The Principles of Success
Over the years a vast amount of work has been carried out on the topic of success. Many self-help gurus and academic experts have given their opinions on what it takes to be successful and a great deal of academic research has been carried out.
Professor Patrick W. Jordan led a comprehensive study which looked at all the major research and writing in this area, including analysing over 1000 scientific studies of success and over 500 of the world’s most notable self-help and business books.
Professor Jordan’s study established a definitive set of principles which, if followed, will lead to success in all areas of life including our careers, our relationships and our well-being. The principles are:
- Take Responsibility. Understand that we, and nobody else, are ultimately responsible for our actions, thoughts and attitudes. How our lives turn out is up to us and no-one else.
- Set Goals. Goals provide us with a direction in life. They help us to focus our energy on what is important to us. We need to make decisions about what we want from life and to set clear goals that reflect this.
- Be Positive. Having a positive, optimistic outlook makes life more enjoyable for us and for those around us. It also gives us energy and drive, making us far more likely to be successful.
- Persevere Intelligently. Getting the most from life requires determination and perseverance. It also requires a flexible and intelligent approach to life. If a course of action doesn’t work, we must be able to find effective alternatives.
- Connect with People. None of us lives in isolation. To be successful we need to have effective relationships with other people in all areas of our professional and personal lives.
These five principles are tried, tested and scientifically proven, and they have produced huge benefits for people who have followed them. If we can understand them and apply them on a regular basis, then our lives will be dramatically transformed for the better.
The principles and how to apply them are described in Professor Jordan’s book The Principles of Success.
