What are the key determinants of success?
– Certainly hard work (10,000 hours of focused, directed practice to achieve mastery!)
– Definitely impulse control, self-mastery, internal regulation, mood management, emotional intelligence, self-discipline: call it what you will, the ability to intelligently direct your efforts to a worthy goal. Persistence and optimism certainly factor in as well.
To the above I would add a powerful 3rd success factor: Role models. Seeing others do, accomplish, and achieve deeply impacts our sense of what is possible, helps create our world view, the breadth and extent of our vision, our ambition. Role models do not have to be in person or close by, we have the power to pick and choose our role models. Many strong role models may be found in books and other second hand sources. Even negative role models can be useful; one of the most powerful role models of my youth was a vivid example of what I did NOT want to be. As Tony Robbins would say, they motivated me by creating a strong “moving away from value”.
Given the power of role models, it behooves us to pick both our heroes and our close associates carefully AND to remember that we too are role models for others, that our daily actions, decisions, attitudes, choice of words and topics broadcast our true values. i.e. “Your words matter, your actions matter. We look to each other for inspiration. Being a role model isn’t optional.” – Rolsey
Closing Quotes:
“Each person must live their life as a model for others.” – Rosa Parks
“Your kids watch you for a living. It’s their job, it’s what they do. That’s why it’s so important to be your best as a good role model.” – James Lehman
“If you can’t find a good role model, be one.” – Gale Anne Hurd
“Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it’s the only thing.” – Albert Schweitzer
As always, I share what I most want/need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier