10 Skills You Need To Succeed At Anything

What does it take to succeed? A positive attitude? Well, sure, but that's hardly enough. The Law of Attraction? The Secret? These ideas might act as spurs to action, but without the action itself, they don't do much.

Success, however it's defined, takes action, and taking good and appropriate action takes skills. Some of these skills (not enough, though) are taught in school (not well enough, either), others are taught on the job, and still others we learn from general life experience.

Below is a list of general skills that will help anyone get ahead in practically any field, from running a company to running a gardening club. Of course, there are skills specific to each field as well - but my concern here is with the skills that translate across disciplines, the ones that can be learned by anyone in any position.

1. Public Speaking

The ability to speak clearly, persuasively, and forcefully in front of an audience - whether an audience of 1 or of thousands - is one of the most important skills anyone can develop. People who are effective speakers come across as more comfortable with themselves, more confident, and more attractive to be around. Being able to speak effectively means you can sell anything - products, of course, but also ideas, ideologies, worldviews. And yourself - which means more opportunities for career advancement, bigger clients, or business funding.

For the remaining 9 skills, click here.

Comments

[watchingthings]

You must be talking about constructive work, yes, there you need skills to succeed. On the other side of the coin......if you can't succeed at anything......go into politics....there you can go all the way to the W.H. ....just look at Dubya.

[EliDavidson]

In my coaching practice I teach my clients that negative energy is what is keeping them from becoming successful. It's all about change of attitude. You can be successful at anything you want if you put your mind and attitude into it.
In 18 months I had lost my job, my marriage and my health. I soon realized that it was me that had to change. I developed a concept called "Turnaround Techniques" and I teach it to my clients.
For more fabulous tips please visit me at http://elidavidson.com

[swkidder]

I think others who have posted above made the case for talent and creativity, but I'd like to offer my #11 - one I've seldom seen mentioned.
I've worked as a consultant for the last couple of decades in healthcare - often with start-up companies. The most effective people I know are what I'll call "conscious learners." These people may have substantial egos, but those egos are invested almost 100% in how well they learn and not in "being right." They are also generous. They don't care if they're the one who "knows," as long as the team with whom they're working ends up coming to the right answer.
Conversely, I've met quite a number of "control freaks" who absolutely, desperately needed to be right - often wrong but never uncertain. Every single one of the companies they tried to lead ended up failing - taking millions of their investors money down the drain.
It's not just about being a "team player." That's often sort of a "squishy" term used to describe someone who doesn't rock the boat and tends to give in to the control freaks. The people I'm talking about are the ones who - when you're lucky enough to have them on a team - change the potential of every person in the room. Everyone is smarter, and more eloquent. They have these brilliant ideas that just "come out of their mouths." Those that seem to facilitate this kind of "group genius" are priceless ... and often

[Eric8869]

You forgot nepotism on that list. Lots of people are where they are because of WHO they are related to. Hollywood, Washinton, The media etc.

[vcsmith]

That's a different list, plus its not a skill.
You're on the right track....#1 creator of wealth in America, INHERITANCE!!!

[motu]

Hmmm.. not all lame but it's a fairly kiss-ass corporate american type list...
not much about creative spirit, soul, originality or the unique values that most of my heros have or had.

[derik]

In my opinion, all these 10 skills, things or whatever are good to have. But, the one "thing" you forget is being able to define success and, more importantly being able to change that definition. Such a definition is very much an individual thing. After all, not all of us really want to be a king or something.

[motu]

Hmmm.. not all lame but it's a fairly kiss-a.s.s corporate american type list...
not much about creative spirit, soul, originality or the unique values that most of my heros have or had.

[AmandaBC]

These are just 10 points to become an effective salesman. In reality, to achieve that you'd only need two:

- Lie, cheat and steal
- Feel no compassion whatsoever for your fellow human beings

Incidentally, this is also the way be acknowledged by conservatives as a great American...

[Triangle1]

As a person in business, I think he is correct in many cases. This article isn't about "anything", it seems to be clearly about business. I think the bottom line for success at anything is to constantly improve yourself, FOCUS, be realistic about the possibilities, and be willing to put in the work. If you sit around chatting on your "cell" 12 hours a day without putting in the work, of course you'll fail.

[kassandrasduplex]

They forgot to include being born a Rothschilds or Rockefeller.

[FeelinGroovy]

I suggest proofreading prior to publishing.

[KillgoreTrout43]

"Fame or self: Which matters more?

Self or wealth: Which is more precious?

Gain or loss: Which is more painful?


He who is attached to things will suffer much.

He who saves will suffer heavy loss.

A contented man is never disappointed.

He who knows when to stop does not find himself in trouble.

He will stay forever safe."

Lao Tsu

[robin50]

If you are going to work retail and actually handle money, and many people will work in these kind of jobs, know how to make change! That way if a person hands you a penny for a total that ends with a 1, after you've input the amount on the register, you won't have to go into panic mode and have to get a manager to fix this "problem" while the customer stands there waiting on his buck fifty change!

[ShawnMichel]

Nowhere, of course, is the question *Succeed at what?* Which makes me believe that this fluff piece was written by a cog, for cogs. Sure, the lessons apply across the board, but in an age when corporatism is literally destroying the planet, we could use a bit more bite in the article, directed toward those who are selling out their lives for "success" to take a better look at exactly what they're succeeding *at.*

[KillgoreTrout43]

Your "cogism," is excessive.

[wadenelson1]

Did they include stupidity combined with unbridled optimism in the list?

[whatsthatsound]

An outrageous willingness to shock and offend - Ann Coulter
Off the charts arrogance and unwillingness to brook any dissent - Donald Rumsfeld
A super achiever father - pick from current or wannabe POTUS
A pugnacious attitude and a very loud voice - Bill O'Reilly

Any of the above will take you to the top in today's America.

[swift goat pet for truth]

I would rather be lucky than good.