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There have been countless famous people who have reached what they probably considered success but blew it all because they didn’t know how to handle that success.

We all know someone who dreams of one day being successful, but they fail to understand that there is a big difference between obtaining success and sustaining success. All you have to do to see how few people understand this is look at the media. There have been countless famous people who have reached what they probably considered success but blew it all because they didn’t know how to handle that success. Here are some tips on how to sustain the success you may someday achieve.

[Related: Bill Gates’s Top 10 Rules For Success]

Don’t Let Compliments Get to Your Head

When you reach success many people around you will treat you differently. They will probably begin to praise by telling you that you and your achievements are amazing. Now, these compliments are something you should be grateful for, but you can’t let them inflate your ego. It’s easy to reach a point where you begin to idolize yourself and look at yourself as exceptional all because of the way other people treat you. This can lead to a major fall.

Only Certain People’s Criticism Should Matter to You

The people that you should really listen to are your mentors and immediate family. When they compliment you take it to heart, and when they criticize you, act on it.

Take the Attention off of Yourself and Redirect It Toward Those You Are Serving

This is the best way to fight the temptation of letting those compliments feed into your ego. Everyone is tempted by that, regardless of social status. The best way to avoid it is to put all of the attention onto team members, people you are serving, or clients. You’ll start to notice that things don’t get to your head anymore and it will be much easier for you to sustain the success you have achieved.

[Related: The Science of Motivation]

These tips aren’t just for those who have already achieved success. As you work your way toward success, keep these tips in mind.

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Key Points:

  • There is a big difference between obtaining success and sustaining success.
  • Don’t let compliments get to your head. Suck-ups will show up when you start achieving great success.
  • Only certain people’s criticism should matter to you. Pay close attention to what your mentors and trusted friends and family have to say.
  • Take the attention off of yourself and redirect it toward those you are serving. This is the best way to fight the temptation of letting those compliments feed into your ego.
  • These tips aren’t just for those who have already achieved success. As you work your way toward success, keep these tips in mind.

Quote This:

Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value. -Albert Einstein

See Also: Success

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. How would you define success? Why?
  3. Why do we let compliments go to our heads?
  4. Who are the people in your life that have the most valuable opinions? Why?
  5. How would redirecting the attention you receive to those you serve help you to sustain success?
  6. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This topic is adapted from the Valuetainment YouTube channel.