If you think about it there is no real secret to financial or business success. Hard work, consistency, the right idea or endeavor suitable to one’s ability, and the capacity to weather challenges with a positive mental disposition are well known by those who set out to and eventually accomplish worthwhile things. 

Enough books and seminars have been published and presented and the record is clear – success is simply the result of habitual execution of small things that eventually get big results. Truth be told, the people who consistently live below their potential are likely consistently being inconsistent with the things mentioned above.

Sure, gaining success isn’t as simple as I have just stated, but those things are the right foundation for high achievement. Along the way adding a new skill to your game, the ability to formulate teams, hiring the right associates, and scalability will need to be learned and deployed if one wants to reap the big harvests. 

Yet, success isn’t as big of a mystery as many make it out to be. Most of the time the people claiming some big secret to success are driven by profit, and their information typically ends up being what has always been known but said in a different way.

But what if I told you that there is a secret to keeping success? 

What if I told you that this secret, when violated, has been proven to be one-hundred percent successful at helping people lose their wealth, health, families, enterprises, careers, and the like. I am certain that you would want to know if there was something you could do that would guarantee that you keep what you have earned and to build upon it, right? 

Most people I personally know tell me that they don’t want to end up flaming out. They would rather not be remembered for having once done something great only to lose it all. Finishing life well and on top is a universal desire by people who achieve and accomplish notable things. 

Think about it: what good is it to be known as the guy or girl who ended up a loser when they were once the praise of their family, teammates, or associates? Barring an unforeseen-beyond-one’s-control-catastrophe, it is possible to complete this life a winner. 

So, what is the secret?

Humility. 

That’s right, humility. 

The opposite of humility is pride. 

A humble person is someone who:

• Shares victories with her team, but personally owns losses

• Continuously shows gratitude to those who helped make her, because no one makes it alone – no one 

• Never blame shifts or plays the victim card

• Owns her mistakes, admits them, asks for forgiveness, and then gets better

• Goes to those she’s wronged and makes things right

• Listens twice as much as she speaks because, after all, she knows she has two ears and one mouth

• Never says things like: “I am surrounded by incompetent people,” because if she is, she knows that it’s a reflection of her as a leader

• Respects her superiors and never criticizes them behind their backs

• Is always looking for ways to learn, improve and grow her skillset

• Looks for ways to be a breath of fresh air into every room she is in and never allows herself to become a toxic cesspool

• Affirms and encourages others, regularly

• Is always willing to share, when able and time permits, what she knows, and loves helping others try to achieve what she has

• Knows she has limitations, needs proper rest, can’t do it all and leans on others for help

An ancient Jewish proverb states that, “Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall,” and, “Before honor comes humility.” 

Pride is a sneaky thing in that those that have fallen into its clutches rarely know they have. Pride comes on slowly, incrementally and by the time it is full grown and realized it normally has already, and often too late, instigated an insidious downward death spiral. The end of pride is usually public embarrassment and shame. 

Here are a few things you can do to steer clear of pride:

1. Practice humility every day. Be intentional about it. Try one of the things mentioned above in the list titled, “A humble person is someone who”

2. Be brave and ask a spouse, friend, colleague, associate, or teammate if you’re exhibiting prideful behavior, and do not refute their response. No matter how hard it is, listen, and be willing to immediately make the necessary adjustments

3. Listen to what people are already saying to or about you, because if your spouse is telling you that you never listen it is likely true. If a team member has stated that you don’t share success and never own defeats, they are probably right

4. Are people avoiding you? Have the invitations dried up? Do you sense people are putting you at arm’s length? This is a sign that you’re probably in the throes of pride (or your breath stinks - kidding)

Recently, an attorney representing a client who had made claims against a national figure started enjoying increased popularity. His rise was meteoric. He was bold, seemingly courageous and spoke with a brashness that riveted viewers. Charismatic, physically fit, and immaculately dressed, he started making the daily rounds of television news outlets. His client, I am sure, was impressed with his abilities, and the newscasters and hosts appeared to be enamored by him. 

Despite his increasing success, the attorney grew increasingly bombastic. He made sordid and baseless claims exceeding the one’s his client had hired him to ferret out. The attorney announced that he would personally bring down his client’s adversary and even claimed he would replace the person in his present position as leader of his organization. As the days passed, his behavior became stranger, eventually leading to his client firing him. Sadly, rather than humble himself he advanced his war, taking it to social media and everywhere else he could find a listening ear. 

He had become a one-man-media-circus.

Suddenly, and without warning, he was accused of battering his ex-wife when the police were called to his condo. Simultaneously, and unbeknownst to him, an international clothing brand hired an investigator which led to him being accused, tried, convicted, and sentenced for blackmail. He was sued by clients for millions in retainer payments. He lost the suit against him.

Everything he once enjoyed; his homes, luxury cars, suits, jewelry, and lifestyle was lost. He had built his law firm over a 25-year period and in less than 2 years it all evaporated. He presently lives in a correctional institution. 

Pride claimed another victim. 

Friends, humility is the price you must pay to maintain and sustain your accomplishments. 

Loss and forfeiture are the costs you will pay for pride. 

The choice is yours – choose wisely.