dr. fahey presents success strategies: what words according to science

Are YOU Thinking About Changing!

When Change Matters When Change Matters ’ tis the season for ’ tis the season for CHANGECHANGE

A play about highly actionable ideas or techniques for

achieving greater success starting right now!

Based on the book:

Psychological Foundations of Success by Stephen J. Kraus, Ph.D.

The Art and Science of

Success Basics… And Why They Work!

Different Different people are at people are at

different different points in life points in life

and have and have different different

needsneeds

ExamplesExamplesThere are those who are true learners of There are those who are true learners of

career success and never learning how to career success and never learning how to move their life from good to great move their life from good to great

Others are a part of a driven sales-network Others are a part of a driven sales-network for a companyfor a company

Next, we have those who may be driven by Next, we have those who may be driven by the achievement of the work provided them the achievement of the work provided them and this includes the special talent to and this includes the special talent to maintain a positive relationship between maintain a positive relationship between themselves and othersthemselves and others

Other ExamplesOther Examples Some may be seeking to build a strong family Some may be seeking to build a strong family

and relationshipsand relationships Some may be struggling in some aspect of their Some may be struggling in some aspect of their

lives and are in need of extra help and support lives and are in need of extra help and support and through their work are in search of their and through their work are in search of their true purpose and meaning in lifetrue purpose and meaning in life

Others may be struggling with bad habits such Others may be struggling with bad habits such as with eating, drinking, smoking, or gamblingas with eating, drinking, smoking, or gambling

You, or someone you know may be at this time You, or someone you know may be at this time unable to stop grieving for a loved one or petunable to stop grieving for a loved one or pet

As a result, so many question their ability to be As a result, so many question their ability to be successful, or more successfulsuccessful, or more successful

How To Figure Out How To Figure Out What You Want Out Of Life, What You Want Out Of Life,

…And How To Get It!…And How To Get It!What people tell me they want mostWhat are some of the most common things people say they want?

Regarding Weight LossRegarding Weight Loss

Weight loss at the end of short-term Weight loss at the end of short-term programs can exceed 10% of individual programs can exceed 10% of individual body weight: however, there is a strong body weight: however, there is a strong tendency to regain weight, with as much as tendency to regain weight, with as much as two-thirds of the weight loss regained within two-thirds of the weight loss regained within 1 year of completing certain programs and 1 year of completing certain programs and almost all by 5 years.almost all by 5 years.

National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Conference Panel, 1993. For a more recent review that reaches similar conclusion, see Wadden, Brownell & Foster, 2002

Regarding SmokingRegarding Smoking

80-90% would be smoking a year later, 80-90% would be smoking a year later, and over 95% would have smoked at and over 95% would have smoked at some point in the previous 12 months. some point in the previous 12 months. Successful quitters generally go through Successful quitters generally go through a cycle – trying to quite, failing to do so, a cycle – trying to quite, failing to do so, and trying to quit again – it usually takes and trying to quit again – it usually takes up to six times before quitting for good.up to six times before quitting for good.

Thinking about Starting A BusinessThinking about Starting A Business

Over ½ million businesses close each yearOver ½ million businesses close each yearMore than 95% of new (and old businesses More than 95% of new (and old businesses

because of changes) fail within the first three because of changes) fail within the first three yearsyears

Success is rarely an accidentSuccess is rarely an accidentBeing lucky has little to do with being Being lucky has little to do with being

successfulsuccessfulFor decades, research shows only a few For decades, research shows only a few

succeed, most do not. Why? succeed, most do not. Why?

BEING SUCCESSFULBEING SUCCESSFUL There are consistent patterns of ATTITUDES and There are consistent patterns of ATTITUDES and

ACTIONS that differentiate successful people from ACTIONS that differentiate successful people from their less successful counterpartstheir less successful counterparts

The differences appear in study after study, and The differences appear in study after study, and stand out when we explore the lives of successful stand out when we explore the lives of successful peoplepeople

True achievers True achievers THINKTHINK about their lives differently, about their lives differently, and use “different” techniques for bringing about life and use “different” techniques for bringing about life changeschanges

Thus, the biggest barrier to success, then, lies in Thus, the biggest barrier to success, then, lies in the the processprocess of how people bring about success of how people bring about success

Common Strategies for SuccessCommon Strategies for Success

The use of WillpowerThe use of Willpower The New Year’s ResolutionThe New Year’s Resolution Use of Positive AffirmationsUse of Positive Affirmations Cold TurkeyCold Turkey Pay For ItPay For It

How do we know what really works?How do we know what really works? Great thinkersGreat thinkers – All are unable to agree on or – All are unable to agree on or

see the true drivers of success and happiness.see the true drivers of success and happiness. Research & Case Studies: Research & Case Studies: By observing great By observing great

minds of highly successful peopleminds of highly successful people

How do we know what really works?How do we know what really works?

Successful CompaniesSuccessful Companies – spent billions on – spent billions on learning how to manifest success and learning how to manifest success and successful people.successful people.

Societal Wisdom Societal Wisdom –– Leaders have a vested Leaders have a vested interest in understanding and communicating interest in understanding and communicating the keys to success and do it through the keys to success and do it through profound messages. This is done successfully profound messages. This is done successfully through TV, books, movies, and even in through TV, books, movies, and even in children’s stories to perpetuate ideas about children’s stories to perpetuate ideas about success and well-being across generations. success and well-being across generations.

Psychotherapy Psychotherapy – There are over 70,000 – There are over 70,000 scientific articles on depression, and 57,000 scientific articles on depression, and 57,000 on anxiety. Less than 3,000 on happiness on anxiety. Less than 3,000 on happiness

Myers, D.G. (2000). The funds, friends and faith of happy people. American Psychologist, 55, 56-67.Myers, D.G. (2000). The funds, friends and faith of happy people. American Psychologist, 55, 56-67.

Science and Success in Practice

• Do you believe all prescription medicines are good for you?

• What about all herbal supplements

• How many have heard of the Snake oil salesman (special mixture call laudanum)

• Do you believe subliminal tapes work?

• The 1953 graduating class at Yale

A. 3% wrote specific goals for their futures

B. 20 years later, that 3% was found to be worth more financially than the other 97% combined

True/False?

iPE

DICTIONARIESDICTIONARIES define define success as getting what success as getting what you want. Success is you want. Success is aspiring to something and aspiring to something and then achieving it. Success then achieving it. Success is desiring something and is desiring something and then accomplishing it. The then accomplishing it. The question is, “What do you question is, “What do you want?” We also need to want?” We also need to fully understand that getting fully understand that getting what you want and wanting what you want and wanting something good for you are something good for you are two different thingstwo different things

C.reating E.xtraordinary O.utcomes

What works according to science?What works according to science?

The Science of Success is about the core elements of scientific research: Observation, Measurement, and Testing hypotheses in an objective way, and publishing research so that others can evaluate the conclusions and attempt to replicate the findings.

Plotinus: “Vision needs no special gift or effort, but only the use of a faculty which all possess but few employ.”

• “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll get there.”

• “If you don’t know where you’re going, any place will do.”

• “If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it.”

• “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

• “If you don’t know where you are going, you leave your destiny to chance”

Common Clichés

“Successful People Achieve What They Want By “beginning with the end in mind.” (Covey, 1989, p. 95).

Reference

Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people. New York NY: Free Press.

NOTE: More importantly, it is better to envision the acts of achievement.

Vision helps to focus effort and clarify

priorities

Like researchers that study therapeutic effectiveness, successful technology business leaders have also concluded that vision is crucial to sustained success

Harvard marketing guru Ted Levitt contends that “The future belongs to people who see possibilities before they become obvious,” and we even label such people (and companies) as visionary

Successful people not Successful people not only envision only envision whatwhat their their future will be like, but future will be like, but

also also whowho they will be in they will be in the future through a the future through a process of selective process of selective

focusing on their focusing on their

FUTURESELVESFUTURESELVES that excite them that excite them

the mostthe most

FIND YOUR PASSIONPassion – meaning what lights up your emotional fire? Find your bliss!

You are not here on earth to simply live, but to live for something significant – one needs passion and purpose in life

Envisioning our FUTURESELVES is not only common, it actually plays an important role in our learning performance and our psychological and physical wellness

Far from idle daydreams, images of our FUTURELIVES contribute to our self-esteem, our happiness, and the sense that we can control our own destinies

People with Ambivalence and Uncertainty(Opposite of Having Purpose and Meaning in Life)

Experience negative emotions such as Experience negative emotions such as depression and anxietydepression and anxiety

Are less happy and less satisfied with their livesAre less happy and less satisfied with their lives Have more physical illnesses & doctor’s visitsHave more physical illnesses & doctor’s visits Are indecisive, uncertain and rebelliousAre indecisive, uncertain and rebellious Tend to be easily distracted and procrastinateTend to be easily distracted and procrastinate

Paralysis of AnalysisParalysis of Analysis

It is characteristic of It is characteristic of UnderachieversUnderachievers DepressivesDepressives The cause of becoming a non-changerThe cause of becoming a non-changer The result of the thoughts, “It seems all my adult The result of the thoughts, “It seems all my adult

life I’ve been trying to figure out what I’d like to life I’ve been trying to figure out what I’d like to be when I grow up,” and “I cannot figure out be when I grow up,” and “I cannot figure out what it is that I will enjoy.”what it is that I will enjoy.”

Result: Result: You want to change, but you don’t want toYou want to change, but you don’t want to

THINKING about the future isn’t enough

Enables Action

Deters Gratification: to do what feels good in the moment at the

expense of SUCCESSFor example:

Underachieve

Overeat

Oversleep

Overspend

Procrastinate

CLEAR

How Do You Figure Out What You Really Want?

• You need to engage is some soul-searching, to find yourself

• Special people can help you – Find them, attract them.

• The aim is to identify your passion – what you really want from life, your school work, so you too can . . .

THINK like a GENIUS

How To THINK Like a GeniusHow To THINK Like a Genius

Successful people are a little (positively) crazySuccessful people are a little (positively) crazy Tend to be a little eccentric, and unconventional Tend to be a little eccentric, and unconventional

in their thinkingin their thinking Reject traditional beliefs, and lack a concern Reject traditional beliefs, and lack a concern

with what others might think about certain ideaswith what others might think about certain ideas They come up with odd or strange ideasThey come up with odd or strange ideas Three-in-four millionaires believe that learning to Three-in-four millionaires believe that learning to

“think differently from the crowd,” has been a “think differently from the crowd,” has been a key factor in their economic successkey factor in their economic success


Successful people are overly optimisticSuccessful people are overly optimisticThey are They are flexibleflexible THINKERSTHINKERS which is a which is a

prerequisite for prerequisite for creative thinking creative thinking leading to leading to an ability to an ability to conceiveconceive anan ideaidea and its and its oppositeopposite simultaneouslysimultaneously

They are able to envision two objects at They are able to envision two objects at once with one replacing the other once with one replacing the other

Examples of Inflexible ThinkersExamples of Inflexible Thinkers Low self-esteem is generally driven by two types Low self-esteem is generally driven by two types

of beliefs 1) one must get constant love and of beliefs 1) one must get constant love and approval from everyone, and 2) one must approval from everyone, and 2) one must accomplish all of his or her goals perfectlyaccomplish all of his or her goals perfectly

Many depressed people tend to use too many Many depressed people tend to use too many shoulds: One of them is, “I should lose weight”shoulds: One of them is, “I should lose weight”

Perfectionists say, “I must accomplish all of my Perfectionists say, “I must accomplish all of my goals perfectly”goals perfectly”

Inflexible thinking leads to most of human Inflexible thinking leads to most of human unhappiness (“No one likes me,” “I-can’t-stand-unhappiness (“No one likes me,” “I-can’t-stand-it-beliefs,” and “No wonder she doesn’t like me – it-beliefs,” and “No wonder she doesn’t like me – I’m a total loser”)I’m a total loser”)

Successful People Look To Mentors, Teachers , and Role Models Research shows that the number of highly

successful students, creators, and political leaders in a given generation can be predicted by the number of highly successful people in the preceding generation – Same fact applies to business leaders

Over half of Nobel Prize winners, studied closely under another Nobel Prize winner

Albert Einstein looked to others for ideas and inspiration – his role model was Isaac Newton

Who is your Success Idol?

Combining unusual ideas with a role model brings about

INNOVATION

MULTI-FUTURESELVESMULTI-FUTURESELVESExamples:

• Great Student

• Successful business person

• Great Dad or Mom

• Fantastic People-Helper

Reasoning: So, if you experience a bad day at the office, you are not emotionally crushed.

Successful people take risksSuccessful people take risksRobert Kennedy said, “Only those who dare Robert Kennedy said, “Only those who dare

to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly.”to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly.”


Most millionaires do not Most millionaires do not inherit their wealth, but inherit their wealth, but rather saw an economic rather saw an economic opportunity overlooked by opportunity overlooked by others, and took the risk others, and took the risk necessary to capitalize on itnecessary to capitalize on it

THINKING LIKE A GENIUSTHINKING LIKE A GENIUSIs not about investing in Is not about investing in the stock market, but the stock market, but much more about much more about investing in yourself, investing in yourself, your education and your education and career, and your interest career, and your interest and enthusiasm in and enthusiasm in leadership, and a future leadership, and a future visionvision

How To THINK Like a GeniusHow To THINK Like a GeniusSuccessful people ask questions

Frank Trainor, a CEO of a Frank Trainor, a CEO of a small construction company small construction company south of Boston once said, south of Boston once said, ““Everyone should explore Everyone should explore their web! Then ask many their web! Then ask many questions.”questions.”

Einstein would have Einstein would have agreed. He said, agreed. He said, “The “The important thing is to never important thing is to never stop questioning.”stop questioning.”

Socrates became famous Socrates became famous for his questions that force for his questions that force people to THINK.people to THINK.

What works What works accordingaccording to science? to science?

Turning Grand Ambitions into Consistent Action

• Strategy mandates a different kind of thinking from vision

• Vision is necessary but not sufficient for academic, or work related success• Having one or the other leads to underachievement• True success can only come from a combination of

vision and – strategy• Successful people make plans for success• Making plans for success is crucial for the

achievement of expected rewards, as well as for good health

The Millionaire Mind, author Thomas Stanley asked a nationwide sample of millionaires how they reduce fears and worries.

Topping the list was hard work (94%) and believing in themselves (94%) But directly behind these are items that stress the importance of planning –

Preparation (93%)Focusing on key issues (91%)Being decisive (89%)Planning (87%)Being well organized (83%)And all of these lead directly to GOAL-SETTING! Note: Motivation will not be enough to bring about success

About Goal-SettingAbout Goal-Setting People with highly important goals, for example, tend to be People with highly important goals, for example, tend to be

happier and more satisfied with life than those without happier and more satisfied with life than those without important goalsimportant goals

Goals, when properly set, lead to enhanced performance, Goals, when properly set, lead to enhanced performance, and can be an integral part of a strategy for successand can be an integral part of a strategy for success

Goals are far more than research topics of academic Goals are far more than research topics of academic interest. Elite athletes are trained in goal-setting interest. Elite athletes are trained in goal-setting techniques. Members of the U.S. Olympic ski team, for techniques. Members of the U.S. Olympic ski team, for example, are required to write personal performance goals example, are required to write personal performance goals and submit them to their coaches on a regular basis. and submit them to their coaches on a regular basis.

Many business people are compensated based on whether Many business people are compensated based on whether they achieve their goals. they achieve their goals.

Goals increase performance for Goals increase performance for three major reasons:three major reasons:

#1: Goals Provide Direction#1: Goals Provide Direction

Goals direct actionGoals direct action They channel and focus effort in the direction chosen They channel and focus effort in the direction chosen

by you - the goal-setterby you - the goal-setter Goals are empowering tools, enabling people to steer Goals are empowering tools, enabling people to steer

their lives in the direction of their choosingtheir lives in the direction of their choosing If you ever decided to buy a particular kind of car, If you ever decided to buy a particular kind of car,

then, you may have notices how all of a sudden you then, you may have notices how all of a sudden you started seeing that kind of car – everywhere, and this started seeing that kind of car – everywhere, and this experienced shows how goals direct attention, as well experienced shows how goals direct attention, as well as action, even without conscious effortas action, even without conscious effort


#2: Goals Produce Motivation#2: Goals Produce Motivation

Goals stretch and push you, resulting in greater effort Goals stretch and push you, resulting in greater effort and persistence. and persistence.

Goals clarify and make concrete your desired endsGoals clarify and make concrete your desired ends Being aware of the gap between where you are now Being aware of the gap between where you are now

and where you want to be creates motivation to close and where you want to be creates motivation to close that gapthat gap

Motivation comes about because goals engage your Motivation comes about because goals engage your sense of pride, self-esteem, and competitivenesssense of pride, self-esteem, and competitiveness


#3: Goals Generate Strategy Refinement#3: Goals Generate Strategy Refinement

Goal-setting is merely one element of a strategy for successGoal-setting is merely one element of a strategy for success After setting challenging goals, people think longer and more After setting challenging goals, people think longer and more

creatively about how to accomplish them, and how to creatively about how to accomplish them, and how to measure progress toward themmeasure progress toward them

Merely telling oneself or another person to “sell as much as Merely telling oneself or another person to “sell as much as you can,” will result in directed action and heightened you can,” will result in directed action and heightened motivationmotivation

But a challenging, specific goal (like earning an “A” in every But a challenging, specific goal (like earning an “A” in every class will also engage the process of strategy refinement – class will also engage the process of strategy refinement – hard, creative thinking about how to accomplish the goalhard, creative thinking about how to accomplish the goal

Six Proven Principles for Six Proven Principles for

Effective Goal PlanningEffective Goal Planning The key to developing a potent strategy is to understandThe key to developing a potent strategy is to understandthe six proven principles for effective goal planningthe six proven principles for effective goal planning

1.1. ChallengingChallenging2.2. SpecificSpecific3.3. ApproachApproach4.4. MeasurementMeasurement5.5. Proximal (deadline)Proximal (deadline)6.6. Inspiration Inspiration

Challenge YourselfChallenge Yourself People who set more challenging goals People who set more challenging goals

tend to accomplish more than those who tend to accomplish more than those who set more modest goalsset more modest goals

Emerson said, “We aim above the mark, Emerson said, “We aim above the mark, to hit the mark.”to hit the mark.”

When goals are set higher and higher, When goals are set higher and higher, performance increases performance increases

People with attainable goals are happier People with attainable goals are happier and experience more well-being than and experience more well-being than those with unattainable goalsthose with unattainable goals

The most common reaction to The most common reaction to unattainable goals is simply unattainable goals is simply disengagement – people do not commit disengagement – people do not commit to themto themRalph Waldo Emerson

(1803-1882)

ChallengeChallenge YourselfYourself

Commitment to a goal is predicted by the formula:Commitment to a goal is predicted by the formula:

Commitment to a goal = Goal importance X Goal Commitment to a goal = Goal importance X Goal AttainabilityAttainability

People are most committed to important, attainable goals, People are most committed to important, attainable goals, but if either but if either goal importancegoal importance or or goal attainabilitygoal attainability becomes becomes zero, then commitment disappearszero, then commitment disappears

The research shows that people are often reluctant to The research shows that people are often reluctant to commit to new career, personal, or business goals set simply commit to new career, personal, or business goals set simply because they considered them unattainablebecause they considered them unattainable

Be SpecificBe Specific The biggest boost in academic excellence The biggest boost in academic excellence

and performance from goal setting comes and performance from goal setting comes when goals are not only challenging, but when goals are not only challenging, but specific. Over 100 published studies support specific. Over 100 published studies support the notion that challenging specific goals the notion that challenging specific goals result in better performance than easy result in better performance than easy goals, no goals, or situations in which goals, no goals, or situations in which individuals simply try to “do their best”individuals simply try to “do their best”

Specific, challenging goals minimize wiggle Specific, challenging goals minimize wiggle room, resulting in greater effort and room, resulting in greater effort and persistence, as well as strategy refinement persistence, as well as strategy refinement (planning, preparing, and organizing)(planning, preparing, and organizing)

ReferenceReference

Tubbs, 1986; Latham and Locke, 1991; Mento, Steel, & Karren, 1987Tubbs, 1986; Latham and Locke, 1991; Mento, Steel, & Karren, 1987

Approach GoalsApproach Goals

True success in life comes from achieving things, not avoiding them

Approach Goals vs. Avoidance GoalsApproach Goals vs. Avoidance Goals

10-15% of people’s goals are about avoidance 10-15% of people’s goals are about avoidance (e.g., stop eating, stop smoking, stop drinking)(e.g., stop eating, stop smoking, stop drinking)

Avoidance goals bring to mind negative Avoidance goals bring to mind negative experiences, whereas approach goals are experiences, whereas approach goals are mentally associated with positive memories and mentally associated with positive memories and triumphstriumphs

Avoidance goals trigger a “should” mindset with Avoidance goals trigger a “should” mindset with a focus on threats and self-protectiona focus on threats and self-protection

Approach goals triggers a “want” mindset with a Approach goals triggers a “want” mindset with a focus on possibilities and opportunitiesfocus on possibilities and opportunities

Measurable GoalsMeasurable Goals Goals have a much bigger impact on Goals have a much bigger impact on

performance if they are measurableperformance if they are measurable Measurable goals enhance strategy refinementMeasurable goals enhance strategy refinement Measurable goals encourage consistent, steady Measurable goals encourage consistent, steady

progress, day after day, week after weekprogress, day after day, week after week Measurable goals versus zero tolerance is not a Measurable goals versus zero tolerance is not a

good ideagood idea People are not perfect and will ride peaks and People are not perfect and will ride peaks and

valleys in life, his or her studies, and in businessvalleys in life, his or her studies, and in business

Proximal = DeadlinesProximal = Deadlines

Motivating: making it easy to measure Motivating: making it easy to measure progress can produce confidence, self-progress can produce confidence, self-control, and determinationcontrol, and determination

For example:For example:Best way to achieve academic success - Best way to achieve academic success -

better to set proximal goals that are better to set proximal goals that are weekly, monthly and think in terms of daily weekly, monthly and think in terms of daily progress, not daily planningprogress, not daily planning

InspirationalInspirational

Goals should be important to you and consistent Goals should be important to you and consistent with your own ideals and ambitions for the futurewith your own ideals and ambitions for the future

People whose goals are consistent with their People whose goals are consistent with their needs and values, even when compared to needs and values, even when compared to others with the same skills, exhibit “more others with the same skills, exhibit “more interest, excitement, and confidence that leads interest, excitement, and confidence that leads to enhanced performance, persistence, to enhanced performance, persistence, creativity, and heightened vitality, self-esteem creativity, and heightened vitality, self-esteem and general well-being” and general well-being”

ReferenceReference

Quote from Ryan & Deci, 2000, See also Sheldon & Elliott, 1998, 1999; Sheldon & Houser-Marko, 2001Quote from Ryan & Deci, 2000, See also Sheldon & Elliott, 1998, 1999; Sheldon & Houser-Marko, 2001

Non-Inspirational GoalsNon-Inspirational Goals Going to college to learn Law because parents want Going to college to learn Law because parents want

this this Corporate America – Typical hour-long performance Corporate America – Typical hour-long performance

review: First two minutes praise Employee’s review: First two minutes praise Employee’s strengths and accomplishments . . . the next 56 strengths and accomplishments . . . the next 56 minutes are about the Employee’s failures and minutes are about the Employee’s failures and weaknesses which are labeled “opportunities for weaknesses which are labeled “opportunities for improvement” or “areas for growth” or “deltas” improvement” or “areas for growth” or “deltas” . . . final two minutes spell out Employee’s goals . . . final two minutes spell out Employee’s goals and objectivesand objectives

Generally, advancement and promotion at jobs are Generally, advancement and promotion at jobs are tied to improving weaknesses to an adequate level tied to improving weaknesses to an adequate level

Effective LeadershipEffective Leadership

Research shows that the most effective leaders identify only the individual’s strengths

Create environments in which those strengths can flourish while weaknesses can largely be ignored

Effective leaders harness the power of inspirational goals

Source: Buckingham & Coffman, 1999Source: Buckingham & Coffman, 1999

THINK SCAMPITHINK SCAMPI

SpecificSpecific ChallengingChallenging ApproachApproach MeasurableMeasurable ProximalProximal InspirationalInspirational

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time bounded


The science of minimizing Fear, Uncertainty, and doubt

BELIEFBELIEF

Key Ideas Surrounding BeliefKey Ideas Surrounding BeliefEmotional experiences produce personal Emotional experiences produce personal

growthgrowthConquering challenges can boost Conquering challenges can boost

motivationmotivationSuccessful people “believe” they will be Successful people “believe” they will be

successfulsuccessful

BELIEFBELIEFA definite powerful A definite powerful

predictor of successpredictor of successResearch shows Research shows

those confident to those confident to make life changes make life changes are far more are far more successful in those successful in those efforts than those efforts than those who question their who question their ability to changeability to change

“Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.”

Henry Ford

BeliefBeliefBelief has very real effectsBelief has very real effectsSelf-fulfilling prophecies based on beliefs Self-fulfilling prophecies based on beliefs

that we can change are not urban legends: that we can change are not urban legends: they are very realthey are very real

The X Factor is our belief in the things we The X Factor is our belief in the things we tell ourselves (e.g. self-instruction, self-tell ourselves (e.g. self-instruction, self-talk) like when we say “get over it” or talk) like when we say “get over it” or “cheer up”“cheer up”

Self-Efficacy

The Belief You Can Do It?

Self-efficacy is a powerful predictor of change Self-efficacy is a powerful predictor of change and SUCCESS in learning or doing anything and SUCCESS in learning or doing anything

Self-efficacy is “task-specific” self-confidence Self-efficacy is “task-specific” self-confidence (not your level of self-confidence, but whether (not your level of self-confidence, but whether you you “Believe”“Believe” you can act in a certain way or you can act in a certain way or carry out a particular course of action)carry out a particular course of action)

People with HIGH self-efficacy People with HIGH self-efficacy are more likely to . . .are more likely to . . .

1. Set specific challenging goals, and be more committed to those goals

2. Perform better and accomplish more3. Be more proactive, motivated, and work harder4. Follow through on their New Year’s resolutions5. Persist in the face of obstacles, and view setbacks

as a source of motivation6. Be successful in tackling problems7. Prevent a single lapse from snowballing into a

full-blown relapse

People with Internal ControlPeople with Internal Control

1. Believe outcomes in life are dependent on one’s own actions

2. Are more content in life3. Produce greater effort,

persistence, and achieve goal commitments

4. Cope better with setbacks5. Believe they have some control

over their academic career, health and wellness (more exercise, less doctor visits)

6. Generate greater pro-activity

People with External ControlPeople with External Control

1. Believe outcomes in life are due to luck, fate or the action of others

2. Research shows those with external controls are more stressed, and engage more in defensive coping strategies like withdrawal, denial, and sometime hostility

3. Most Americans have internal control and believe “We each make our own FATE.”

HOPE: The Belief in a Bright FutureHOPE: The Belief in a Bright Future

1. With hope we tend to set a greater number of goals2. Achieve more and perform better3. Are happier, suffer less anxiety, and burnout4. React better to difficult circumstances (e.g. bad test

scores, stressful jobs, accidents, illnesses)5. Use more effective coping habits (e.g. humor, exercise,

and preventative care)6. Cope better with setbacks

Symptoms of a Lack of BeliefSymptoms of a Lack of Belief

1. Learned helplessness and self-handicapping2. Alcoholism3. Procrastination4. Lack of interest, effort5. Panic attacks6. Asthma7. Depression8. Grief9. Insecurity

Positive emotions bring to mind positive memories and make the future seem brighter, which spurs more proactive behavior

Building BeliefBuilding Belief

Automatic Negative

ThoughtsANTS ANTS

Killing ANTS DeadKilling ANTS Dead

-- Evidence-- Evidence

What is the objective evidence for this ANT?What is the objective evidence for this ANT?If I do NOT reach my planned goal on time,If I do NOT reach my planned goal on time,does that not indicate I am a loser?does that not indicate I am a loser?

THINK, “Haven’t I completed lots of other goals THINK, “Haven’t I completed lots of other goals on time? (if your answer is “no,” then some life on time? (if your answer is “no,” then some life coaching and problem-solving is called for)coaching and problem-solving is called for)

““If I don’t reach my goal on time, then I am a loser.”If I don’t reach my goal on time, then I am a loser.”


-- Exaggeration-- Exaggeration

Is this ANT an exaggeration? Am I over-reacting? Is this ANT an exaggeration? Am I over-reacting? Am I over-generalizing?Am I over-generalizing?

Isn’t “loser” a little strong?Isn’t “loser” a little strong? In concluding that I am a loser because I didn’t In concluding that I am a loser because I didn’t

reach my planned goal on time, am I making a reach my planned goal on time, am I making a mountain out of a molehill? mountain out of a molehill?



-- Alternatives-- Alternatives

What are some other possible What are some other possible explanations?explanations?

Is it possible that I didn’t reach my planned Is it possible that I didn’t reach my planned goal on time because I didn’t have the goal on time because I didn’t have the resources I needed? resources I needed?



-- Flexibility-- Flexibility

Can I evaluate this situation in more flexible Can I evaluate this situation in more flexible terms?terms?

Am I thinking in overly rigid, black-or-white, all-Am I thinking in overly rigid, black-or-white, all-or-none terms?or-none terms?

Just because I may have room to improve my Just because I may have room to improve my project goal planning skills, does that really project goal planning skills, does that really mean I’m a loser? mean I’m a loser?



-- Utility-- Utility

Is this belief empowering or counter-productive?Is this belief empowering or counter-productive? Does it really benefit me to think of myself as a Does it really benefit me to think of myself as a

loser just because I was late in reaching one loser just because I was late in reaching one planned goal? planned goal?

Should my self-worth depend on this kind of Should my self-worth depend on this kind of thing?thing?



-- Comparison-- Comparison

How have others fared in similar How have others fared in similar situations?situations?

Did everyone else reach his or her planned Did everyone else reach his or her planned goal on time?goal on time?



-- Role reversal-- Role reversal

How would I evaluate other people who How would I evaluate other people who performed as I did?performed as I did?

Would I consider everyone who didn’t Would I consider everyone who didn’t reach their planned goal on time a loser?reach their planned goal on time a loser?


Building BeliefBuilding Belief

Daily Journal – writing your thoughtsDaily Journal – writing your thoughts Academic MindSPA – time out to relaxAcademic MindSPA – time out to relax Take baby steps building beliefTake baby steps building belief Act happyAct happy Act successfulAct successful Envision specific means to your goalsEnvision specific means to your goals Visualize doing the steps to successVisualize doing the steps to success Hire a Career Coach to help you succeed Hire a Career Coach to help you succeed


The science of drive and determination

Facts about PersistenceFacts about Persistence

It is not sexyIt is not sexy It is not glamorousIt is not glamorous It is crucial for personal successIt is crucial for personal success It is crucial for business successIt is crucial for business successOrigins of sustainable, organic growthOrigins of sustainable, organic growthTrue success comes from persistenceTrue success comes from persistencePersistence is about progressPersistence is about progressPersistence is the key to happinessPersistence is the key to happiness

Successful People Don’t Give Successful People Don’t Give Up, and They Work HardUp, and They Work Hard

M*A*S*H M*A*S*H (its history)(its history)

Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind (its history)(its history)

Dr. Seuss’s first book Dr. Seuss’s first book (its history)

The first The first Chicken Soup Chicken Soup book book (its history)

Over 90% of Americans agree Over 90% of Americans agree

that “willpower and hard work,” are that “willpower and hard work,” are primary reasons why a person’s life primary reasons why a person’s life

turns out well or poorly.turns out well or poorly.

Persistence is the key to Persistence is the key to happinesshappiness

Intelligence – Ignorance is NOT bliss, nor are brilliant people particularly happy.

Physical attractiveness – The beautiful are NOT happier than the rest of us, except among young women, and even then the effect is very slight.

Marriage – Married people are moderately but NOT dramatically happier than their single counterparts. About 4-in-10 married Americans describe themselves as “very happy,” compared to only 24 percent of those who never married.

Source: General Social Survey, cited in Myers, 2000

Children – As any parent will attest, having kids is no guarantee of happiness. In fact, childless couples are slightly happier than parents, but again the effect is very modest.

Money – When asked what would make them happier, “more money” tops the list.

Persistence, Progress and HappinessPersistence, Progress and Happiness

Happiness is ultimately about Happiness is ultimately about progressprogress

Happiness is about Happiness is about progressprogress

• Happiness is the emotional juice that emerges from a sense of momentum toward inspirational goals

• Everyone may want to get to the top, but if you want to enjoy getting there, you should take the stairway rather than the elevator

• The American constitution guarantees, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” – not happiness itself. But as it turns out, the pursuit of happiness . . . is happiness

Persistence PromotersPersistence Promoters Think like a genius Think like a genius

(positive thinking)(positive thinking) Manage self-talk (if you Manage self-talk (if you

manage a successful manage a successful project - take credit for itproject - take credit for it

Explanation P1 = personal Explanation P1 = personal - attributing success to your - attributing success to your intelligenceintelligence

Explanation P2 = Explanation P2 = permanency - your permanency - your intelligence will help on intelligence will help on other projects as wellother projects as well

Ask for helpAsk for help

Bring people into your Bring people into your vision plans – involve themvision plans – involve them

Join a Mastermind groupJoin a Mastermind group Know when to be aloneKnow when to be alone Ask yourself if you need to Ask yourself if you need to

fire some “friends”fire some “friends” Reshape your physical Reshape your physical

environmentenvironment Go public with your goalsGo public with your goals Reward successReward success Avoid self-punishmentAvoid self-punishment ExerciseExercise


The science of making course corrections in life

Successful people are Successful people are learning – all the timelearning – all the time

Successful people take action, and rely on course Successful people take action, and rely on course corrections to navigate successive approximations corrections to navigate successive approximations to successto success

The actions taken are driven by choiceThe actions taken are driven by choice Persistence is good . . . Progress is betterPersistence is good . . . Progress is better Persistence can be achieved by effort alone, but Persistence can be achieved by effort alone, but

progress requires persistence and learningprogress requires persistence and learning We learn from every experience – even negative We learn from every experience – even negative

onesones

Lame excuses for not being highly successfulLame excuses for not being highly successful

““I don’t have a degree!”I don’t have a degree!”

• Mark Twain said it best: “I have Mark Twain said it best: “I have never let schooling interfere with my never let schooling interfere with my education.”education.”

• Albert Einstein was a notoriously Albert Einstein was a notoriously poor student, and Bill Gates was a poor student, and Bill Gates was a college dropout; neither made the college dropout; neither made the mistake of equating a degree with mistake of equating a degree with true learningtrue learning

The Millionaire Mind, author Thomas Stanley documents when millionaires are asked what they learned most in school, about three-fourths cited the lesson that “hard work is more important than genetic high intellect in achieving.”

Lame excuses for not being highly successfulLame excuses for not being highly successful

““But I’m not smart enough . . .”But I’m not smart enough . . .”Highly successful people aren’t necessarily Highly successful people aren’t necessarily

brainiacs with advanced degreesbrainiacs with advanced degreesPeople somehow believe their level of People somehow believe their level of

“smarts” can’t be changed“smarts” can’t be changedYou must first believe you can get smarterYou must first believe you can get smarterYour own personal theory of intelligence Your own personal theory of intelligence

influences your goals and level of influences your goals and level of achievement in many waysachievement in many ways

Mark Twain Mark Twain

“Each one of us has the substance within to achieve whatever our goals and dreams define. What is missing from each of us is the training, education, knowledge and insight to utilize what we already have.”

Some final thoughtsSome final thoughts

People are often unaware of the factors People are often unaware of the factors that drive success and happiness in their that drive success and happiness in their daily livesdaily lives

Highly successful people understand the Highly successful people understand the true drivers of their success and happinesstrue drivers of their success and happiness

They keep daily records (self-monitoring) of They keep daily records (self-monitoring) of what they do well to improve their lifewhat they do well to improve their life

For Dr. Fahey, The Cultivation For Dr. Fahey, The Cultivation of Spiritual Goals Are Keyof Spiritual Goals Are Key

Have FUNHave FUN Be CreativeBe Creative CommunicateCommunicate Trust a and RespectTrust a and Respect VisionVision PartnershipPartnership Energy ManagementEnergy Management FlexibilityFlexibility Search for MeaningSearch for Meaning

Have FUNHave FUN Be CreativeBe Creative CommunicateCommunicate Trust a and RespectTrust a and Respect VisionVision PartnershipPartnership Energy ManagementEnergy Management FlexibilityFlexibility Search for MeaningSearch for Meaning

Your Wheel of Life

Someone’s in the Kitchen

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY DAY

1 C Friendly Words

2 Heaping C. Understanding

4+ T. Time and Patience

Pinch of Warmth & Personality

Dash of Humor

Spice for Life

Measure words carefully, adding heaping amounts of understanding. Be willing to adjust amounts of time and patience as necessary. Cook on the front burner, keeping temperature low – do not boil! Remember to season well with a sense of humor, and warmth and spice for life. Serve individually remembering, “Presentation is everything”

Dr. Robert Allen Fahey

dr. fahey presents success strategies: what words according to science

Documents

years success

science of success

greater success

different people

true drivers of success

successful counterparts

successful quitters

successful companies