[December 9, 2021] When things go wrong, terribly wrong, there is someone who steps up to slay the dragon. This is, of course, the classic hero. He is the knight that kills the dragon, rescues the maiden, and lives happily ever after. Well, that is how it goes in fairy tales. But this story is symbolic of human existence and tells us that our place in life is not easy but that we must fight for it. To do so, you must be ready.
In Part 1 yesterday, I briefly discussed identifying the requirements of success. In Part 2, I will discuss how to achieve success.
Part 2: How to Achieve Success
Just like any Soldier in combat, athlete on the playing field, or professional worker, having the right stuff in moral character and physical strength makes all the difference between failure and success. That is why you must have the skills and experience, the right tools and knowledge, motivation, and courage. If you lack any of these, you are doomed to failure.
Moral character. Nothing is more important. Success is achieved by doing the most good. This means one must learn and practice honesty, decisiveness, mental toughness, adaptability, flexibility, and inspirational to others. Character is learned. To learn is to make a conscious decision to strive for the best in everyone. Only through development by others can we become genuinely who we are.
Physical strength. There will be times where physical strength determines the outcome of your place in life. Sometimes this means simply having the stamina to stay engaged and on top of your game; other times, it means you can fight off the schoolyard bully. The process of developing your physical strength also strengthens the mind and spirit. Ignore this, and somebody may take you out before you even get started.
Skills, experience, and tools. Technical and social skills are developed through purposeful interactions with others. You must be likable, so others treat you well and are interested in being with you. Developing these skills is not easy. You must understand what skills are needed (what right looks like) and then improve yourself. That is why knowing your strengths and weakness is essential as a starting point. Using the proper tools makes it easier, but learning their proper use can be challenging.
Motivation and courage. Without a high degree of motivation and courage, you will fail. As a kid, I thought that voluntarily stepping onto a battlefield was crazy because it could get you killed or maimed. Stories from WWII and Korean War veterans scared me but oddly enough also attracted me to learn more about why they fought an enemy in a foreign land. They showed me that to survive, to succeed where others failed, and where you could be truly free was by being motivated and courageous.
Being ready means adopting a philosophy of success. This is not new. These ideas have been with us as long as mankind existed. Philosophers have written about it. Academics debate it. And, everyone else, like you and me, can “see” what is needed. Tomorrow, I will discuss the philosophy of success.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
“How to achieve success?” The most often asked question from those who want to better themselves.
I’m no philosopher and I don’t read their writings (too complex). But Gen. Satterfield is laying out something important. I hope I can get it thru my brain.
You’ll be just fine. Gen. Satterfield has a special way of communicating complex ideas into terms that most folks can understand. And, if you don’t understand it, just ask. That is the beauty of this leadership website.
The part of this article that surprised me was the emphasis on physical strength. I agree that we need it and perhaps much less so than in the past. But I think Gen. Satterfield is saying that strength of the body helps keep the mind in shape so we can use our heads to make our jobs physically easier. Exercise does more than keep the body in tune with our environment, it is a must for great thinking.
….. and people here have asked me why I so enjoy reading this leadership blog by Gen. Satterfield. This is the reason. Simple, straightforward, entertaining, and to the point. That is what I find here. You can use what is here in your everyday life. Good stuff for an uneducated buy like me.
Me too, rj. Keeps me on my toes.
‘Being ready means adopting a philosophy of success. This is not new. These ideas have been with us as long as mankind existed. Philosophers have written about it. Academics debate it. And, everyone else, like you and me, can “see” what is needed.’ — Gen. Satterfield.
Excellent article. Waiting for tomorrow.
I found today’s article to be better than I expected and I look forward to what Gen. Satterfield will write to conclude his series.
I did not and find that “merit” and “hard work” and such to be the opposite of what should raise people to the top. It should be based on how much our race/sex/religion has been suppressed by the bad capitalists. Working hard is a racist concept. Duh. Can you not see it?
Older article but worth reading and addressing the deficiencies of communism.
“10 Reasons Why Communism Sucks”
https://listverse.com/2013/01/17/10-reasons-why-communism-sucks/
Are you a troll? Please address the complaints against Communism if you want to be a credible source of thinking in this leadership forum.
Let’s be polite. But Greg H is right. What is the main argument against communism and what is the response from communists? Those are the sort of things we can address here. Altho I think maybe Gen. Satterfield could write another article on it and we could debate it there.
“Motivation and courage.” I found the combination of these two to be interesting as I’ve never seen the link before. I’d like to read more on it. Oh, Merry Christmas to all. I hope that our new year in America is far better than this last y ear. Our political leadership has failed us spectacularly.
This list of requirements to be successful are a great summary of the key attributes needed. Gen. Satterfield has laid them out for simplicity but I can assure everyone here that making these happen is no fast or easy process. It takes time, focus, intelligence, and dedication for the long haul. Nothing more could be important to someone who wants to succeed. Thus, the final part 3 tomorrow should bring all this together. I look forward to it, Gen. Satterfield. Keep up the great work you are doing.
Yes, well said Max and I agree that this 3-Part series is likely one of the most important ones he has posted. Tomorrow will determine if that is so. No pressure, Gen. S.
The list is more than just a list but a life philosophy. Gen. Satterfield may call it a “success philosophy” but we all know it is much much more. It’s American Exceptionalism for indivduals.
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Very good part 2 to this series. Waiting for the real ending tomorrow. Well done, Gen. Satterfield for giving us a, well, a kind of philosophy of success. I can’t wait.
Bill, like you and others, I’ll be up early and drinking my coffee. Can’t wait.
With my dog and my easy chair. Don’t forget that Christmas will be here soon. Tell a friend about this website and give out a copy of Gen. Satterfield’s book. That would definitately shake up a bunch of liberals. hahahahahaaa
You guys crack me up.
You getting guns for Christmas Guns? Couldn’t wait to write that. Guns Guns Guns. My favorite present of the year. My husband promised me an AR15 rifle or carbine. Depends on the sells at our local gun store. But by Dec 26, I’ll be at the range shooting.
Ha! Good for you Janna.