The Foundation For All Great Achievement

From Philip E. Humbert, PhD, http://www.philiphumbert.com

I’ve been studying human achievement for almost 50 years now (professionally for over 30 years), and the longer I do this work, the more I see that the “recipe” for achievement is much easier than most people believe. In fact, Socrates described it over 2000 years ago with the simple phrase, “Know thyself.”

I am working on a new book that expands this simple idea, and I want to share some preliminary observations with you.

First:  Know your strengths

High achievement comes from knowing what you do well, what you love and where your passion lies. Mid-level performance comes from people who can “get by” or are doing something “acceptable” but they are not using their talents to the maximum. When human beings do something they love and have some talent for, they are unstoppable!

Think about a teenager learning to drive, play sports or music or dance. Think about your own determination to be a great parent, good lover or successful investor. When we are doing something that “makes sense,” something that draws and excites us, we find a way to get the job done. Know yourself and go with your strengths, passions and talents!

Second:  Know your weaknesses

We all have blind spots and weaknesses. We have things we don’t enjoy, or don’t want to do, and yet too often we create lives or careers that ask us to do that very thing! How dumb is that?

If you don’t like detail work, hire a bookkeeper! If you are a quiet person, don’t go into sales or politics!

Unfortunately, most of our weaknesses are not so dramatic and over the years, we find ways to hide them or work around them. Then we end up in situations where we “forget” to do the books, return phone calls or calculate the budget. We get “bored” with meetings or annoyed with “those dreamers” in the R&D department. Know yourself and work around your weaknesses!

Third:  Know what you want

We all have dreams and desires. We know, deep inside, what brings us joy, what excites us, what fires us up. Sometimes, we get confused or lose track of our dreams, but they are still “in there.” The trick is to identify and express them!

The winners in life know what they want and they find healthy, productive ways to go after it. They ask, they poke and prod until they “find a way.” Recently, a client he expressed amazement that since he identified a particular skill he wants to develop, he suddenly sees people doing it all the time! My comment was that “when you know what you want, you’re much more likely to get it.”

Fourth:  Know how to express yourself

The final piece is “finding your voice” or finding your unique way to let the world know you exist. Some do this naturally and become entertainers, politicians or whatever. Others struggle to express themselves in the world, but winners always, eventually, find a way. They speak up. They reach out. They “go for it” and “makes waves.” They voice their suggestions, work for their causes, and make a difference in the world.

High achievement starts by knowing who you are and what you want in life. Then, achievement comes from going after it. That’s not always easy or simple, but winners keep trying “until” they find a way. “Know thyself and to thine own self be true.” There is no stopping a human being who knows who they are, what they want, and who is determined to get it.