The 6 Things We Can Learn From Harvey Specter From ‘Suits’

The 6 Things We Can Learn From Harvey Specter From ‘Suits’

Most of us aspire to make something of our lives. We go to school and mindlessly listen to our teachers about what they believe is the best path for us to achieve success. Most of the time they encourage us to graduate college, get a job working for a big corporation and climb the corporate ladder.

Well my friends, it’s 2014. It’s time you take life into your own hands. No need to listen to teachers who never made it, yet want to tell you how to become successful. Take lessons from those, both real and fictional, who have actually been successful in their respective fields.

A great mentor that we can all learn something from is ‘Suits’ man, Harvey Specter. Harvey is a respected lawyer, known as ‘the best closer in New York City.’ As one of the main characters and partners in the law firm, Harvey proved to us that with certain talents and an ability to think outside the box, you can achieve a lot of success. Here are the lessons we can learn from Harvey Specter.

You will live a dull and boring life if you do not take risks.

Risk taking is a crucial factor to any person’s success. One’s ability to take calculated risks coupled with a little bit of luck can catapult anyone’s career from dull and boring, to eventful and exciting. Risks are a necessary part of life, and they bring a certain adrenaline rush to our lives. 

Of course, it is important that you understand the kind of risk you are taking because if you are blindly taking on risk without taking into consideration the consequences of your actions, you might be setting yourself up for disaster.

Playing by the rules will get you nowhere.

Social rules are enforced in order to regulate the flow of everyday actions we, as a society, take. At times these regulations may seem to hold us back more than they actually help us. It is important to understand that all rules are meant to be broken, especially when following the rules may prove to be a hindrance to achieving your goals.

Now, we’re not saying go crazy and break all the rules, but don’t be afraid to bend them if times call for you to do so. Just as you have thought about bending the rules so, has your competition. Don’t be the one left behind because you want to be a good Samaritan, while your competition is crushing you because they are cutting corners and getting the upper hand every chance they get.

Your appearance is just as important as your talent.

The first thing people realize when meeting you for the first time is the way you are dressed. Many may overlook this little detail; however, your appearance is crucial to your success. This is so because the way you present yourself has a direct correlation to the way people perceive you. You want people to take you seriously from the moment they meet you, to the moment they sign the check. It makes it easier to earn your client’s trust and eventually, their business if they feel that they can take you seriously.

 Know your competition inside and out.

When people believe in themselves, they begin to overlook certain tasks that will help them get an advantage. This means that they’re full of themselves, and in the long run, this will turn out to hurt them. No detail is too small, and no task is too menial, especially when it comes to your competition.

Life is a game of chess, and it is important to give yourself an advantage by staying a few steps ahead of the competition. Learn about your competitors and understand the moves they’ll be making before they do so. This is the only way you will be able to have the upper hand and eventually crush the the competition when the time is right.

Just because you’re a rookie doesn’t mean you have to think like one.

When entering a new industry, people usually feel intimidated by veterans just because they are new to the industry. Do not let your lack of experience hold you back. Learn from the best, and eventually, you will surpass them. Keep an open mind when it comes to being criticized. 

Although we like to think we know it all, it is important to soak up as much information from those around you as possible. Just because you’re a rookie doesn’t mean you can’t have a creative mind and think like a veteran.

Don’t announce the problem; fix it.

We live in such a fast-paced society, constrained by the hands of time. Time is never on our side, and deadlines always seem to come faster than expected. On the road to completing your projects prior to the due date, you will come across many problems. No one has time to listen to you complain about problems. You are in this position for a reason.

Your superiors felt that you were the best candidate to complete the task at hand, and this includes any problems that may occur during the project. It is important that you learn to fix the problems, instead of wasting your time explaining problems to your superiors.