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What do I need to do to be successful in life ?
Like in academia and other aspects
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John’s Answer
Hi Isaac,
This is one of those questions that people have been trying to answer since the beginning of all humans. It really depends on what success means to you! Here are a few categories of success that you might consider. And I'll suggest a general process for success. When people say academia, they are often thinking about the kind of job they want after school. And they might be thinking about how much money they will need to live the life they want to live. I would suggest that we should be thinking hard about what kind of relationships we want. Most of us will want to get married at some point. And even if you don't, that's a specific choice you can make that's worth some thought. You can't really think this deeply about life and ignore your faith. So, if you are religious or not that plays a big part in deciding what you want which is the first step.
1.) Decide what you want.
Next up is figuring out how to get it. If you have 1 thing you want in life or 10 you need a plan for each of them. So where can you get a plan? Most likely there are many people who already have what you want. Some plans are pretty obvious. Some are harder to figure out. If you WANT to become a doctor for example, you have to go to medical school. The path is pretty well laid out for you. You just need to put in the work. Money is a little trickier. You can be well paid in your job but still struggle to pay the bills. There isn't really a class to take to learn that stuff. But you usually can find someone who is successful in any area you want to be successful in. Sometimes it's in a book you find on Amazon. Sometimes you can find things on Youtube. Sometimes parents, teachers or other people you know have already solved the riddles of life you are just starting out with. The point is for each part of what success means to you, find someone who has done it before, and find out how they did it! These are your role models for success.
2.) Find your role models.
Next up is putting in the work. There's no easy way to say this. But success is work. It's worth it. But no one is just going to hand it to you. Every day, look at your goals (hopefully you wrote them down.) Then look at your plan for your goals. And take one more step toward your goals. Every day. When you reach one goal, decide if it's time to add a new goal or spend more time on the goals you haven't made yet. You must work consistently for a long time to be successful. It's not hard work. It's not torture. But it is work. And you do have to put the time in. It's basically a meme. "Never Give Up"
3.) Do the work.
Lastly, is it's OK for goals to change over time. As you get older, you will want different things. You might find out that you really don't like something you thought you would like. Or you discover something you really want that you hadn't considered before. It's ok to change. Just don't change too often. If you find yourself changing too often it's probably you trying to avoid the work. That happens sometimes. Just get back to work and it will all ... work out. :-)
4.) Allow for change, sometimes.
Protip: Get lucky by outworking everyone else.
Best of Luck,
-John
Decide what you want.
Find your role models.
Do the work.
Allow for change... sometimes.
This is one of those questions that people have been trying to answer since the beginning of all humans. It really depends on what success means to you! Here are a few categories of success that you might consider. And I'll suggest a general process for success. When people say academia, they are often thinking about the kind of job they want after school. And they might be thinking about how much money they will need to live the life they want to live. I would suggest that we should be thinking hard about what kind of relationships we want. Most of us will want to get married at some point. And even if you don't, that's a specific choice you can make that's worth some thought. You can't really think this deeply about life and ignore your faith. So, if you are religious or not that plays a big part in deciding what you want which is the first step.
1.) Decide what you want.
Next up is figuring out how to get it. If you have 1 thing you want in life or 10 you need a plan for each of them. So where can you get a plan? Most likely there are many people who already have what you want. Some plans are pretty obvious. Some are harder to figure out. If you WANT to become a doctor for example, you have to go to medical school. The path is pretty well laid out for you. You just need to put in the work. Money is a little trickier. You can be well paid in your job but still struggle to pay the bills. There isn't really a class to take to learn that stuff. But you usually can find someone who is successful in any area you want to be successful in. Sometimes it's in a book you find on Amazon. Sometimes you can find things on Youtube. Sometimes parents, teachers or other people you know have already solved the riddles of life you are just starting out with. The point is for each part of what success means to you, find someone who has done it before, and find out how they did it! These are your role models for success.
2.) Find your role models.
Next up is putting in the work. There's no easy way to say this. But success is work. It's worth it. But no one is just going to hand it to you. Every day, look at your goals (hopefully you wrote them down.) Then look at your plan for your goals. And take one more step toward your goals. Every day. When you reach one goal, decide if it's time to add a new goal or spend more time on the goals you haven't made yet. You must work consistently for a long time to be successful. It's not hard work. It's not torture. But it is work. And you do have to put the time in. It's basically a meme. "Never Give Up"
3.) Do the work.
Lastly, is it's OK for goals to change over time. As you get older, you will want different things. You might find out that you really don't like something you thought you would like. Or you discover something you really want that you hadn't considered before. It's ok to change. Just don't change too often. If you find yourself changing too often it's probably you trying to avoid the work. That happens sometimes. Just get back to work and it will all ... work out. :-)
4.) Allow for change, sometimes.
Protip: Get lucky by outworking everyone else.
Best of Luck,
-John
John recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Megan’s Answer
I think this depends on what your definition of success is.
I tell students there are 3 things you need to understand when it come to planning your future;
1- Yourself- take a personality test like https://www.16personalities.com/ to learn more about yourself
2- Your goals- what is your idea of success? what are your goals in high school? after high school? what do you want your life to look like? Resources like https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ can help you explore careers to understand what you need to get there and salary outcomes
3- Your options- there are many ways to reach your goals. Know the different paths. I caution students that when thinking about career and college options -your student loan debt should not be more than what your starting salary of the career you are pursuing is.
My other biggest advice is in order to be successful- you need to learn to ask for help.
-Talk to your teachers, guidance counselor, and parents, and use your network.
-When you are in college talk to your professors, use your resources like tutoring center, writing center, academic advising, career services
I hope this helps!
I tell students there are 3 things you need to understand when it come to planning your future;
1- Yourself- take a personality test like https://www.16personalities.com/ to learn more about yourself
2- Your goals- what is your idea of success? what are your goals in high school? after high school? what do you want your life to look like? Resources like https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ can help you explore careers to understand what you need to get there and salary outcomes
3- Your options- there are many ways to reach your goals. Know the different paths. I caution students that when thinking about career and college options -your student loan debt should not be more than what your starting salary of the career you are pursuing is.
My other biggest advice is in order to be successful- you need to learn to ask for help.
-Talk to your teachers, guidance counselor, and parents, and use your network.
-When you are in college talk to your professors, use your resources like tutoring center, writing center, academic advising, career services
I hope this helps!
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
This is a great question and I would say that it starts with understanding with you.
Some people are happy with lots of things and material things while some are willing to dedicate their lives to non-profit work and improving the world around them. If I asked you to describe success to me, what would your answer be?
From there, setting goals that align with that vision of success and going after it becomes easier.
Some people are happy with lots of things and material things while some are willing to dedicate their lives to non-profit work and improving the world around them. If I asked you to describe success to me, what would your answer be?
From there, setting goals that align with that vision of success and going after it becomes easier.
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Hi Isaac,
Stay focused in whatever you like to do. Create a network and discuss with other professionals so that you can learn more opportunities within your interest. Always ask questions if you don't understand. Internship and Volunteering will provide you many opportunities to understand and explore your career. Go after and work hard on what you want in your career!!!
Good luck!
Stay focused in whatever you like to do. Create a network and discuss with other professionals so that you can learn more opportunities within your interest. Always ask questions if you don't understand. Internship and Volunteering will provide you many opportunities to understand and explore your career. Go after and work hard on what you want in your career!!!
Good luck!