Do you have something that you are good at, or perhaps a business that you want to grow? We all want to excel at something. We all want to be needed. But if everyone wants the same thing, why do only a few people get to their goals? There has to be a secret to their success, right? I wanted to find it. So I went on to study successful people, to learn how they got to where they are.
They all had some fundamental thoughts and ideas, combined with simple strategies. Those strategies have remained the same for thousands of years. All you need to do is follow the recipe -- and just as with cooking, when you do everything right, success will follow.
Here are some tips you need to know to reach the top 10% in your field.
How to Join the Top 10% of Professionals in Your Field
Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.- John Maxwell
Understand what you want
The best way to gain excellence is to love your work so much that you stop calling it work. So what do you love, and why do you love it? Which activities do you like, and why? Study your behaviors. If you don't like your work, find something you like and build a plan to get into that field. Don't settle for less than you deserve.
Set it as a goal
Turn that vision into a measure of your success. Set a target on where you want to get. Write it down. Program yourself and don't forget about it until you reach it. It will be only a matter of time until you get there.
Learn from the success of others
Understand that if someone else did it, you can too. There are people up there who followed a certain path to get to where they are. Their stories are usually out there for you to find. What did they do to reach their goals? Study their experience. Ask questions. Learn the strategies.
Believe in yourself
Stop self-doubting. Together with complaining, they are the guarantee of your failure. If you want to reach the top 10%, you have to forget about those notions. Remember that everyone who ever reached the top 10% in their field was once in the bottom 10%. What that means is that anyone can do it, and that you are no exception.
Become an expert
Learn from the experts in your field. Study hard to gain excellence. Every day you should spend at least one hour (better two!) to study your field. Improve in it. Gain new knowledge and ideas. There are no limits to learning. Progress never stops.
Be consistent and persistent
You have to keep going until you reach your goal. Don't stop for breaks, and don't quit. That's the key ingredient in your recipe. Nothing works the first time. It's said that it took Thomas Edison more than 1,000 attempts to create the first electric light bulb. That means he made 999 failed attempts. As he famously said, most people fail only because they quit without realizing how close they were to success.
Final thoughts
We often set low goals for ourselves because we think everything else is impossible. Our beliefs system is based on the previous experience we've had, combined with what we learned from the experience of our parents, relatives, and friends. But if we focus on those negative experiences instead of on our own goal, we program ourselves for less.
Past failures don't mean your goal is impossible. They just mean we shouldn't make the same mistakes. That is why I find the third point about learning from others' successes so important. By studying the successes of other people who achieved what you want, you gain a new understanding of what is possible. Associate yourself with those people. Be happy for their success. That's how you attract it into your own life.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.