Success – How do you define it? Part 2.

I am sure that there must be a million and one ways to define “Success”. Each of us will define it differently depending on which area of our life we are referring to. Many of us have obtained some level of success in our personal lives and career. What if you had to identify the components or “building blocks” that helped you in your successes? Regardless of what you do for a living, there are some factors we would all be able to agree upon.

Why am I trying to “break-down” the components to success? Recently, I came across the late John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success:

[Coach Wooden's Site]

Looks familiar doesn’t it? Although we all may have seen different forms of this, the layout is consistent. I’ve noticed companies change the boxes’ titles and their respective description to suit the industry or company culture. The common denominator: a set of attributes that build a layer upon layer – each bringing you upward, closer toward success. The most interesting part of the pyramid, is that the “corner stones” are “Industriousness”(hard work) and “Enthusiasm”(enjoyment). I don’t know why I feel that it is easier for me to work hard than to enjoy what I do. After all, it’s only work… right? I shouldn’t say that. I do enjoy the daily human interaction in an efficient work environment. When the people are team-players and understand what it means to get things done together.

Notice how on the outside frame of the pyramid, there are ten “virtues” that build the perimeter.

What is very interesting is that “Faith” and “Patience” are at the top – right before success. It would seem that after you have established all the building blocks below them and are “fighting the good fight” – now, all you need to is believe in your values and allow time to play its part. Funny enough, “good things come to those who wait” was one of my favorite quotes when I was younger. Recently, I feel like there is no such thing as “waiting”. Time flies by regardless. Whatever I can do “in parallel” I do it… and often. No doubt, having faith is part of the renewal process (See “The 7^th Habit”) that allows you to be ready to keep working hard and “sawing those trees”.

Before I end this entry, let's take a second look a quote that is quite fitting:

“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming”

-John Wooden

Notice that “peace of mind” is how Mr. Wooden defined success – not “the thrill” or “the rush”. I am sure many of us would correlate exhilaration or a “high” when we finally succeed at getting what we want. However, what we want is not necessarily what we really need to be truly successful. Study the pyramid – do the blocks give you what you need to succeed? How much of it applies to your life right now?

Success – How do you define it?

Over the course of the next month, I am going to look at some definitions of “success”. Not only the text-book answers, but some relative, human answers we all would find in our hearts.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I spent a week in Jamaica celebrating our 1-year anniversary. In addition to all the relaxation, it gave me time to finish reading “The 7 Habits…” in-depth and cover some areas of personal interest. I really wanted to understand them and make them a part of me. Why? I feel that there is more to life than just “having a job and making money”. Granted, it is important to have income, as it is the means to several ends. I want to work hard for all the right reasons. To be at the core of who I am. I want to be a principle-centered person. To be successful in all the areas in my life that are important.

The 7th and "Last Habit”- Renewal.

Is it really the last Habit? Not really. There is an “8th Habit”… and I am going to have to read that book next. The 7th and “last” Habit in the book is one I can definitely relate to. Dr. Covey calls the 7th Habit, “Sharpen the Saw”. The chapter starts with a story of someone working really hard for hours at sawing down a tree. When asked why does he not take a break to sharpen the saw, the reply is that he doesn’t have the time since he’s so busy sawing. Aren’t we all? We are so engrossed into the daily crunch and all the “to-do’s” that we hardly ever pause and renew. Renew? How? There’s more than one way for us to “sharpen our saws”. Dr. Covey suggests that there are 4 “dimensions” to this type of renewal: Physical, Spiritual, Mental and Social. No doubt, it’s important investing time in one’s self – aka “Personal PC” - Taking care of that which allows you to be productive. Think about it, if the guy had taken a break to sharpen his saw, not only he would probably get done sooner but probably stress and strain less.

Synergy - The 6th Habit

Before I started writing this entry, I felt like taking a peek at WikiPedia and see what was there for “Synergize”. It redirects you to “Synergy” [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synergy] – Click on it and read it if you like. I always thought of it as “working together”. Great. Don’t we all do that everyday? We all “work together” – right? It is not that simple. Dr. Covey elaborates on Synergize-ing as a form of communication that builds creative momentum when both trust and cooperation is very high. Remember Habit 4? The ever elusive Win/Win ? This is it. The pinnacle of two people (or more) with the win/win mindset. Imagine everyone were open-minded and ready to look at new ideas and create possibilities in an interdependent fashion – wow. Although I have seen the whole spectrum of businesses

Habit 4: Deal or No Deal?... Only if we both Win.

I meant to post this one 1st - sorry!
I had been anticipating the 4th Habit for so long... well, here it is.
If there was a game show called “Win/Win or No Deal” No one would watch it. How much could ratings soar during a show where everyone wins? We have probably been pre-programmed in our DNA (this is just my opinion) to distinguish between winning and losing. It would make sense if it were part of our survival instinct to “come out on top”. This is most useful when hunting – for if you lose, you starve and die. Not to mention the occasional running away from a predator, where losing means getting killed. No doubt competition must have been fierce to be the “alpha male” of the tribe. Therefore, there is that “striving to compete” in us as well. Times have changed since we were cave-dwellers. Like they say, the more things change, the more things stay the same. Most of the time, we will all look for the win to our favor. We want to still look for competition, and seek to be “on top”. In our new jungle of steel and glass, it feels sometimes like only the backdrop has changed. There is plenty of competition to be “top dog”, agendas to create “job security” for themselves and ego-boosting displays that are very much win/lose. So, is there such a thing where there is healthy competition where everyone wins? That is win/win? Although I have not witnessed this often, Mr. Covey believes there is. This is at the heart of Habit 4: “Think Win/Win”.

Think Win/Lose
From my experience, this is the most typical.