[October 3, 2022] The biggest predictors of lifetime success are intelligence (measured as IQ) and conscientiousness (industriousness and orderliness). There is little you can do about your intelligence except preventing its decline through proper physical exercise. Industriousness and orderliness also have a strong biological component, meaning it will be difficult to gain these traits without hard work.
According to a number of psychologists, it is possible to work on micro-habits that directly affect your industriousness. The best way is to set up some aims for yourself, aims that you highly value. And then you will have to put some motivation into your life. This means you will need to consider what motivates you and those sources of motivation.
One question to ask yourself is, where would you like to be in 3 to 5 years from now if you were taking care of yourself properly? What do you want from your friendships? What do you want from your intimate relationship? How would you like to structure your family? What do you want from your career? How are you going to exercise time outside of your job? And, how will you regulate your physical and mental health (especially your drug and alcohol use)?
Develop a vision of what you would like your life to be. Once your goal is established, then break that goal down into component parts (or tasks) that you can legitimately do. Those tasks will be rewarding in proportion to the casual relationship with your life’s goal. That is what tangles in your incentive-reward system. That is what keeps you moving forward.
The most crucial part is that you must have a valued goal. Otherwise, you cannot get any positive motivation from it. The more valuable your goal, in principle, the tasks associated with that goal will work for you in a positive, sustaining way. That means that you wake up excited about the day’s prospects when you get up in the morning. You’re ready to go.
Specify your long-term ideal – and perhaps a place you want to stay away from that terrifies you. So, you are drawn to the goal and repelled by what scares you. This is extremely valuable as motivation.
Figure out who you are trying to be. Aim at it. You cannot hit something you don’t aim at. Then use everything you’ve learned to build that person you “want” to be. Not so much who you “should” be.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
Excellent, informative article that made me think about how I can compete with others across time. Well done! Gen. Satterfield, keep up the great work you are doing with your blog.
I’ve got to say that this is a bit depressing. The implication is that biology determines your success in life, unless I’m reading it wrong. But “motivation” that the person has makes a big difference, and that is a great message to people, esp. those who are not smart or prone to work hard.
Working hard is a personality trait, not a determination factor. It may be a predictor but that predict status is a broad status and can be overcome by personal motivation.
Gen. Satterfield – “Specify your long-term ideal – and perhaps a place you want to stay away from that terrifies you. So, you are drawn to the goal and repelled by what scares you. This is extremely valuable as motivation.” Fear is a great motivator.
Another enjoyable and informative blog post. If you want to read more about motivation – and I think Gen. Satterfield is focusing on that idea – there are many articles that help. Also, Gen. Satterfield is about to come out with his new book. I’m sure it will be covered.
Except for motivation, looks like all the markers for success are largely biological. But, I will add that there are some great points made here. Remember that your personality helps determine what specifically motivates you. So, if you are an open person, then creativity motivates you. Just an example. Great blog, Gen. S.
Motivation is the main idea, I think. Motivation must be tailored to the person.
Yep, good catch Tom. 😎
I agree, but remember that there are more factors than just motivation. If you want to look at how to demotivate, then look at how schools are demotivating their students. I know, I teach High School and I see the Administrators trying to push us teachers to do things that destroy motivation.
Another top-notch article from the mind of Gen. Satterfield. I just had a chance to read some of his older articles and now I see how they build to this point. Excellent.
Gen. Satterfield hits the target with this paragraph: “The most crucial part is that you must have a valued goal. Otherwise, you cannot get any positive motivation from it. The more valuable your goal, in principle, the tasks associated with that goal will work for you in a positive, sustaining way. That means that you wake up excited about the day’s prospects when you get up in the morning. You’re ready to go.”
Yep, that’s it exactly. I was thinking the same thing Steve.
YES! You must have a vision for your life. You must have an aim. That aim is NOT your sexuality or race …. like so many political academics have declared. I will also add “gender affirming” psychologists to that lot as well. Having a family, great job, community service, etc. those are great aims. That is how you can educate yourself, and find those who have similar interests. That is the goal. Then adopt responsibility of tasks that make you achieve that goal.
Once again, great comment Max. ❤❤❤❤
Yep, Max always nails it. And, this is one of the many reasons I read all the comments.
Janna, good to see you back in the leadership forums. I think we all love Max and how he is able to take Gen. Satterfield’s ideas and quickly expand upon them. All make me think and that is not always easy.
👍👍👍👍 Thanks!!!!!
Seems straightforward enough. Thank you Gen. Satterfield for today’s article. And, I will note that I just got your book “Our Longest Year in Iraq” and found it a great story. For those new to this website, I think you will find that all of us highly recommend the book. And, go to Amazon and leave a review.
Robo, I got the book right after it came out, so I’m way ahead of you. Read the book a second time to really get a full understanding of where gen. Satterfield is coming from. ✔
Got my copy of “Our Longest Year in Iraq.” Loved the book.
As alwayts, Robo Cop II.