Do you know how to handle success?
Are you unsure about your ability to
take success in your stride? Asking the following questions may help:
- Do my performance appraisals
contain phrases such as “has difficulty handling juniors”, “needs conflict
management skills”, “should improve flexibility” or “needs team building
skills”?
- Do I often feel that trying new
things at work will result in failure?
- Do my school/college friends
tell me I have “changed”?
- Do I consider my parents’
achievements as “useless”?
- Do I feel dissatisfied despite
being considerably successful?
A “yes” to these questions may mean
that success could be getting to you.
Avoid the trap
You can avoid the pitfalls of sudden success by cultivating the following
values:
Humility: Always include phrases such as “I’m sorry” or “It was a team
work, not just my effort”, when appropriate.
Appreciation: The ability to acknowledge or praise another’s effort is a
habit worth cultivating in corporate culture.
Respect: This should accrue equally to your bosses, seniors, and
juniors. Always practice manners and value others.
Tolerance and flexibility: Don’t discriminate based on gender, age, sex
or culture. Accept that not everyone will think like you and treat everyone as
unique.
Charity: This doesn’t necessarily have to mean donating money to NGOs
and charitable institutions. Acts such as giving old clothes to the church or
feeding leftovers to stray dogs count too.
Inner strength: Develop strong values and build on strengths such as the
ability to contribute and make a difference to people’s lives.
Contentment: Take time out for yourself and your family and learn to
appreciate the smaller pleasures in life. Avoid controlling everything and everyone
around you. Aim to be a “good person” rather than a “competent manager”..
Discipline: Regulate your schedule to catch at least eight hours of
sleep, eat a balanced diet and exercise to keep yourself fit.
Sensitivity: Develop empathy rather than sympathy instead of feeling
sorry for the pregnant lady juggling two bags in the bus, offer her a seat.
Compassion is the single most important quality that defines a human being.
Handling success requires discipline, determination and a strong belief in
oneself. Figuring your shortcomings will help you act on them to handle success
better.
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