Success Information

The Ultimate Formula for Success


Why is true success so rare?

Why does research show that over 80% of people break their New Year's resolutions? Why do most attempts to lose weight, quit smoking and start businesses fail?

Of course, there are many possible answers. Some people look for the easy way out, and just don't want to make the effort. Others use ineffective or simplistic strategies for change, such as affirmations, rather than the more effective science-based techniques that we discuss in our newsletter and web site.

But the biggest barrier to success is this: True success requires strong performance in five key areas of life, but unfortunately, four-out-of-five isn't good enough. These five elements are:

  • Vision: Have a clear sense of what you want from life

  • Strategy: Goals and plans for moving toward your Vision

  • Belief: Confidence that you can make changes and succeed

  • Persistence: Working hard, and rebounding after setbacks

  • Learning: Identifying when course corrections are needed

True success is rare because of how these elements work together. The ultimate formula for success is *not* these five elements added together. Instead, the formula is these five *multiplied* together.

The difference is subtle but crucial. When numbers are multiplied, if any of them are zero, then whole equation becomes zero. Four-out-of-five just isn't good enough.

Think about the intelligent, well-intentioned people you know who have under-achieved in life. Think about the times you have under-achieved in your own life. Quite often, problem is falling short on a single step. Think of?

  • The otherwise intelligent person who lacks Vision and drifts in life.

  • The dreamer with an inspiring Vision but no Strategy for making it happen.

  • The individual who knows what he wants but lacks the confidence to even attempt it, or begins pursuing it only to give up because he lacks Persistence.

Remember the Greek myth of Sisyphus. He spent eternity pushing a rock up a hill, only to have it roll back down over him as neared his goal. He had a clear Vision (get the rock up the hill), a Strategy (push it), Belief (he was strong and confident), and Persistence (he tried forever!). But he didn't Learn that his strategy wasn't working. He didn't Learn that a course correction was needed. Four-out-of-five wasn't good enough.

Success is like a group of mountain climbers who are roped together. They move at the pace of the slowest member. Similarly, you will perform down to the level of your weakest step.

It's not all bad news. Because the ultimate formula for success involves these steps being multiplied together, it also means that this formula is "non-linear." In other words, a *small* improvement in your performance on one of these five steps can lead to *big* improvement in the quality of your life.

Ask yourself: In of what area of life is your performance the weakest? How could you improve? Commit yourself to making small improvements on your weaknesses, and you'll witness big impacts in your overall success.

About The Author

COPYRIGHT: © 2004 Dr. Stephen Kraus. All rights reserved

Success Scientist Dr. Stephen Kraus is author of Psychological Foundations of Success: A Harvard- Trained Scientist Separates the Science of Success from Self-Help Snake Oil. He was featured in Conversations on Success, along with Brian Tracy and Wally "Famous" Amos. Steve has a Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University.

To contact Steve or subscribe to his REAL Science of Success ezine, please visit http://www.RealScienceOfSuccess.com; Steve@RealScienceOfSuccess.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Global CIO: A 10-Point Plan For Success In 2009
InformationWeek, NY - 3 hours ago
Your letter mentioned my 2008 success in data-center consolidation, but we could have had even more success if Susan hadn't stonewalled my attempts to ...
CIO Replies To CEO: 10 Reasons To Keep Me Information Week Weblog
all 9 news articles


Korea Herald

Nearly Utah 60 schools recognized for success
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 2 hours ago
By Lisa Schencker The Utah State Office of Education honored 56 schools with Utah Title I High Performing School Awards on Tuesday and three schools with ...
Aggressive overhauls of troubled schools should be examined Honolulu Star-Bulletin
all 10 news articles


The Associated Press

GM leverages Chinese success to reinvent LaCrosse
The Associated Press - 2 hours ago
DETROIT (AP) — With help from its design team in China, General Motors Corp. is trying to reinvigorate the Buick brand with its 2010 LaCrosse luxury sedan. ...
GM leverages Chinese success to reinvent LaCrosse Fox 28
2010 Buick LaCrosse could fill tall order for youthful voice ... Detroit Free Press
2010 Buick Allure Autonet
all 83 news articles


Voice of America

China experts score success against snail fever
Reuters - 8 hours ago
HONG KONG, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Chinese scientists appear to have found a formula to get rid of "snail fever", an age-old but neglected tropical disease ...
Scientists Cite China's Success in Controlling 'Snail Fever' Voice of America
all 7 news articles


TVNZ

Low-key Eli Manning key to success of New York Giants' offence
The Canadian Press,  N.J. - 7 hours ago
Because you have had some success, it doesn't change your mentality or the way you approach things." Manning's closest friends on the team are the offensive ...
Eagles Notes: Success exists from red zone to the end zone Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants NFL Odds & Picks Locksmith Sports Picks
Giants' Jacobs wired, inspired to face Eagles Newsday
NBC Philadelphia - Big Blue View
all 1,066 news articles


Illinois State's success could be boon for coach Tim Jankovich
Chicago Tribune, United States - 3 hours ago
By John Mullin | Tribune reporter Illinois State lost its undefeated season Tuesday at Bradley. What the Redbirds may need to work on before long is not ...


Keys to Success for a New Leader
New York Times, United States - 2 hours ago
By Toni Monkovic Tony Sparano, Mike Smith and John Harbaugh had remarkable success in their first seasons as NFL coaches. The Jets will be looking for a ...


Recipe for Success: Presidio Helps Food Industry Manufacturers ...
MSNBC - 10 hours ago
To demonstrate how the adoption of new network infrastructure can be achieved while significantly reducing up-front costs, Presidio cites the successes of ...


Product Reviews

ARMing GNU/Linux Netbooks for Success in 2009
ComputerworldUK, UK - 21 hours ago
One of the surprises of 2008 was the runaway success of the ultaportable/netbook form factor. Now that systems running Windows XP are available people tend ...
Analysis: Did Intel underestimate netbook success? EETimes.com
all 132 news articles


Subaru's unexciting road to success
Los Angeles Times, CA - Jan 6, 2009
Despite these successes, Subaru, unlike other Japanese carmakers, hasn’t conquered California. Its all-wheel-drive vehicles are more popular in New England ...

Success - Google News

home | site map
© 2006