Tips for Becoming a Successful Person

In life, every human being certainly wants to achieve success, both material and non-material. The word success seems to be one of the reasons above all the efforts people make in all their activities. Success itself can be defined as achievement in life. A successful person is seen as having abundant wealth and a good life.

Everyone does want success, but not a few experience failure in achieving it. In Islam, success means that a person manages to realise what they dream of, especially in matters of goodness. To obtain success, a person cannot just sit still but must do something and make an effort.

Basically, everyone has their own definition of success. Some people believe that success is having sufficient wealth or a high position. However, there are also those who believe that success is not only material. A psychological, emotional, and spiritual sense of sufficiency can also be called success.

In Islam, success has a broader meaning. A person can be said to be successful if they manage to achieve what they aspire to, especially happiness. Success in Islam allows a person to feel happy in this world and in the hereafter. A person is said to be successful in Islam if they are able to provide benefit and a positive impact to many people, including themselves. Therefore, to achieve success in Islam, a person must have a firm foundation of faith and tauhid (belief in the oneness of God).

This certainly applies in the business world as well. Achieving success in Islam does not mean that we may not achieve worldly success.  The keys to success according to Islam are as follows. First, setting an intention. Intention is a reflection of what we want to do. So if we want to succeed, first set the intention in our hearts that we want success in this world and the hereafter. 

Second, having faith and piety towards Allah SWT. Faith and piety are two interrelated things, and if a person wants to succeed, they must instil faith and piety in their heart. A person who has faith and piety towards Allah SWT will always do things in the way of Allah SWT and be closer to Him. Third, believe in yourself. We must build trust in ourselves. Believe that we are able to face all those problems. And be confident that we have more potential than we know.

Fourth, seeking knowledge. A person will find it difficult to attain success, both in this world and in the hereafter, if they do not have knowledge. Seeking knowledge is obligatory for a Muslim, and that knowledge is the path to achieving success. A person who has knowledge will find it easier to understand things and strive in the field they master. Fifth, step out of the comfort zone and make a change. Do not let us be lulled into a comfort zone that keeps you from developing. Make a change, step out of the comfort zone, and face all the challenges there are in order to pursue success.

Sixth, increase silaturahmi (maintaining family and community ties). Silaturahmi with relatives and kin is one of the keys to success, and the virtues of maintaining the ties of silaturahmi are very great. So, let us not close ourselves off, because this can hinder progress and our personal quality. Seventh, always be grateful. Whatever Allah SWT gives to human beings must be appreciated, and being grateful or giving thanks to Allah SWT for all His mercy and blessings can bring more sustenance from Allah SWT.

Eighth, give alms sincerely. Giving alms, or giving what we have to others sincerely, is one of the doors of sustenance, and Allah SWT promises to multiply the alms we give. Alms that are given must not be shown off, because this can lead to riya (showing off).

Ninth, focus on development, not money. In building a business, it is best not to focus directly on money or profit. This is because it will make us quickly lose heart, especially if the profit we get does not match our expectations. By focusing on self-development, we will see every problem as a means of self-improvement. As a result, we will be more enthusiastic about finding solutions and drawing up new business strategies. Subsequently, money or profit will grow gradually.

Tenth, do not give up easily. On the way to success we will certainly face various obstacles and hurdles. Often these obstacles make us give up easily and stop halfway. In fact, not a few successful people have had to face a great deal of rejection and failure. However, we need not worry, because failure is part of the process towards success. Do not let us sink into failure and bring your steps to a halt. Make every hard time a challenge that we must overcome with an open heart.

Remember, not everything we want can come true. It takes hard work, accompanied by many prayers, and finally surrendering to whatever Allah decides, if it does not turn out as we hope. The key is to be more grateful: if you complain about the scorching sun in the daytime, be patient, soon it will be night; if you complain about the darkness and cold of the night, be patient, soon it will be morning; if you can make use of the scorching sun, you will gain considerable benefits from it.

We have done and carried out everything; now it is time to pray and ask of Allah. There is no harm in asking Allah while waiting for our efforts to grow, and hoping that the door of sustenance is opened as widely as possible.