What makes successful people successful and how do they stay that way? Herb Greenberg and Patrick Sweeney, authors of Succeed on Your Own Terms (2006: Caliper Corporation/McGraw-Hill), have some thoughts on the matter.
Successful people, they write, are those who
- really know themselves, and
- know the world in which they operate.
Know Yourself
Greenberg and Sweeney write that the successful person defines his/her own self, reinventing that self as needed. Successful people are those that are able to look themselves in the mirror and be happy with what they see. They know who they are and what they stand for and challenge themselves to stay true to their convictions.
Know Your World
To be successful, they state, you must be able to look around, see the problems and be willing to fix them. Successful people are those who recognize opportunity, learn from past experiences, and confront life head on. They’re assertive in their world, focused on the present and aren’t afraid of stepping outside their comfort zone. Successful people make an effort not to take things that are said or happen too personally and they hang out with people that can increase their success.
How can you, as graduate students “succeed on your own terms”? First, define what success means to you (good grades, completion, work, etc.). Then figure out where it is you want to go (what’s your objective in this life). Define the qualities you have or can obtain that will get you where you want to go; and finally, take a step back and assess. You never know, you may have hit your goal (or one of them) without even realizing it.
If you’re interested in reading more about succeeding on your own terms, look for a copy of Herb Greenberg and Patrick Sweeney’s book. It’s not a road-map to life, but they’ve pulled together a good many tips from high achieving folks around the world that you may just find useful.
Until next time!
Lynn Byrne
