Issue 19 February 3, 2004

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In this Issue:

What does it take to be successful?

We all probably know people who we recognize as being highly successful in their endeavors. Perhaps you yourself are one of those. We also probably know those we observe to be less than successful. What appears to be the difference between these two groups?

Certainly, knowledge and skills play a big part in ones success. Successful people generally have a great deal of knowledge in those areas where they achieve success, and they have developed skills that help them deploy that knowledge. But, very often we find very knowledgeable, highly educated and skilled people who never seem to achieve the pinnacle of success that they desire. So what makes the difference?

One area that seems to stand out as a major factor in successful people is Attitudes. Our attitudes are our patterns of thinking and to a large degree may be quite unconscious to us. Successful people tend to follow a paradigm of self-direction, self discipline and self-responsibility. They understand what is required for their success and commit themselves to acquire the knowledge and skills to drive them toward that success.

Another area that seems to define successful people is Habits. Habits are those actions that we regularly perform without much conscious thought. Successful people understand what actions they need follow to reach their success and develop those actions into habits.

Behavioral studies of both individual business owner and larger organizations have found that in cases of poor performance at a particular job, rarely is it a matter of insufficient skills or knowledge, but rather a matter of inappropriate attitudes and habits. So why is it that s much as ninety-five percent of development activity (both personal and organizational) is centered on skills and knowledge, rather than developing attitudes and habits?

The obvious answer to this question is that it is much easier to impart and develop skills and knowledge than it is to develop attitudes and habits. Our attitudes, which form a large part of our personality, were largely formed unconsciously and at a very early age. So does this mean that we are just a product of the past, and that only those who have previously developed attitudes toward their own success can achieve it? Fortunately not, attitudes are developed; therefore, they can be changed, developed further or improved. In fact, William James, often called the father of American Psychology, said, "The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." You can change attitudes, but it must be a conscious attempt. Unless you make the attempt develop new attitudes and the habits to support them, you will remain in your usual paradigm, which may be OK - or maybe not. The decision is yours to make.

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John Yost

ProCompass Management Services

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