Springboard

1. Define Success on Your Own Terms

In this book I will challenge you to answer two questions I ask my students to confront throughout our course: What is success? How will I achieve it?

Personal Vision. Success is not a universal concept but a deeply personal one. It's crucial to define what success means to you, independent of societal pressures or familial expectations. This involves introspection and a willingness to challenge pre-conceived notions.

Trial and Error. Finding your definition of success often involves experimentation and risk-taking. It's a process of trial and error, where you explore different paths and roles to discover what truly resonates with you. Don't be afraid to admit when something isn't working and adjust your course accordingly.

Balance. Success encompasses both inner fulfillment and outer achievement. Strive for a balance between personal satisfaction and external validation, ensuring that your goals align with your values and contribute to your overall well-being.

2. Happiness is Multifaceted, Not a Simple Goal

During the past ten years we have learned many new facts about happiness, but we have also learned that the word happiness does not have a simple meaning and should not be used as if it did.

Momentary, Overall, and Wisdom. Happiness isn't a singular emotion but a spectrum of experiences. It includes momentary pleasures, overall life satisfaction, and a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. Each facet contributes to a fulfilling life.

Mindfulness. Cultivating mindfulness can enhance your experience of momentary happiness. By slowing down and paying attention to the present moment, you can appreciate the simple joys and find contentment in everyday experiences.

Beyond Positive Emotions. True fulfillment often involves embracing a range of emotions, including negative ones. Suffering, challenges, and setbacks can provide valuable lessons and contribute to personal growth, ultimately leading to a more meaningful life.

3. Culture and Family Shape, But Don't Dictate, Your Path

I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, yet sets more value on others’ opinions than on his own.

Cultural Influence. Cultural norms and societal expectations exert a powerful influence on our perceptions of success. It's essential to recognize these influences and critically evaluate whether they align with your own values and aspirations.

Family Expectations. Family expectations can also shape your definition of success, sometimes leading you down paths that don't resonate with your true self. It's important to identify and address these expectations, ensuring that your goals are your own.

Authenticity. Breaking free from external pressures and defining success on your own terms requires courage and self-awareness. It's about aligning your actions with your values and pursuing a path that feels authentic and meaningful to you.

4. Meaningful Work Combines Passion, Talent, and Reward

Life’s too short for the wrong job.

Beyond Job and Career. Work can be viewed as a job, a career, or a calling. Meaningful work transcends mere employment, aligning with your values, passions, and sense of purpose.

The Sweet Spot. Finding meaningful work involves identifying the intersection of your talents, passions, and ability to earn a living. It's about finding a role that utilizes your strengths, ignites your enthusiasm, and provides financial stability.

Seven Foundations. There are many paths to meaningful work, but some common foundations include:

• Personal growth and development
• Entrepreneurial independence
• Religious or spiritual identity
• Family
• Expressing yourself through ideas, invention, or the arts
• Community—serving a cause, helping people in need
• Talent-based striving for excellence

5. Capabilities: Start with What You Do Better Than Most

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

Aptitudes and Skills. Success often begins with recognizing and leveraging your unique capabilities. This involves identifying your natural aptitudes, acquired skills, and areas where you excel compared to others.

Genes and Environment. While genetics play a role in your capabilities, your environment and experiences also shape your skills and talents. Seek opportunities to develop your strengths and hone your abilities through practice and learning.

Personality Strengths. Your personality traits can also contribute to your capabilities. Understanding your social style, action-orientation, mindset, and emotional temperament can help you identify roles and activities that align with your natural inclinations.

6. Motivation: Fuel Your Journey with Intrinsic and Extrinsic Drives

Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must first set yourself on fire.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic. Motivation is the driving force behind achievement. It comes in two forms: intrinsic (satisfaction-based) and extrinsic (reward-based). Both are essential for sustained effort and peak performance.

Basic Human Needs. Human motivation is rooted in basic needs, including:

• satisfying primal needs
• experiencing sensory pleasure
• achieving social acceptance
• feeling capable of autonomous action
• gaining status, power, money, or control of resources
• discovering and defending beliefs

Motivational Balance. Finding the right balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is crucial. Over-reliance on rewards can lead to burnout, while neglecting rewards can diminish your drive and focus.

7. Self-Confidence: Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone

It is not always the people who start out the smartest who end up the smartest.

Two Levels of Confidence. Self-confidence is essential for resilience and perseverance. It operates on two levels: Level One (belief in your true self) and Level Two (belief in your ability to learn and grow).

Level One Confidence. This is your core belief in your worth and capabilities. It's often shaped by positive messages from trusted individuals, rites of passage, and faith in something greater than yourself.

Level Two Confidence. This is your belief in your ability to learn and improve. It's fostered by a growth mindset, a willingness to embrace challenges, and a focus on effort rather than innate talent.

8. Focus: Harness Your Mental Powers for Achievement

[H]ere is the prime condition of success, the great secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged … put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket.

Four Mental Powers. Achieving significant goals requires harnessing your mental powers: passion, imagination, intuition, and reason. Each plays a unique role in the achievement process.

The Achievement Process. The achievement process involves:

• consulting your passions to identify a worthy goal
• letting your imagination and intuition generate ideas
• committing to a specific, challenging plan
• breaking it down into small steps
• improvising and adjusting

Avoiding Distractions. Maintaining focus is crucial for success. Avoid the trap of having too many goals, which can lead to mental clutter and hinder your progress.

9. Influence: Build Credibility and Engage in Dialogue

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

Credibility. Influence is the ability to affect the actions of others without coercion. It's built on credibility, which encompasses authority, knowledge, ability, and trustworthiness.

Building Rapport. Establishing rapport involves creating a connection with others through shared interests, empathy, and genuine communication. It's about building trust and understanding.

Dialogue. Persuasion is most effective when it's a two-way exchange. Engaging in dialogue, listening to others' perspectives, and finding common ground can lead to more meaningful and lasting influence.

10. Success is a Journey, Not a Destination

The only true measure of success is the ratio between what we might have done and what we might have been on the one hand, and … the things we have made of ourselves on the other.

Continuous Growth. Success is not a static endpoint but a continuous journey of growth and self-discovery. It's about constantly learning, adapting, and evolving as you navigate life's challenges and opportunities.

Balance and Perspective. It's important to maintain a balanced perspective, recognizing that achievements are only one aspect of a fulfilling life. Relationships, health, and personal values are equally important.

Meaningful Life. Ultimately, success is about living a life that is aligned with your values, passions, and purpose. It's about making a positive impact on the world and leaving a legacy that reflects your unique contributions.

Last updated: March 11, 2025