Everyone in life wants success. It’s a strange person who wants to fail and feel miserable. Ambitious people strive to do their best. Indeed, they focus most of their energy on achieving their goals. But in their book, Just Enough, Drs. Laura Nash and Howard Stevenson of Harvard Business School argue that a single-minded pursuit to excel can lead to burn out (See an excerpt from their book on the HBS website: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/3966.html). A pursuit of a single goal cannot satisfy all of a person's complex needs and desires. After studying hundreds of high achievers who maintain lasting success, Drs. Nash and Stevenson discovered that they share a set of common characteristics. They make a positive difference and enjoy the process of their endeavors. They also have a complex, in-depth understanding of success, and what success really means.
What is success? Enduring success has four components. First, successful people feel their work is pleasurable; they feel content. Second, they believe that their efforts accomplish something; they feel as if they are mastering a set of challenging skills. Third, they feel they have made a positive impact on people they care about, and fourth, they believe they are creating a legacy; their efforts will somehow help others also find success. Nash and Stevenson argue that unless all four components are addressed, one doesn't feel that their success is real. People who don’t address all four dimensions of success will experience what Drs. Nash and Stevenson call the "wince factor." That is, they may feel they are going in the right direction, but they won't truly feel successful. They will be preoccupied with trying to satisfy components of success they have ignored.
Are you on the road to lasting success. First, you must find the pursuit for your goals as pleasurable; you must be motivated by the inherent satisfaction you receive from working toward your goals instead of external rewards. You can't be overly consumed with what you will get out of it, whether it is money, fame, or prestige. You must find the process of achieving your goals enjoyable in its own right. Second, you must focus on skill building. Success isn't easy and it shouldn't be. If anyone could do it, in what way is the task successful? You must gain mastery of a challenging skill to feel successful. Success is about constantly pushing the envelope until you reach higher and higher levels of skill. Third, you must feel that your success will provide significance and legacy. What is significant to you? Do you want to make a contribution to society and feel that you are an integral part of society? You may want to ask yourself, how has the world changed as a result of my presence? It doesn't matter if you receive glory and praise for your accomplishments. If you truly believe you made a significant difference, you will know in your heart that you are successful. And when you know you've made a difference, no one can take that feeling away. Once you have reached a level of mastery, legacy becomes an issue. Creating a legacy can be difficult. Teachers, mentors, and coaches often have a legacy that influences society long after they are gone. If you teach a student what you know in your profession, he or she will carry on what you started. Knowing that you helped teach a new generation of professionals is satisfying.
Drs. Nash and Stevenson present an interesting framework for understanding the factors that contribute to maintaining long-term success. It's in your best interest to make sure you feel your professional activities are pleasurable, challenging, significant, and help you create a legacy. If you address each of these issues, you'll be able to maintain the enduring success you deserve.
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