This blog addresses the theme of understanding the Insights
associated with achieving success. If
you’re reading this from our website at KCarpenterAssociates.com, you will find
a lot of information about how we help companies achieve success as measured by
financial return. We have a rich history
of helping companies understand the value of their projects and decisions
across a broad set of uncertainties, and forming the Insights to Success that enhance their projects and strategies far
above the initial base projections.
Our approach works for individual success as well. I have
guided many developing employees in understanding what success means for them,
and how to see the uncertainty in their future as an opportunity to enhance
their level of accomplishments and their chances of succeeding.
However, we are all subject to the biases of our culture and
many people simply assume that individual success is measured by financial
accomplishment.
So let me tell you a personal story about just how wrong
this default approach can shade our thinking.
I grew up in the Midwest.
Both of my parents were educators during much of their professional
careers. My Mom held a BS in Biology and
a Masters in English. She taught
students from Kindergarten through Middle School in Missouri and then continued
teaching adults in Saudi Arabia. My Dad
held a PhD in Chemistry and was a Professor at the University I attended in
Northwest Missouri (Go Bearcats!), before returning to industry with Aramco.
I hold a BS in Chemistry with an MBA. Education is important in my family and I
naturally assumed it is a pre-requisite for a successful life. If by success, we mean financial
opportunities, then this is the normally accepted path for most of America to
“get ahead” and “succeed”.
However, when we define success as Happiness, our paradigm
quickly changes. The press is full of
stories about “rich but miserable”, as well as “less financially accomplished
but happy” people. Happiness cannot be measured by a financial metric alone.
Happiness is a function of many diverse drivers that most people have
internalized but may have difficulty articulating.
My son however, was clear about what would make him happy
when he discussed his plans with me one day.
It was near his high school graduation date when he said “Dad, I know
you want me to go to college, but I just don’t enjoy learning through a
classroom. I like hands-on learning and I want to attend technical school to
learn how to work on engines.” Ross is a
quiet kid, so it took a lot of courage to discuss this with me, and to have the
strength of his convictions to talk about what would make him happy. He also didn’t want to remain in our big city
of Houston, and was interested in moving to a smaller town, back in Missouri.
I confess that his news was not met with the warmest
reaction from me, and I could have been far more encouraging and
supportive. But we talked about it and
he convinced me that he would be far happier with his approach than the plan I
had envisioned for him.
Ross enrolled in the Universal Technical Institute, and
while he was an average student in High School, became a high performer at the
technical school, graduating this spring from the advanced diesel class with
honors. While attending school 30 hours
a week for the last two years, he also held a full-time job at an auto parts
store, working his tail off seven days a week and enjoying every minute of
it.
He’s just returned from Springfield Missouri where he’s
secured a good job doing what he loves.
Ross has already achieved more success by age 20 than many
people struggle to achieve through their lives.
I know he has the skills, drive, and character to carry him to further
accomplishments, and will be a big success in life, regardless of how the world
chooses to measure a winner.
When we redefine success as Happiness, we begin to
reconsider our objectives – those goals and achievements by which we measure our
lives. For some, it may still be driven
largely by financial accomplishments.
For others, it’s making a significant contribution to society. For some, it’s working on challenging
problems. And for others, it may be as
simple as doing what you love.
Ross was fortunate.
He found his definition of success at a young age and will have a rich
and rewarding life as he pursues his dreams.
For most of us, it seems to take a bit longer.
And on a personal note - Ross, let me add – you and your
sister are the most significant achievements of my life.
Love, Dad
