Charlotte business consultant and author Chia-Li Chien recently spoke to Professor Pamela Hemphill’s class at Central Piedmont Community College about “what it takes to become successful in life.”

“Initially, Professor Hemphill asked me to speak on ‘what it takes to become an author’ after learning about my book, ‘Show Me The Money,’ ” Chien said. “But I knew not everyone in attendance would actually have a desire to become an author, so I changed my topic to ‘what it takes to become successful in life.’

The day Chien spoke to the CPCC class, it was hot and humid, inside and outside of the classroom. “It was 6 p.m. and still 95 °F with 85% humidity in Charlotte that evening,” she recalls. “I could tell most of the people in the class were hot, tired, and only vaguely interested. I began the class by asking who would be graduating in the next one or two years. All of the class raised their hands.

“Then I asked if any of them were considering making money and possibly owning their own business. Again, almost everyone’s hand went up. However, when I asked who had family members who were already business owners, only one-third raised their hands.”

Chien says that while you can learn many things in an academic environment, the best way to learn how to own and run a business may still be by watching a family member run their business.

“Although there are many entrepreneur MBA classes out there, I feel that the 33% from this group of students is lucky to have family members to learn from. After all my years in business, I still consider watching and working in a family business the most effective way of learning to own and run a successful business in the future.”

Chien shared with the students her secrets to success:

“First, to be successful, you must define what success looks like to you. There were several students who shared with the class. One young lady wanted to be a doctor; another gentleman shared that he wanted to be an attorney. Others also shared their ambitions. You see, it’s important for one to visualize how they see themselves as successful.  Everyone has a different definition. But without a visual map to success in your head, you may stay busy, but it will be busy doing a lot of stuff that may not lead to where you want to be.”

“Busy people such as parents, family members, future spouses, or friends will help define what your success looks like. It may be just because they’re nosy and want to know what you are doing after graduation. It may be that they can help create your visual map to success.

“If you are already a business owner, where are you taking your company? If you don’t have an answer, you can be sure that those same friends, family, spouse and colleagues will tell you what they think you should be doing. While others can be an example of success, don’t let their path define your success. You have full control over that.”

Whatever your current or future profession, there are three things Chia-Li Chien says are critical for success:

1. Earn 10,000 hours of experience in your profession. In Malcolm Gladwell’s Outlier, he talks about research of famous people such as Bill Gates and the Beatles. According to Gladwell, Bill Gates earned his first 10,000 hours of programming experience before he got his first commercial contract. Many of Gladwell’s examples showed the same pattern.

2. Become a Super Networker. With today’s social media availability, you can connect with people much easier now compared to twenty years ago. But the key is to continue building the relationship, and to not be only “Facebook friends.” You’ll regret it if you don’t make and build those connections today.

3. Become a Super Communicator. Strive to develop your writing, speaking and listening skills. Learn how to effectively to deliver your message. And of course learn to listen well, because the person talking probably has the answers you seek.

Chia-Li Chien is a business owner and leading authority on the topic of financial independence. Her columns can be found regularly at WomenEntrepreneur.com and FoxBusiness.com. Recent interviews have appeared in The New York Times’ “You’re The Boss” blog.  She is also a Midas advisor of MidasNation, a community dedicated to helping private business owners increase the value of their firms.

The book is available through ShowMeTheMoneyBook.com as well as Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and other retailers.

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FROM: Bert Woodard, Next Level Communications (bert@nextlevelcom.net, 336-978-0021), For Chia-Li Chien (www.chialichien.com)