First post in a long while…sometimes life gets in the way.
I’ve been thinking about a new frame of student success – and re-read the first chapter in Eric Barker’s book, “Barking Up the Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success is (Mostly) Wrong” (2017). With that subtitle, why wouldn’t more people be interested in reading this book? Their loss.
There aren’t many books that have me hooked right away – this book was certainly a read I could not put down. Case in point – Chapter 1: Should We Play It Safe and Do What We’re Told If We Want to Succeed? Near the end of the chapter, he asks the question, “How do I use it (Leadership Filtration Theory) to be more successful in life?” Answer: Know Thyself. Duh! It’s been preached over and over and over again in almost every self-help, personal development, and entrepreneurship book I’ve read.
Second question: Once you know what type of person you are, how do you thrive? Answer: Pick the right pond. He recommends asking yourself the follow-up question: Which companies, institutions, and situations value what I do? To answer this question, you need to be aware of your values, purpose, and passion.
And as I work with students with a desire to find their path, a third question comes to mind (not in the book, but important to me): How should I spend my time? Answer: Serve profoundly. Don’t believe me – check out the growing articles and publications emphasizing the importance of incorporating purpose and meaning into one’s life.
So, you want to thrive in your work and in your life? Follow these three principles:
- Know thyself.
- Pick the right pond.
- Serve profoundly.
And you will be on your way to thriving in your work – and your life!
P.S. Learn strategies to thrive at a Life Design Catalyst Coach Training Program: https://lifedesigncatalyst.wordpress.com/training/.
The Dream Dean 