The One Thing That Separates the Highly Successful from the Rest

By Kevin Johnson, Leverage Consulting

What is the one thing that stands between those who rise to great success and those who don’t reach their potential? It’s not about intelligence, luck, or even hard work. While all of these factors play a role, they aren’t the defining difference. The true separator is something far more powerful and transformative: relentless action.

Those who achieve continual success over time encounter the same bumps in the road and obstacles as everyone else. They face the same challenges with employees, deal with the same troublesome vendors, and grapple with the same market fluctuations. However, unlike the majority, they refuse to tolerate inaction. They understand that if the needle isn’t continually moving forward, their level of success will always be compromised.

Highly successful people are always focused on the how instead of what stands in their way. They embody the phrase, “What you focus on is what you will get.” If you constantly focus on problems and obstacles, you will continue to encounter the same issues, over and over. However, when you shift your focus to the how and the end goal, you start to realize greater success.

The road to success is paved with decisions and actions. New technologies or strategies can be incredible assets, but without implementation, they’re just ideas. It’s the people who put these innovations into action that make the difference. As Tony Robbins often says, "Execution trumps knowledge every day of the week."

When you start your day or week, it’s crucial to focus on positive change. Make this a core part of your daily, weekly, and monthly routine. Set clear, actionable goals that push you forward. Identify three to five key areas where you can make minimal or major progress each day. This consistent, focused effort is what leads to meteoric success.

Consider this: if you spend your time obsessing over what’s wrong, you’re investing in negativity. Your energy, time, and resources are consumed by problems, which only grow larger the more you focus on them. On the other hand, when you direct your energy toward solutions, every step forward, no matter how small, compounds into significant progress over time.

The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is often this simple shift in focus. Successful individuals don’t ignore their problems; they just don’t allow them to become the center of their universe. Instead, they become laser-focused on the solutions and the actions that will drive them toward their goals.

This isn’t just about positive thinking; it’s about strategic action. It’s about waking up each day with a clear purpose and a plan to move forward. It’s about refusing to be bogged down by setbacks and instead using them as stepping stones. Every obstacle is an opportunity in disguise, and every failure is a lesson learned on the path to success.

So, as you embark on your journey, remember to focus on the how. Identify your goals, create a plan of action, and move forward relentlessly. The bumps in the road will come, but it’s your response to these challenges that will define your success.

Make action your mantra. Let it guide your decisions and fuel your progress. By focusing on the actions that drive positive change, you will witness the power of momentum and the extraordinary results it can bring. Embrace this mindset, and you’ll not only reach your potential but exceed it in ways you never imagined.