When looking at the most successful people throughout history, it’s emotional quality, not intellectualism that separates those at the top from everyone else. We live in a culture that tends to really emphasise intellect and going to the greatest schools, whereas success is really more about a resiliency and a love for what you’re doing.
Here is some wisdom for success in whatever career you choose:
Flexibility
When you do things the same way for too long, it can kill off creativity and the momentum to find new and improved ways of doing things. In almost all fields, the greatest innovators are those who came from outside the industry because they’re able to think differently and aren’t tied down by ‘conventions and dogmas,’.
Timing
Successful people know exactly when they should change employers, start a company or fold their company. They have good intuition and aren’t afraid to make hard choices, despite opposition. Timing depends not only on knowing your strengths but your weaknesses as well because that guides the narrative of what you can take on and what you can’t at any given moment.
Steve Jobs was renowned for being a remarkably focused individual. He said: “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are.”
This takes realising that it’s not about the quantity of ideas but the quality of the ideas you have because you will know what to say No to and which ideas deserve your undivided attention.