On LinkedIn, we posted a short summary of our formula for success that was shared with the sixth-grade students of Kilgour Elementary School. Below you can find a little more detail about each of the elements of the formula

S – Sacrifice

The attainment of any worthwhile goal requires sacrifice. The greatest athletes, artists, performers, scientists, teachers, and mechanics have all sacrificed their time to practice, study, and refine their crafts. No matter where you are in life, you must sacrifice something to attain that which you desire the most.

M – Mentor (find one and be one!)

It is said that “smart people learn from their mistakes, while wise people learn from the mistakes of others.” Finding a mentor is invaluable to avoiding many of errors. Whether it be a mentor in high school, college, or the workplace, having someone to act as a guide and provide honest feedback is vital. While getting a mentor is important, BEING a mentor can be even more beneficial. To lead someone else, you must continue to learn and challenge yourself. Giving to others is one of the most rewarding feelings one can ever experience.

A – Adaptability

Studies show this to be one of the most important characteristics in remaining employable over a lifetime. Changes hit the workplace so quickly over a 45-year career, one must be able to adapt and modify their work styles rapidly. The need to adapt will only increase in frequency in the years ahead.

R – Relationships

We become who we surround ourselves with. If you choose to associate with those who strive for more, who are driven, honest, and trustworthy, then you are likely to do the same. Be the person you’d like to be friends with and seek those same individuals to surround yourself with. Make sure they are honest with you, care about your success, and continually challenge you to become your best.

T – Trust and Trustworthiness

One of the key pillars to relationships, both personal and professional, is trust. Where there is a lack of trust, there will be a lack of commitment. The message here is to verify the trust you have placed in others. ALWAYS demonstrate your own trustworthiness. Even in difficult times, own up to truth and be open and honest.

L – Lifetime Learners

We talked already about adaptability. To best adapt to the changes in life and workplace, it is necessary to be a lifetime learner. School doesn’t provide all the information needed in life, but rather provides a foundation to continue to learn. Read, watch videos, utilize mentors, teach, stretch into areas that make you uncomfortable, and you’ll be amazed at what you learn. If you stay in your comfort zone and rely on those things you know very well, you’ll likely become obsolete.

Q – Ask Great Questions

It has been said that if you are the smartest person in the room, you should get up and move to a different room! Whether you are learning or leading, asking questions is exceptionally powerful. The key is to ask the ‘right’ questions. Practice asking even when you think you know the answers, and you’ll be amazed at how much more you can learn. Also, never forget one of the most powerful questions you learned when you were around 2 years old – why?! When leading and teaching, asking questions is one of the best ways for others to learn. By having to go through the process of developing the answer themselves, the ‘student’ will better understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’.

D – (Self) Discipline

All truly successful individuals demonstrate a high degree of self-discipline. The most successful develop a routine and stay true to it. Studies have shown that those who are unorganized tend to become overwhelmed when things don’t go as planned, whereas organized people are better able to compartmentalize the disruption and deal with it in a more productive manner.

When using all of the principals in SMART LQD, the limitations to your success are only the ones you put on yourself. 

Link to our original LinkedIn post here