I wasn’t always successful. When I was 20, I spent my last 66 cents to buy two gallons of gas for my Mustang. I was a mother of an 18-month-old son, my husband had just left us, and I didn’t have a job and a degree. I was anything but successful. Flash forward 30 years, and I was the first female CEO of a semiconductor company. But what does the journey to success require? What might you need to pack? And which items aren’t necessary? Whether you’re starting out in your career or are feeling stuck, I’m here to explain:
3 things you don’t need to achieve success
3 things you do need to achieve success
How adversity can be an accelerant
3 Things You Don’t Need to Achieve Success
When you think about the things that can help you achieve success in your career, you might consider the advantages that give individuals a head start. For example, having a contact in a respected position or money to enable your professional development. My journey from the trailer park to the C-suite challenges the assumption that these things are in any way prerequisites. While they can make your journey easier, here are three things you don't need to achieve success:
Wealth
While financial resources can provide opportunities, they aren’t essential. My story is a testament to the fact that it's not about where you start; it's about where you aim to go. Rather than focusing on monetary wealth, concentrate on your passion, purpose, and the value you can bring to the table. These things can be worth so much more.
Connections
While having a network of influential contacts can open doors, it’s not a prerequisite for success. Why? Well, you can always put yourself out there and meet others. When I was a novice dairy farmer, I began without connections and had hundreds of questions. I reached out to farmers who knew their stuff, and many of them were willing to share their knowledge with me. Soon enough, they jokingly asked why they were the ones helping me, as I was beating them at their own game. My enthusiasm got them excited about my success.
An Ivy League education
Attending an Ivy League institution can provide opportunities, but thankfully it’s not the sole educational prerequisite to success. In my case, community college education served as the necessary stepping stone to earning a bachelor's degree. Education is essential, but it's the thirst for knowledge, curiosity, and continuous learning that truly propels us forward.
3 Things You Do Need to Achieve Success
While wealth, connections, and an Ivy League education can help you progress in your field, they aren’t requirements. Fortunately, you likely already have the qualities you need to some extent, and may just need to develop them. The three things you need to achieve success include:
A problem-solving attitude
A problem-solving attitude is a mindset that actively seeks solutions and approaches challenges as opportunities for growth. Approach problems with curiosity, analytical thinking, and a willingness to explore possibilities. Navigating a career can be a bit like a maze, with high walls and dead ends. But rest assured, there’s always a way out if you just keep looking hard enough.
Creativity
While creativity can look different for each individual, for me, it relates to the way I solve problems. For example, each time I build a team, I examine the talent gaps, or white spaces, and consider options for filling them. Do I find new talent? Develop the skills within my existing circle? Regardless of your industry or role, consider the people and resources at your disposal and think of ways you can best utilize them. Problem solving can be an art.
Grit
Grit refers to the perseverance and unwavering determination to pursue long-term goals despite setbacks, failures, or adversity. It is the ability to maintain focus, passion, and resilience in the face of difficulties. For me, this is the most important thing a person can have to achieve success. I’ve found that establishing a North Star, or a set of principles or priorities, is helpful to guide my steps. Once you establish a North Star, follow it devoutly, but adjust its position if needed. If you come to a dead end on your quest, seek an alternate route. If you have grit, then you’ll find a way. Always.
Adversity as an accelerant
Adversity can be a catalyst for personal growth and success. When you face setbacks and challenges, you often find yourself in a position where you have nothing to lose. It becomes an opportunity to take risks, embrace change, and explore new possibilities. Just as our muscles grow stronger through resistance training, overcoming obstacles can make us more resilient, resourceful, and creative. Having advantages, like wealth, connections, and an Ivy League education, can create a comfortable environment that hinders personal growth. While overcoming adversity instills a sense of determination and resourcefulness that can drive you to surpass expectations and seize opportunities.
Conclusion
You can set out on a career journey similar to or better than mine. Never let your current circumstance deter you from setting your gaze on the brightest North Star in your sky. Instead, aim to develop a problem-solving attitude, creativity, and grit and you can achieve success.
Don't miss the chance to discover the 12 essential principles that guided me on my journey from the trailer park to the boardroom in my book Breaking Through the Silicon Ceiling! Order your copy now!
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