In my previous post, I mentioned how keeping the basics right can actually bring about success in business or even in life for an individual. Right before I clicked on the “Publish” button – it got me thinking:

If being successful is as simple as just getting the basics right, why do people still fail to grasp the basics? What is it that is stopping them from succeeding in what they do – in business, on social media networks and in life?

It is not the techniques. It is not the skills. It is not that you do not know how. It is not the unavailability of guides or mentors. Sometimes, it is not even because you’re inexperienced (or very experienced). It is your MINDSET. That’s the component with the problem.

Here are 3 mindsets that may be holding you back from achieving success:

#1: Ignorance

Do you remember picking up that new piece of gadget, chucking the manual aside and begin fiddling with it immediately? That’s ignorance. You know that there is help somewhere (like, by searching Google) but it is somehow too bothersome. You prefer to have it hands-on to get working on something immediately, to learn from experience, but ended up taking more time than you should or missing out on a ‘killer feature’ on your gadget – and that could cost you.

#2: Common Sense / Know-it-all

The commonly known common sense isn’t really that common. Remember the times where you told yourself “Ah, I’ll never forget that. It’s common sense.” and you forget it when you need it the most? That happens because you’ve told your brain to put that aside and if you label all your findings and knowledge as ‘common sense’, you’ll never find them when you need them the most. I usually compile all useful resources into Microsoft OneNote. It isn’t the best software around, but it does what I need it to do – taking down notes and organizing them into separate categories.

#3: Complacent

When it comes to social media, learning happens everyday. You stop making progress the moment you decide to stop learning. Some businesses tend to relax when they’ve achieved what they set out to do thinking that the success stays with them. The truth is, your fans and followers can feel it when you’re laid back and eventually lose interest in you. It is important to keep your game up consistently and never remain too comfortable.

What do you think? What are the other thoughts that can derail one from being successful on social media?