The Secret to Success, and Two Key Lessons Learned

In a recent fascinating discussion about successful leaders from around the world, my linguistic teacher raised a question that lingered in my mind: “What’s the secret to success?”. In a world where everyone has their own ideas about how to succeed, the true secret to unlocking success can often feel like a puzzle with missing pieces.

Reflecting on my own experiences, amidst the complex strategies and philosophies, I have discovered one fundamental truth: the key to success lies in taking action.

The Secret to Success: In it to win it

There is a well-known Japanese proverb that has stood the test of time, which states, “最初の一歩は戦いの半分です (Saisho no ippo wa tatakai no hanbun desu)”, meaning “The first step is half of the battle.” Just like a toddler learning to walk, that initial step may seem daunting, but it sets the course for the journey ahead. Without taking that first step, we’ll never be successful.

Consider the journeys of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos: Before revolutionizing the technology industry, they started with simple ideas and took incremental steps towards their goals. Musk began with PayPal, while Bezos started by selling books online. Unexpectedly, these small steps ultimately led to monumental achievements.

Looking back on my personal journey, I grasp even more profoundly the significance of taking action. Despite starting with a non-technical background and facing skepticism from loved ones, I made the critical decision to transition into the tech industry after graduation. At the time, I had no advantage in this field except for my curiosity and interest in product management. However, after dedicating 5 years of hard work, I have accumulated extensive knowledge and experience in this field, and am now a Senior PM at Holistics. I can now even develop small products independently and effectively mentor junior product managers. While my journey to success is ongoing, I realize that without the courage to initiate pursuit of my dreams, I wouldn’t have attained my current achievements.

If you find yourself at the crossroads of opportunity, remember: The journey to success begins with the courage to start.

Two Key Lessons Learned

Drawing from my own journey, there are two big lessons learned that I would like to share with those on the same path towards success as myself:

1. Failure doesn’t define who we are. How we react to it does.

The bravery to start might be significantly affected by the fear of failure. In some cultures, the downside for failure is so high that we are allergic to taking any risks at all. These cultures associate shame with any type of failure, and from a young age people are taught to follow a prescribed path with a well-defined chance of success.

Although failing feels negative, makes us feel sick and sometimes it shakes us to the core, it’s essential to note that it does not define who we are, neither success. Rather, it’s our response to these challenges that shapes our character. Both success and failure offer opportunities for growth; it’s how we embrace and learn from them that truly matters.

2. Be open-minded: Understand that we can always be wrong, and being wrong is the best way to grow

Accepting our failures or admitting when we are wrong can be challenging, particularly for those well-versed in their fields. However, as Adam M. Grant wrote in his book “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know”, we all have blind spots in our knowledge and opinions. Recognizing and embracing the possibility of being wrong is crucial for personal evolution.

I believe the purpose of learning isn’t to affirm our existing beliefs but to evolve them. When we acknowledge our mistakes, it’s not something to be depressed about, but be happy instead because we have discovered a new thing to grow ourselves significantly. Being open-minded can empower us on the way to pursue the success.

Final Thought

Different people may have different definitions about the key to success. However, for me, it boils down to one thing: Having the courage to start, confront and learn from challenges. When your heart nudges you towards something, don’t hesitate to take the plunge. I firmly believe that the lessons we gain from daring to begin far outweigh any fear of failure. So, trust yourself, embrace the journey, and watch how each stride shapes your path towards success.