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

2. Believe That “I Will Figure It Out”
This outlook goes hand in hand with the “can do” attitude. Again, it refers to the
individual who is always looking to be responsible and solve a problem. Even if
you're not sure how to do something, the best answer is “I will figure it out”—
not “I don't know.” No one values a person who not only doesn't have the
information but doesn't 
want
to know the information.This response does
nothing for your credibility or competence. I don't agree with the claim that you
should tell people if you don't know something. How does this help the
situation? Do you really want to brag about your inability or think that the
marketplace—or your customers—value honesty 
so
much that they want you to
admit they are wasting their time with you? You can admit that you're unfamiliar
with something—as long as you immediately follow that admission up with the
promise that you will figure it out or find someone who will. Throwing up your
hands at a task will not move things forward. Communicate to yourself and
others that you are 
willing
to do what is necessary to figure it out! An alternative
response to “I don't know” is “Great question. Let me check into that and figure
it out.” You are still being honest, but you're inciting a solution instead of
implying ineptitude.
3. Focus on Opportunity
Successful people see all situations—even problems and complaints—as
opportunities. Where others see difficulty, successful individuals know that
problems solved equal new products, services, customers—and probably
financial success. Remember: Success is overcoming a challenge. Therefore, you
can't succeed 
without
some kind of difficulty. It doesn't really matter what the
challenge is; as long as you handle it adequately, you'll be rewarded. And the
bigger the problem is, the bigger the opportunity as well. When a problem exists
for the entire market and all the people in it, it becomes an equalizer. The only
person who stands out is the opportunity-focused individual who sees those
problems as openings for success. These people are able to use the issue at hand
to separate themselves and dominate the marketplace. There are countless
situations that most people tend to see as setbacks and nothing else: recessions,
unemployment, housing predicaments, conflict, customer complaints, and
company shutdowns, to name a few. If you can learn to see these as prospects
instead of problems, you'll continually come out on top.

---