9 tips to get rich and successful

If you want to get richer, build a better a business or secure a promotion at work, there are crucial questions you need to answer. Let me help you learn what these questions are.

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Over the years, I’ve interviewed some of the most impressive Australians from Prime Ministers like John Howard and Bob Hawke to legendary sportsmen like Herb Elliott and women like winter gold medalist Alisa Camplin to some of the greatest business brains of all-time.

I suspect Richard Branson and GE’s famous CEO, Jack Welch pass that sniff test. And while I was asking the questions, my brush with the greats of high achievement taught me that these people are always asking the hard questions of themselves. And answering them honestly gave them their edge.

Life coach Tony Robbins believes in the power of asking the right questions. He has pointed out that: “Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.”

The one question that has always struck me as the best any young person could be asked, was directed at a young John Maxwell, who went on to become one of the great leadership thinkers of the world.

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Question 1

John said that when he was at college, he had a mentor. Now that brings me to my first question that will give you an edge:

Do I need a mentor or a coach?

The answer is yes, definitely yes! Lots of famous achievers say they owe a lot to having an objective set of eyes in their lives.

Question 2

John’s mentor asked him my favourite question, which every human being alive should be asked:

“What is your plan for self-improvement?”

One of the standout characteristics of the standout from the crowd performers was their commitment to making themselves better. The most unlikely people have admitted to doing things like meditation. They’ve also indicated that they were influenced to get into meditation by people they respect, who also meditated.

Gerry Harvey reads biographies while Mark Bouris does boxing to keep himself fit and ultra-alpha competitive.

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Question 3

On the subject of being competitive, Edward DeBono asked:

“Do you think laterally or outside the square?”

He argues the best competitors will size up their opponents and ask: “Do I have the tools for an edge?” This might mean technology, better trained people, brilliant contractors, efficient processes and a better understanding of what customers want. I’ve argued here before that Steve Jobs had a fanatical commitment to what his customers wanted but it was his determination to know what they want that explain the brilliance and success of Apple products.

Question 4

I can’t recall who introduced me to S.W.O.T. but a crucial question for anyone trying to build a business or a personal brand goes like this:

What are my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats?

Great business plans are based on these honest questions. If you answer them objectively, they give you the blueprint for a ball-breaking business plan. John Maxwell says you don’t have to become good at what you are weak at but instead make your weaknesses irrelevant by recruiting people who are strong where you are weak. As Marcus Buckingham, the author of Go Put Your Strengths to Work would advise: “Operate in your strength zone.”

Undoubtedly, thinking about and writing down your S.W.O.T. is a great way to see where your opportunities for victories will come from and what you must do to beat threats and weaknesses.

Question 5

So being objective about what we do and how people respond brings me to the great sales and marketing question that runs like this:

“Why should anyone buy from me?”

This question ultimately defines what you are selling. Everyone is in selling from retail assistants to schoolteachers to politicians etc.

Australian sales coach Marty Grunstein argues our marketing messages can say any words we like but they must answer the buyer’s crucial question: “Why should I buy from you?” And that’s why the greatest unique selling propositions will do exactly that.

Question 6

Obviously the piece I’m writing and your reading today aims to inspire you to re-evaluate what you’re doing in your business and/or your life with the aim of prompting you to do things differently to get better results. So a crucial question has to be:

“Who can help me get my competitive advantage?”

Question 7, 8 and 9

With all endeavours, you have to ask: What do I want? What is the price? Am I willing to pay the price?

It could be dollars to secure an expert employee, coach or partner or it could be getting up early and running 20 kilometres a day to get fit beyond your wildest dreams.

Make it possible!

So your ‘Mission Possible’ task is keep asking questions and try to make them better so you go looking for better answers. I promise you that day-by-day, you will become smarter, stronger and more competitive.