September 7, 2006
Success by the Book
I’d like to take a closer look at the foundational components of the elements of Career Intensity, as gleaned from Webster’s, and examine their significance:
work: sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result
Three words jump out at me in this definition, the first of which is “effort”. No one succeeds without making a focused, determined effort. The second word that strikes me is “sustained”. Short-term effort yields temporary gain, while sustained effort yields lasting success. Lastly, I take note of the word “obstacles”. This definition makes clear the fact that overcoming obstacles is an inherent reality of work. The Cycle of Continuous Improvement, comprised of Personal Situational Analysis, Value Creation, and Value Demonstration, emphasizes the vital importance of sustained effort in overcoming obstacles.
career: a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life
I immediately gravitate toward the emphasis on “progressive”. You will only thrive in your career through progressive, stepwise movements upward. One of my favorite quotations, from author Julia Cameron, reminds us that “Progress, not perfection, is what we should be asking of ourselves.” This is a liberating thought. Successful people do not do everything perfectly. In fact, most successful people have learned to get used to some amount of imperfection and forge ahead in spite of it. What they never stop doing is progressing.
goal: the end toward which effort is directed
There’s another mention of effort. Pay attention to where your effort is directed. A big secret of success is that effort is not wasted—rather, it is focused toward a specific end. We all have the same number of hours in each day. Superachievers make better use of their time by being very clear with themselves and others about their intentions and goals.
value: a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged
What’s interesting about value is that it is completely user defined. Your clients may be willing to pay $30 or $300 an hour for the value you offer. You have a tremendous amount of sway in influencing the perception of your brand and value.
passion: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
Passion is the primary force that drives you to success, and this is why you should not waste your time in work that you aren’t passionate about. You’re not going to fall into a rut if you’re pursuing your passion. You’re going to be overwhelmed with the desire to attain what you want.
luck: a force that brings good fortune or adversity
If luck is a force, and you have the power to affect change in your life, then luck is in your hands. Through your daily choices and actions, you determine your own luck. No one is subject to the whims of the universe. For the most part, we can each control our own paths to success. Good fortune comes to those who seek it.
Filed under: Glossary
TrackBack URI
Comments
View Dave Lorenzo's profile