individuals often practice focused work sessions, such as the “Block Time” technique. This method involves concentrating on a single task for a set period, free from distractions. These focused efforts can yield remarkable results and productivity gains.

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” — Albert Einstein

8. Creativity

Inherent in human nature, creativity fuels innovation and problem-solving. Children exemplify uninhibited creativity, often surprising us with imaginative thoughts. Successful individuals harness their creativity to address challenges in novel ways. Prioritizing time for creativity enables them to capture ideas, evaluate risks, and take action.

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Success is about transcending doubts, embracing clarity, and committing to a journey of continuous growth.

By incorporating these 8 Cs of success into your life can lead to remarkable transformation. Each “C” represents a facet of personal development that, when cultivated as habits, can steer you toward achieving your goals and realizing your potential. By embracing clarity, commitment, communication, courage, confidence, consistency, concentration, and creativity, you embark on a journey of personal and professional growth that propels you towards success.