Do you measure success by internal standards, rather than by status symbols or material wealth? Do you enjoy the process of learning, accomplishing, and mastering?
If so, you may have a high need for achievement. This personality trait is characterized by an enduring and consistent concern with setting and meeting high standards of accomplishment. The need for achievement motivates individuals to excel in activities important to them.
To determine your need to achieve complete the Quester Questionnaire in “Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life:” http://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1936672715/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396909423&sr=8-2&keywords=carole+kanchier
Research demonstrates that accomplished individuals, who regularly win awards, are driven by the effort rather than the result. Knowing you can attain a desired goal, enhances feelings of confidence and pride.
Where does the need to achieve come from? Some psychologists believe you are born with “competence motivation,” or the need for challenge and stimulation. Babies and toddlers have it.
Like toddlers learning to walk, many achievers fail several times. Most manage to extract lessons that subsequently enable them to succeed.
Michael Jordan, proclaimed by the National Basketball Association (NBA) as the “greatest player of all time,” said: “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot…and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Many Questers, described in “Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life.” share similar stories. www.questersdarertochange.com.
Unfortunately, many people are taught it’s unacceptable to fail. They walk away from opportunities without trying.
Tips for Achieving
– Set attainable goals. Set each new goal one level beyond your present level of accomplishment. Enjoy the process of achieving your goal.
– Experiment with standards of excellence. Set your own criteria. Instead of aiming for 100 percent, try 80 or 90 percent. Realize perfectionism is an unattainable illusion.
– Learn from mistakes. Recognize that mistakes are part of the achieving process. Identify factors that may have contributed to a poor outcome, modify features, and move on.
– Practice mindfulness. Purposely and without judgment, attend to the moment. Concentrate on each task. Attend fully to the report you’re reading. Give phone conversations unwavering attention.
– Establish appropriate limits. Focus on activities that use your talents. Delegate or exchange tasks you dislike, aren’t good at, or find draining or time-consuming.
– Enjoy successes. Measure yourself by what you have done, are doing, and can complete. Keep a weekly tally of accomplishments. Post this where you can read it often. Reward yourself for completing a challenging project.
Additional tips are described in “Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life”: http://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1936672715/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396909423&sr=8-2&keywords=carole+kanchier
Dr. Carole Kanchier, career and personal growth expert, is author of the award winning, groundbreaking, purposeful book, “Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life: http://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1936672715/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396909423&sr=8-2&keywords=carole+kanchier Carole Kanchier inspires people to realize their potential and look at career growth in new ways. A career visionary, Dr. Kanchier pioneered a unique, holistic, developmental model of lifelong growth and decision making which she shares in “Questers.” Uniquely qualified to talk about career issues, Kanchier researches, writes, counsels, and conducts workshops on career development. She walks her talk!
