Motivation, Conscientiousness and Determination Predict Life Success, A Recent Research Finds
Harvard Business IdeaCast recently conducted a show on "globality", a new term used to describe the post-globalization world we live in which we have to compete with everyone from everywhere for everything. This is a scary concept. More jobs are being cut and we can see new, powerful overseas competitors entering almost every field. While it may be unsettling for some, for others this new, unavoidable force may also bring opportunities and mega profit. We can look at the facts, predict how it may change the game, and use this change to our advantage.
For every major change in human history, there are winners and losers. The shuffling effect however may not become clear until several years later after the onset of the change. While cursing our competitors may bring temporary relief and vent our anger, we can focus our energy on studying their tactics, analyze the situation and find our own competitive edge.
What causes poverty? Why some people win in the job markets while others fail?
Michael O'Connell and Hammad Sheikh, both U.S. psychologists, studied poverty and ways for an individual escape it. O'Connell and Sheikh found that besides cognitive abilities (intelligence), which is moderately flexible, other factors also play into a person's likelihood to succeed. These non cognitive abilities allow individuals to radically improve their chances of success.Some important non-cognitive abilities identified include:
* motivation
* self-discipline
* determination
* conscientiousness
* trustworthiness
Unlike IQ, these abilities can be acquired and modified rather quickly, previous researches have also yielded similar findings that conscientiousness is an important predictor of success. These achievement-related attitudes are human capital and can be a key resource for people who have a bad start (coming from low income family, or living with a lone parent who is not working, or born with a lower IQ). A positive attitude towards learning and knowledge, O'Connor suggested, can change the brain's architecture and result in a much better overall life outcome.
Sources:
[1] O'Connell, Michael; Sheikh, Hammad; Journal of Economic Psychology, Vol 29(4), Aug 2008. pp. 508-521.
For every major change in human history, there are winners and losers. The shuffling effect however may not become clear until several years later after the onset of the change. While cursing our competitors may bring temporary relief and vent our anger, we can focus our energy on studying their tactics, analyze the situation and find our own competitive edge.
What causes poverty? Why some people win in the job markets while others fail?
Michael O'Connell and Hammad Sheikh, both U.S. psychologists, studied poverty and ways for an individual escape it. O'Connell and Sheikh found that besides cognitive abilities (intelligence), which is moderately flexible, other factors also play into a person's likelihood to succeed. These non cognitive abilities allow individuals to radically improve their chances of success.Some important non-cognitive abilities identified include:
* motivation
* self-discipline
* determination
* conscientiousness
* trustworthiness
Unlike IQ, these abilities can be acquired and modified rather quickly, previous researches have also yielded similar findings that conscientiousness is an important predictor of success. These achievement-related attitudes are human capital and can be a key resource for people who have a bad start (coming from low income family, or living with a lone parent who is not working, or born with a lower IQ). A positive attitude towards learning and knowledge, O'Connor suggested, can change the brain's architecture and result in a much better overall life outcome.
Sources:
[1] O'Connell, Michael; Sheikh, Hammad; Journal of Economic Psychology, Vol 29(4), Aug 2008. pp. 508-521.
Labels: guided meditations, iq, motivation, self help
