Qualfications and Success 1

[kHz]

Yesterday I read an article in the newspaper about the Director of Office of Strategic Initiatives in the White House. His job is to read and pose arguments/questions in an historical context for developing and guiding administration policy.

He originally went to Washington for an internship and never left, completing his bachelor's degree through correspondence from the University of Washington.

Other people are probably, without a doubt more qualified, and certainly have more education, but toil away for meager pay and obscurity. This goes for other professions, too, such as hollywood; Ben Afflek (sp?) is a perfect example. He is someone without talent, which is almost universally accepted, yet has gone on to become a household name and more than that, earns millions for each film he makes (even though they are box office bombs).

I realize that money isn't an overall sign of success. A teacher, for example, who has one student whom they influenced positively has been successful (in my eyes).

On the radio this morning they were discussing successful people and commented that those who can retire early and very comfortably, generally do not. The successful continue working, while those who would retire continue toiling away daily and are never in a position to retire early and comfortably.

Some people believe in luck, and would say so-and-so was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. I have also read studies that suggest being lucky is the result of creating the success from hard work, etc.

Comments?

 

[mmorancbt]

LUCK - in Denis Waitley's definition (and he may have used someone else's) is Laboring Under Correct Knowledge.

Certainly there is such thing as dumb luck - simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. However, many events and success categorized as luck are much more directed.

We are all faced with opportunities at different times. What ends becoming a more directed sort of luck is when we have prepared ourselves mentally and in necessary skills to capitalize on that opportunity.

To those external of the situation, they view the entire event as "lucky." I have had a few authors comment on how lucky I was to get published with my first book and in a short timeframe.

However, I have practiced at writing, read about the marketing of books, the publishing industry, how to create a proposal, reviewed other successful proposals and books, published articles, sat down every morning betweeen 4:00 & 6:00 to write so that I could still be a husband, father, technology consultant, etc. during the day and in the evening.

I certainly feel fortunate, but I am not inclined to view it as "luck" as some have done.

When I speak I sometimes tell the story of a kid in my old neighborhood named Andrew. Andrew always found money. We would be playing, walking around, hanging out, etc. and he would suddenly reach down and pick up a quarter, a few dimes, even dollar bills.

Eventually this got to me and I asked him, "Andrew, how do you do it? Why are you always finding money - everywhere we go?"

Andrew thought about it for a moment, shrugged and said, "I look at the ground when I walk."

I think he was onto something. To take advantage of opportunity, you need to be prepared to recognize it and be mentally ready to act on it.

By the way, great subject.

Matthew Moran

http://www.cbtoolkit.com

 

[Onyxpurr]

mmorancbt - great story!!!

I agree with you. Those that are successful, albeit on their terms, are usually so because they have prepared and worked to be just that.

My husband and I have been discussing this a lot lately. I just received my BofCIS in June of 2003 and will be graduating with an MISM in April. He's graduating with a B of Grphic Design in September.

Before I received my Bachelor's, I found myself unemployed. I had a good work history, however didn't have the degree in hand for the positions I wanted. It took me four months to find a steady temp job. At that temp job, i looked for opportunites to help the company. Eventually they offerred me a perm position. Last December I found myself in the same position of looking for jobs, however degree in hand, I found one in a week and for $12k more than my previous job. Luck? No years of preperation (school, work, personal grooming).

What may look like luck to the untrained eye is actually years of hard work from the 'lucky' person.

And you are correct about those who are successful still wanting to work. Hubby and I have discussed working after retirement (early of course), possibly opening up a B&B near Showlow. Or even a laundrymat. I want to teach or volunteer eventually. Even now we're talking about doing contract jobs after our 9 to 5 to keep up stimulated and creative.

I'm a firm believer in doing what you love and the success will follow...

 

[RiverGuy]

I did not read the article that you mention. I'm sure that the individual is qualified based on his abilibities as well as his education.

Ben Affleck's movies cost $9 to see just as B-rated movies cost $9. It doesn't matter to me how much he makes. I don't care about his acting skills because I'm not in with the Academy Awards, nor am I an acting professor. I'm sure his salary is a direct correlation of the opportunity for the box office to generate revenue.

 

[jaymaechtlen]

My daughter enjoyed a number of his (Ben A.'s) movies.
I have watched few of them, but got some laughs out of it.
I don't care what others think of his talent level. Looks to me like he does a pretty fair job.
ymmv

It can be toug to get our own attitude out of the way and begin to gain the "Correct Knowledge".
cheers
Jay

 

[willir]

There are those who we perceive as extremely qualified who really shine.

There are those who we perceive as well qualified who flounder.

There are those that we perceive as not deserving but they still shine.

And then there are those we perceive as undeserving who crash and burn.

I think there are all types.

I have known a friend or two who worked hard but always in the wrong direction. Looking from the outside-in, you could see they were heading the wrong way.

Then there those that I never liked that well, thought they were not "that good", but watched them soar leaving me as dust in their wake. I would be left wondering how the heck did they do that.

And then there are friends of mine that got exactly what they deserved. Worked hard, worked smart = success. vs those who did not work hard, expecting things to come to them and have yet to find their niche.

What I have learned is so far
- Working hard with a good attitude is a good start.
- Working smart is much better.
- Networking and communicating with others is essential.
- Make good friends and avoid making enemies (especially your boss).
- Luck, good or bad, small or big, does have something to do with the outcome.

But in the end, successful or not in the business world, we all will die. The real test of success is that when you are on death bed and you ponder your life. Do you have a bunch of close friends around you celibrating your life? If you have any children, are your children well adjusted? Can you look back on your life and believe that you really did okay? ...And are you ready and comfortable to meet your maker?

 

[kHz]

Well said willir.

I have been thinking of changing careers because I have become bored an somewhat uninterested in IT after 10 years in the field. One of the areas I have thought of switching to is education. Sure, I would only make half (if lucky) of what I earn now, but it would offer me much more internally.

 

[willir]

I have seen a lot of people loose their passion within IT.

I think this may be in part due to a more mean-spirtied business world (competing with outsourcing -- have to make the cuts some where, and is never seems to be from the top), more leveraging of leveraged solutions (which means that only the few get to play and experiement and make the technical decisions), and being treated more as disposable resource instead of as an asset.

Deja-vue all over again. In the early 90's, there was a recession in which many found themselves starting over again. But this time, we had the Tech bubble burst with Dot.com failure plus the push to outsource and leverage IT services.

Many of those who survived the early 90's tended to do well. I am hoping the same will be true after the existing phase has run it's course.

But it sure is hard to work without the passion. (Friends in the IT business remedied this indirectly by deciding to have their first child -- so now they can't quit).

Good luck with your soul-searching, and your decision.

 

[dk87]

Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers.