We have suffered the scarcity of the socialist years, and surfeited on the excesses of the consumerist age. Perhaps it is time to draw a balance, and arrive at the ethical and intelligent approach of thrift. More>>
Success
is what dreams are made of. Success is about making it in life. Fast cars, expensive
penthouses, designer labels—in other words, high material viability is the
new success mantra. Yet we see large hordes of people demanding to do more than
that by trying to find a common denominator for success. No longer weighed in
terms of tidy bank balances, success is now regarded as all-inclusive quotient
of material, emotional and spiritual gratification. Belying Alvin Toffler's apocalyptic
cry against capitalism and urbanization, success does not remain merely a socially
abrasive economic phenomenon in a highly competitive world. Today success represents
a holistic and positive attitude to life.
Attitude is everything. If
you think you can, you most certainly can. Success is not closeted within some
kind of brick and mortar premises. It assumes the individuality of a complete
act executed with perfection. Material achievements do not define life. We do
not remember the sports stars for the products they endorse but the spirit of
achievement they represent. In the abundance of positive attitude underlies the
grandeur of a truly rewarding and rich life.
Ancient Indian wisdom believes
that the most qualifying aspect of success lies in following the four Purusharthas(
tenets) of life. The Purusharthas are based on the four tenets of artha
(wealth,social security), kama (fulfillment of desire), dharma(
principles)and moksha (salvation). Wealth or artha means earthly
possessions and material gains. People usually work hard to procure such standards
of success, and yet, find themselves wanting more. Desires condemned by puritans
the world over, ismotivating forcebehind all action that manifests
as success. High moral credo or dharma is a life based on principles. However
the crowning glory to successful life is moksha or freedom from all desires.
Artha, kama, dharma and moksha patterns a rite of passage
for an adult life. According to Indian thought, success depends upon the smooth
transition of an individual through each of these passages.
However,
the culture factor definitely influences the success expectation among a people.
Kautilya, a 4th century BC statesman from Northern India, defined success as an
autocratic skill par excellence in his economic masterpiece—Arthashastra.
Instrumental in dislodging the Nand dynasty from the capital city of Pataliputra
and establishing the Mauryan dynasty over India, Kautilya also known as Chanakya
remains ancient India's best success story. His laws on government have been emulated
through out the annals of Indian politics.
Kautuilya stands for the
ultimate in shrewd statesmanship. According to his treatise on statecraft, it
would make better sense for you to reach your goal by using subversive methods
when you're up against a strong adversary. All out war is a good option only when
the opponent is weak. Perhaps another mind, which comes closest to such shrewd
statesmanship, belongs to Niccolo Machiavelli.
Associated with corrupt
,totalitarian government the political genius of Machiavelli was overshadowed
by the reputation that was unfairly given to him because of a misunderstanding
of his views on politics. Nonetheless he is revered as a political cult figure
espousing the most radical means to retain or procure power. The fact remains
that the Machiavellian Head wears the success hat in this world today.
Sometime during the 1950's, Abraham Maslow attempted to synthesize a large body
of research related to human motivation. Maslow posited a hierarchy of human needs
based on two groupings: deficiency needs and growth needs. According to his theory,
if and only if the deficiency needs are met, is the individual ready to act upon
the growth needs. When the growth needs are realized in an individual, he becomes
self-actualized. Maslow evaluated (1954) this self-actualization as success. His
basic position is that—as one becomes more self-actualized and transcendent,
one becomes wiser (develops wisdom) and automatically knows what to do in a wide
variety of situations.
Alvin Toffler, one of the world's most well known
futurists, published his Future Shock in 1970 which sold more than a million
copies. Painting a dismal picture about the fast changing world he made people,
institutions, governments, schools reckon change and deal positively with it.
When the world was reeling under the pressure of Vietnam war,flower power and
mercurial economy,Toffler compelled people to review stability and its role in
the development of culture,society and civilization. He taught us to deal with
success and its changing parameters and braced us for the coming world. Another
major figure worth taking a look at while talking about success, happens to be
Edward de Bono.
Edward de Bono is regarded by many as the leading authority
in the field of creative thinking and the direct teaching of thinking as a skill.
He has written 62 books with translations into 37 languages. He is the originator
of lateral thinking, which treats creativity as the behavior of information in
a self-organizing information system—such as the neural networks in the brain.
From such a consideration arise the deliberate and formal tools of lateral thinking
and parallel thinking, which, if put to use in the pursuit of success—it
might lead to better results.
For many successful people, the journey
begins as a search for the self-image or self-creation. As New Age guru Deepak
Chopra puts it in his best selling Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, each
of us is here to discover our higher or spiritual self. He believes that focused
and responsible effort, and a consistently positive outlook constitutes success.
Together, they form the key to abundance—not merely in terms of material
wealth but also in the form of opportunities that can become steppingstones to
a completely successful life. Says Chopra: "All problems contain the seeds of
opportunity, and this awareness allows you to take the moment and transform it
to a better situation."
Christopher
M. Knight's Top 7 Business
Archive of success tips on various aspects of life.
Edward de Bono's Web This home site of Edward de Bono provides messages
from the management guru on various issues, along with a list of his books, speeches,
and workshop details.
Success
Online version of the American Success magazine. The site provides articles
on successful people and how they achieved their goals in life.
Interviewing
Success Provides information for undergraduates to excel in job
interviews. Tips and preparation techniques included.
Success
For All foundation Comprehensive
site for children. Covering studies, laboratories, and success stories.
Includes curriculum, programs, and books.
Michel
Fortin Introduction
to this author with articles on success, forums, tips, and consultation columns.
Coach
to Success
Classes on success therapy with a list of programs in the offering.
Virtual
Success Covers topics on Zen Buddhism, and aesthetics for success.
Includes a bookstore and essays.
Suggestions
for success A place for tips on professional development. Also provides
self analysis quizzes, and methods for learning.
Interviewing
Success Provides information for undergraduates to cover the phobia
from interviewing. Tips and preparation techniques included.
Success
for all foundation A comprehensive site for children covering studies, laboratories,
and success stories. Comprises also of a curriculum, programs, and books.
Coach
to success This site provides classes on the success therapy and it also
comprises of brief items, and list of programs in the offering.
25 Qualities of Successful People 1. Strong self-belief 2. Believe
in action and prayer. 3. Don't major in minor things. 4. First discipline
themselves thereafter they try it on others. 5. Understand the value of enthusiasm.
6. Avid readers. 7. Copious note takers. 8. Adaptable and Improvise.
9. Skilled in time management. Set priorities. 10. Good listeners and
orators. 11. Good communicators and planners. 12. Make mistake but learn
from them. 13. Not afraid of taking calculated risks. 14. Identify and
use their moods. 15. Optimistic. Carry a sense of gratitude. 16. Persistent
and persevering. 17. Step out of their comfort zones. 18. Act according
to reality. 19. Enjoy their work/effort. 20. Visionaries with patience.
21. Focused. 22. Quick decision makers. 23. Effectively handle criticism/rejection/frustration
24. Take responsibility for their actions and lives.
25.
Are self-aware. (Carry internal-anchor)
