Life and Career Lessons from Stone Cold Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin is a beer-swilling, hell-raising WWE legend. The former champion-turned actor was also a guest referee at Wrestlemania 23 for the infamous Trump vs. McMahon "hair match." He talks trash and he is brash.

Say what you want about the scripted-out nature of professional wrestling - because even the participants admit it's fake. The fact is, Stone Cold Steve Austin can help you add value to your life, your work search and your career.

"What?!?" You might be asking. "Stone Cold Steve Austin? A sage? A professional wrestler as a mystical guide to finding happiness in life and in work?"

Yes. That's not to say you should pile drive everyone in sight, however. Nor is that to say you should spray hapless victims with cheap warm beer. But it IS to say following Stone Cold's slogan (emblazoned on his shirt) can help you achieve happiness and success in work and in life.

Arrive. It's said that showing up is half the battle. It's also said that a large percentage of success depends on just showing up. There's wisdom in those two axioms. What's left unsaid in them, however, is HOW to arrive. Not everyone can arrive to thunderous rock music while drinking beer and trash talking like Stone Cold Steve Austin - and even if you could, it's probably not advisable. But HOW you arrive is important. If you show up and stay in the background, you won't be utilizing your skills and talents to their fullest. In short, you'll under utilize yourself. If, however, you arrive, ask for a summary of what's gone on and make a few suggestions, you'll be seen as a player - and a leader. Another point on how to arrive: volunteering to arrive is better than being directed to show up.

Raise hell. If showing up is half the battle, then performance is the other half. Stone Cold Steve Austin makes some noise, causes some commotion and gets the job done. This is a good practice to follow. First and foremost, get the job done - no matter what the specific job happens to be at the time - and do it exceedingly well. Whether negotiating the details in a merger or changing a diaper, doing the job well is most important. Doing it with style is almost as important, however. So is letting people know you're the one responsible. You don't need to down a couple beers like Stone Cold - or demand high fives after every diaper change - but doing everything with style and keeping people abreast of what you've done will keep you on most everyone's radar.

Leave. Exit strategies are crucial. Stone Cold smashes a couple cans of beer together, pours them both into his mouth and looks threatening. While his style would not be advisable for most of us, one point holds true: when the job is done, he leaves. Lingering after the fact reduces your stock in the eyes of others. After raising some hell, leaving soon after makes a better impression. It also leads people to believe you're a busy person.

IN THE CARAVAN: Add value to your life and career by following Stone Cold Steve Austin's advice: Arrive. Raise Hell. Leave.