Stairway to Seven

My seven steps for business success

Gareth Macklin, Founder and Managing Director of Obbi Solutions.

Gareth Macklin is Founder and Managing Director of Obbi Solutions, an awardwining compliance, productivity and risk management platform that helps save companies time and money and mitigates risk.

1. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

As Albert Einstein once said, “the significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.” Feeling stuck? This is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone, stop repeating the same experience. How can you make yourself comfortable about feeling uncomfortable to drive innovation or improvements?

2. FEEDBACK? IT’S YOUR BEST FRIEND

Don’t fear feedback. Crave it, ask for it and use it to your full advantage. It’s important to not take it personally: all feedback is for the greater good. Think of feedback as an improvement opportunity and make sure to take actions off the back of it – don’t ignore it. Getting data, advice, direction and suggestions as well as criticism will help get you on the right path.

3. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE

Confidence is extremely contagious, but so is lack of confidence. Surround yourself with the right people who continuously push you to be the best version of you, get involved in professional networks, such as Vistage. Whoever you think is the best person in the field of expertise that you need advice from – just ask them. It doesn’t matter if they are out of your league, you will be surprised how many people are willing to help. Employ a team who are skilled in the areas you aren’t.

4. PRACTISE PERSISTENCE

Persistence is one of the most common qualities of a successful person. Giving up is not an option: the longer you persist, the more likely your success. Yes, you will get quite a few closed doors along the way and as humans we fear rejection, mainly because it hurts our ego, but if we keep our ego at bay and remember rejection is a part of life – it becomes a little less scary. Rejection is redirection – keep persisting!

5. GET A MENTOR

This can be different people at different stages of your career, even different people for different aspects of your life. They should make you at least uncomfortable at times by asking great questions or raising observations. Review your support team frequently to get new perspectives. Also become a mentor. That is how you really learn.

6. DOWNTIME

Being successful in business is addictive and can consume a lot of your waking hours. Don’t forget to have your downtime, family time, time doing things you love aside from work. Get out in nature, relax. Be mindful not to burn yourself out. “Make sure your own mask is fastened before you help others.” You will be able to give so much more to life, work, family and friends if you are in the right head space.

7. ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Celebrate the wins: too often businesses just get on with the project instead of celebrating the success. Make sure to show gratitude for the small wins too: tell your team they are doing a great job. Yes, it’s fundamental to set and reach your goals and targets but the real prize is who you become and who you brought with you along the way. From the late Jim Burgess: “If it isn’t fun, don’t do it”.