The successful man is an average man with razor like focus.
Bruce Lee
SUCCESS MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE; OFTEN CHANGING DURING THE COURSE OF ONE’S LIFE. DO ALL SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME DRIVERS?
We asked 5 remarkable men who have achieved success across aviation and sport our burning questions about success. Who do you find yourself agreeing with?
What are your 3 top tips for success?
IG: Have a good work ethic.
Continue to learn and develop no matter what stage you are at.
Accept there will be knock backs so be confident and resilient in the face of them.
Is failure an inevitable part of success?
IG: Yes! Failure teaches you how to refine what you are doing in order to succeed. Learning and adapting from others mistakes and outcomes as well as your own will streamline the amount of speed bumps you’ll get in the road.
What is the biggest knock back you have ever had?
IG: I have had health knock backs (3 operations on a heart arythmia) and many injury set backs. Alongside these there have been injury set backs with associated surgery as well as non-selection and loss of form.
There is no easy way out of knock backs, face it, make a plan and work hard.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
IG: Reflect before you react. There is merit in being open minded when people give you advice, particularly in negative situations
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What are your 3 top tips for success?
IS: Lead by example. Give your all. Be selfless.
Is failure an inevitable part of success?
IS: Failure is an intrinsic part of success.
What is the biggest knock back you’ve ever had?
IS: My failure to join the RAF at the first time of asking…!
What advice would you give your younger self?
IS: My advice would be aim high, plan on success but know how to manage failure.
What are your 3 top tips for success?
CLS: Honesty, respect, dedication.
Is failure an inevitable part of success?
CLS: For me the fear of failure is what drives me to do the best I can. However should I fail something then it gives me more determination than ever so, either way it’s a good positive thing.
What is the biggest knock back you’ve ever had?
CLS: Being rejected from the Red Arrows on two occasions.
What advice would you give your younger self?
CLS: Work hard. take one day at a time but appreciate the big picture. I live by the moto ‘What goes around comes around.”
What are your 3 top tips for success?
AW: Every time I’ve succeeded at something it’s because I’ve never given up. Through marine training and in the build up to presenting the London Paralympics, the option to quit never entered my mind. I never allowed it to. Though each and every day may be incredibly hard I think you just have to accept that it’s a really tough day but carry on.
Never fail yourself. Never stop working towards something because you’ve convinced yourself you’re not good enough. If your bosses or examiners think your not good enough they’ll tell you. Until that point don’t stop doing what you’re doing.
Give everything you do 100%. If you do this then 9/10 you’ll succeed. If you don’t, but you gave it your all, then it was beyond your control and wasn’t meant to be.
Is failure an inevitable part of success?
AW: I think failure is simply the outcome, and assessment of an effort. The effort is the important thing. As long as you keep putting that effort in you will succeed at some point. Fact. I’d also add that I would say I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded.
What is the biggest knock back you’ve ever had?
AW:Biggest knock back for me has be the accident.
I was literally living the dream with the marines, I did extremely well at the start of my adult career with a really good life stretching out in front of me, all I had to do was live it. Then the crash happened and I literally lost everything. No marines, No where to live (house totally inaccessible), no means of transport, no health or fitness, no girlfriend, no financial stability, little hope of finding a role in life I half liked. I had to learn and regain everything again. But I did, with a vengeance. I would never have been able to tell you at the time but I think my career is more exciting and enjoyable now! There are still things I hate that get me extremely frustrated and I would change if I could but in general I’m very happy.
What advice would you give your younger self?
AW: Wear your seatbelt!!!
What are your 3 top tips for success?
JP: Look after yourself. Do something you love. Stick to a daily plan.
Is failure an inevitable part of success?
JP: You won’t know where your boundaries are unless you push them so yes.
What is the biggest knock back you’ve ever had?
JP: An eye injury that required 12 stitches across my cornea and threatened my career but I kept positive and pulled through it.
What advice would you give your younger self?
JP: Look after yourself – your health is your most important asset.
Jim has recently been awarded an MBE. Read more here.
Do you want to succeed at becoming a pilot? Read more and get first class advice on applications from experienced pilot and trainer, Flight Deck Wingman.
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