The Ten Times Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure

Chapter 22
Successful or Unsuccessful?
I have been studying successful people most of my life and have found the
differences between them and the people who accomplish less worth noting—
and its not what you might expect. The distinctions between these two groups
have nothing to do with economics, education, or demographics. Although these
experiences and events certainly influenced them and their viewpoints, they are
not ultimately the determining factors in their lives. I can show you people with

---

no education, who were reared by broken families in terrible surroundings, but
still managed to grow their successes to stratospheric levels.
Successful people talk, think, and approach situations, challenges, and
problems differently than most people—and they definitely think about money
differently. Listed in this chapter are the commonly found qualities, personality
traits, and habits that make successful people the way they are. Each item is
followed by a few of my thoughts on what each category means. This will allow
you to become more aware of the kinds of habits and characteristics you should
be developing—and encouraging your employees and colleagues to develop as
well. The only way to be successful is to take the same actions that successful
people take. Success is no different than any other skill. Duplicate the actions
and mind-sets of successful people, and you will create success for yourself.
The following list of ways you should act in order to be successful is based on
what I have discovered about successful people and the way they do things.
1. Have a “Can Do” Attitude
People with a “can do” attitude approach every situation with the outlook that no
matter what, it can be done. They consistently use phrases like “We can do it,”
“Let's make it happen,” “Let's work it out”—and they always maintain that a
solution exists. These people talk in terms of explanations and resolving issues
and consistently communicate challenges with a positive outlook. They respond
to even the most daunting or seemingly impossible situation in a “can do”
manner. This attitude is more valuable than a superior product and a lower price
and is one of the only ways you'll be able to accomplish 10X massive actions. If
you are not willing to approach everything with the attitude that it can be done,
then you won't truly be thinking in 10X. You must believe and convey to others
that a solution does indeed exist—even if you're going to have to work a little
harder to find it. Incorporate this kind of “can do” outlook into your language,
thoughts, actions, and responses to everyone you know. Help your entire
company develop this kind of attitude by drilling it into them on a daily basis.
Take even the most impossible request and figure out how you can answer with a
“can do” attitude. Get yourself and your colleagues to the point where responses
like “Can do, no problem—we will handle it!” become the norm—and nothing
else is even accepted.

---