Over Winter Break 2008 I had the pleasure of attending an event at Madison Square Garden in which MSG Sports President Scott O’Neil. Mr. O’Neil is a highly respected figure in the sports industry and someone who had invaluable input which I still consider everytime the notecard which lists his “Ten Steps to Success” flashes before my face on my mirror each day. Hopefully those ten steps mean the same to you and you each can benefit from them. They are basic bullet points, but I will elaborate as much as possible based on what Mr. O’Neil told the packed house on that night.

1. Find Your Passion
   - This one is pretty self explanatory. Find what it is that motivates you. You will never be truly successful without being truly happy and motivated.
2. Outwork Everyone
   - This is another one of those points that explains itself. Do not be afraid to go above and beyond. There will always be outside influences which you must look past while you are pursuing growth and climbing toward success.
3. Know Your Business
   - How can one expect to succeed without knowing the area in which they are working? Take the time to know your industry inside and out. Without the expertise there you may never see the growth you desire.
4. Be Curious
   - Do not be afraid to ask questions. Although there are certain questions that should be asked carefully, most people in a company are willing to help one another and answer any good questions.
5. Seek Out Feedback
   - It is hard to improve without input. If you take the time to ask not only your superiors, but also your peers as to what you can do to improve you will be opened to a lot of great input. Feedback is important to help you know what you are doing right or wrong, even if we never want to hear our shortcomings.
6. Find A Mentor
   - Finding a mentor is a great when you need someone to open up to about what you are dealing with at that time. Mentors will often take you under their wing and guide you simply because they have been in your shoes before. Those people are willing and able to help you along in the pursuit of success.
7. Fail Trying
   - No one ever wants to fail, but if you are going to fail make sure it was after a whole hearted effort. Failure is something which people do not want to experience. However, if a worthwhile effort has been exerted then it is much easier to accept knowing you had tried your absolute best.
8. Don’t Settle For Good
   - Settling for anything but perfection is one of the easiest ways of making sure you settle into your current job for a while. The people who see the most growth and upward movement in a career are those who decide to present as perfect of a product as they possibly can. Those who present a good product will distinguish themselves as just good.
9. Manage Your Boss
   - Know what your boss expects of you and what your boss prefers to see out of their employees. Work to their strengths as that is the person with the most knowledge of your work when it comes time for a promotion or recommendation. Your boss is also your biggest ally when all is said and done.
10. CARPE DIEM!
    - The Latin phrase for “seize the day” is the perfect way to describe how one should approach their career. Seize the opportunity which is presented to you each day by your boss and industry. Each and every person has the potential to succeed, it is simply a matter of taking advantage of the opportunities we are presented.

Hopefully this information is able to help you while pursuing your goals and aspirations of a successful career, regardless as to which industry you plan to enter. Each of these steps are great to reflect upon when considering how to continue making forward movement in your lives. Always make sure to enjoy what you are doing and you will be well off because of it.

By Taylor Evans, Ohio University Sport Management Senior