9. Measure everything of significance.
I swear this is true. Anything that is measured and watched, improves.

10. Not managing it? It will deteriorate.
If you want to uncover problems you don’t know about, take a few moments and look closely at the areas you haven’t examined for a while. I guarantee your problems will be there. So start managing the part that needs managing, before it’s too late to be fixed.

11. Pay attention to your competitors and what they’re doing.
Remember this saying from Sun-Tzu’s Art of War is “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” When you look at your competitors, everything looks perfect at a distance. But try to take a look closer at what they are doing. You may find something very useful to your business there.

12. Never let anyone push you around.
Don’t just take “No” for an answer. In our society and all the laws of the country, you have just as much right to what you’re doing as anyone else, provided that what you’re doing is legal. Think creatively and be persistent, there are definitely some rules you can bend.

13. Never expect life to be fair.
Life can never be fair. Are you born with certain disability? Do you always get what you pay for? It is because of this, we start to see where we are and how we can do something better. If everything was the same for everyone, you won’t have any advantage over your competitors, agree with me?

14. Solve your own problems.
You’ll find that by coming up with your own solutions, you’ll develop a competitive edge. Masura Ibuka, the co-founder of SONY, said it best: “You never succeed in technology, business, or anything by following the others.” There’s also an old Asian saying that I remind myself of frequently. It goes like this: “A wise man keeps his own counsel.”

15. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
If you’ve taken some giant steps in your life, that’s good. But once a while, take a deep breath and lighten up. Often, half of what we accomplish is due to luck. None of us are in control as much as we think we are. I believe if we’ve done our best, God will do the rest for us.

16. There’s always a reason to smile.
Be happy for other reasons. After all, you’re really lucky to be alive. Life is definitely too short. I agree with my best friend. He always reminds me “We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time!”

17. The secret of living is giving.
Everytime we breathe in, we are absorbing energy that belongs to the Universe. We were given the chance to live. The only way to appreciate your life is by giving back to life itself. Everyone out there deserves a better life. If we can, let’s help those who are in need. Do some charity. Clothe the cold. Shelter the homeless. Feed the children. Give with your heart, and will find the fountain of life.

18. Success and life is a journey, not a destination!
Finally, whereever you’re heading to, whatever you are trying to achieve, we are on a meaningful journey. As we move along, we find our purpose in life and that brings us closer to our dreams. “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to have taken part. Just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle.”

Read the first part here: 18 Rules of Success - Part 1

18 Rules of Success - Part 1 | 18 Rules of Success - Part 2