DISCLAIMER ALERT… “AFTER READING THIS ARTICLE YOU WON’T BE THE SAME YOUTH WORKER EVER AGAIN.”

I am sharing my top five tips on how to become more successful which has made me into what I am now as a youth worker and also a very successful entrepreneur if I may say so. So here’s the deal keep an open mind when you’re reading this so that you can benefit from the contents provided.

I have only listed 5 out the 75 (hidden the rest well protected and locked up) that I personally use as a professional and also personally in my own life. At time or austerity and uncertainty within the youth service DON’T YOU think it’s Time To Step Up The Game. HELL yes, absolutely 100%.

When it comes to life and business as youth workers, it is no coincidence that some people always seem to fail while others always seem to flourish. For sure, chance plays a role in everything. But as individuals, as business-owners, as thinkers, and as parents, we have a significant degree of control over our lives.

Now, as a youth worker, you can use the control that you have to influence outcomes in bad ways. Or you can use it to influence outcomes in you’re favour, and in the favour of those you care about most in your profession which are?… Young people of course and change lives. Remember this you have a duty to young people to provide the best possible service which they deserve, If you use this power as a youth worker poorly, then you’re doing a disservice to them.

When you use it poorly or when you don’t use it at all, it should come as no surprise to you that your outcomes as a youth worker will turn out to be bad. And when you use it thoughtfully and carefully in your career, it should similarly be less surprising when you succeed.

Let me give you an example. At work,  in your organisation your employer considers you for a promotion to become the next youth work manager; however, at the same time, she also considers several of your co-workers for a promotion, too.

Now, as many do, you might immediately say “there’s nothing I can do to influence my boss in my favour. Instead, this decision will be determined by things that are out of my control.” And, of course, when the day comes, you’ll not get that promotion.

Instead, someone who pushed hard to demonstrate his worthiness for the position will get the job. And you will be left wondering why that person is always successful; and always gets promotions, raises, and the adoration of management.

You might even feel resentment towards that person, even though you consider him a friend.

When it comes down to it, though, it wasn’t your friend who caused you to miss the promotion (or at least not to give yourself the best shot at getting it). Rather, it was your own behaviour that prevented your boss from seriously considering you as a candidate.

Fortunately for you, this article is all about situations just like the one we described above. It’s about feeling powerless when you’re not; experiencing bad outcomes when there’s no reason to; and finally, it’s about making sure this problem stops.

Most importantly, this article is about success. It is about extracting the characteristics of others that make them successful at work, in parenthood, or in the workplace; and then adopting those characteristics for your own use.

Success in Managing or Running a Business

In these five tips, I will provide you with tips for achieving success in business. It doesn’t matter whether you own a business, want to own a business, or play an important managerial role in your youth work service, there are certain traits and habits that you can adopt that will determine whether or not you can be successful in the long term. In this section, I will cover 5 from the 75 of the tips that I think are most important. These tips have helped me grow as a youth worker and also in my own entrepreneurial journey.

So, without further ado, let’s take the plunge.

• Today, you will stop telling yourself that you have no control over your life; and today,
• You will learn exactly what it means to take that control,
• Grasp it firmly, and use it to achieve success in all areas of your life.

#1 – Stop Complaining

Whenever it comes to success and business, the best place to start is by committing yourself to not complaining. Of course, it is perfectly fine to raise concerns, to question dubious choices, and to remain thoughtful and analytical at all times.

However, needless and persistent complaining generally accomplishes nothing positive. To the contrary,

• It drags you down,
• Reflects poorly on you and your character,
• And can transform otherwise productive co-workers into cynical, whining unproductive co-workers.

In short, focus on solving problems, not complaining that they cannot be solved. Life is to short to dwell on the past and complain. Learn how to move on and then you can see yourself having a positive outlook in your own life and your career

#2 – Strive to Reach Your Full Potential

One of the things that prevent many youth workers from achieving the best possible outcome is complacency. Once they begin to do well at something in their workplace or business— be it managing junior youth workers, inspiring employees, or something else—they take a miniature mental vacation. (Can you relate to this

That is—instead of ratcheting things up further, they let things play out and contribute nothing additional. What happens is that they get too comfortable in their role as senior youth worker/youth worker and become lazy. The usual end result of this is generally not positive.

So, instead of being complacent, push hard to reach your full potential at every turn. You know you can as you have it in you. Take the next promotion that comes to you. Don’t wait for it grab it

Create a Habit in reading. As the saying goes reading books is providing food for your brains. As youth workers by nature, we are life couches, we teach, train staff, young people all the time. Here is a good book to read it’s from Michael Bungay Stainer who is the author of the book called THE COACHING HABIT. I have just started reading the book and so far I am enjoying the book and it’s going to be a good read. So get into the habit of reading. every second/minute you get to make some time to read in your workplace.

#3 – Limit Your Use of Short-Cuts

Of course, some shortcuts are a good thing. If you can find a way to go from point A to point B in half of the time and there is no downside to the new route, then you should, of course, take it.

But in many instances in business, we do face tradeoffs. For instance, we might be able to cut costs by not giving employees a raise, but as a result, they might become disgruntled and intentionally shirk their duties.

So, in general, limit your use of shortcuts. But if you see one that’s good and doesn’t appear to have a downside, then seize it.

#4 – Be a Continuous Learner

People have different learning styles. Some learn all the time, and find ways to incorporate that learning into their lives as they go. These people are continuous learners.

On the other hand, most of us learn in discrete chunks. For instance, we might find out how to use a new software program, but immediately after doing so, we will cease to learn anything new about it until it is absolutely necessary.

In general, those who learn in discrete chunks often find themselves at a serious disadvantage, as they often neglect to learn many important new things about products, people, and tools they interact with on a daily basis.

So try to be a continuous learner. It may be difficult, but you’ll be happy you made the switch. Here are some of the ways you can be continuously learning.

1. Vist Blogs
2. Read Journal/articles
3. Watch Youtube Videos 
4. Attend Seminars related to your field
5. Associate and network with people who are higher in rank. 
6. Invest in yourself
7. Join A Facebook Group (Here’s my FB Group come and say hello)

I wanna remind you of a quote from Warren Buffett that I came across that has made realise the importance of learning.

“The most important investment you can make is in yourself.”

#5 – Always Have a Plan – Even if You Don’t Use It

Some people serially-plan their lives. For each minute of the day, they have something scheduled. Like clockwork, their days play out with very few unforeseen events.

Initially, you might think this sounds boring and inspiring, but in business, it is the status quo among those who are most successful. And remember, even if you don’t opt to use your plan, at least you will have the option to do so.

I leave you this quote and wish you all the success in your youth work career or as an entrepreneur.

“Imagine that you had a car and that was the only car you’d have for your entire lifetime. Of course, you’d care for it well, changing the oil more frequently than necessary, driving carefully, etc. Now, consider that you only have one mind and one body. Prepare them for life, care for them. You can enhance your mind over time. A person’s main asset is themselves, so preserve and enhance yourself.” Warren Buffet