interesting that both groups far exceeded their parents’ level of education and that Superachievers performed significantly better in high school than Average Achievers. Business attitudes: Superachievers and Average Achievers both believe that, to be successful in business, it is impor- tant to be a warm and cooperative person. Both groups are equally aggressive in business and about life in general. How- ever, in their business interactions, Superachievers appear to be more sensitive to other people’s needs. Physical activity and recreation: Both groups spent
around 3-6 hours a week on passive recreation such as watching movies and TV or attending sports events; how- ever, they also tended to spend an equal amount of time on physical exercise. In addition, Superachievers paid a little closer attention to diet than Average Achievers and also tended to take more vacations away from home.
How Successful Are Superachievers? 1. Financial success: Superachievers are wealthier. It is important to note that the economic status of the Super- achievers surveyed was slightly lower during their child- hood years than the economic status of Average Achiev- ers during the same time period. Although both groups enjoyed a much higher economic status later in life, the Superachiever group had clearly achieved a dramatic increase in financial success. In addition, Superachievers enjoyed greater levels of satisfaction with their income. 2. Family success: While Superachievers enjoyed their families more, both groups surveyed put a high priority on family life. Superachievers and Average Achievers enjoyed an equally close relationship with their children. However, Super- achievers tended to be slightly more satisfied with their mar- riages – and more satisfied with their family lives in general. Superachievers also spent significantly more time (compared to Average Achievers) with their spouses or children. 3. Life success: Superachievers found more meaning in life – while both groups felt that material possessions were only moderately important in life. Superachievers were far more satisfied with life in general than were Average Achievers. They also felt they were fulfilling their potential in life. When asked about their sense of contribution, Super- achievers clearly showed a greater feeling of satisfaction with their ability to contribute something of value to others. 4. Work success: It’s important to note that Superachiev- ers worked more effectively – while both groups seemed to work equally hard at their occupations, with an average work week of slightly more than 50 hours. Yet Superachiev- ers advanced in their jobs significantly faster than Average Achievers. The responses also indicated that Superachiev- ers found significantly higher levels of satisfaction with their work and clearly expressed superior levels of satisfac- tion in what they accomplished.
5. Social success: Superachievers had better social skills. Among the many categories compared in the study, in the category of social success and satisfaction, Superachievers were clearly a breed apart. There were few similarities in this category – with mainly significant differences as listed below. Superachievers appeared to possess the kind of in-
terpersonal skills everyone else looks for. As a result, Superachievers exceeded the average group in popular- ity. When a Superachiever speaks in a group setting, he or she will have far more influence on the group than an Average Achiever. In general, other people viewed a Superachiever’s level of success as far superior to that of the Average Achiever. On a more personal level, Super- achievers tended to have a greater ability to make friends – as well as feel more satisfied with their established circle of friends. Superachievers also had a significantly higher number of trusted friends than did Average Achievers.
Differences in Physical and Psychological Health 1. Physical health: Put simply, Superachievers enjoyed bet- ter health. In many categories, Superachievers and Aver- age Achievers reported very similar health data – such as blood pressure, frequency of respiratory infections, or lim- ited use of alcohol or drugs. However, Superachievers had a tendency to sleep better, to have fewer minor illnesses, and to experience fewer accidents due to carelessness. In general, Superachievers tended to have fewer ailments than did Average Achievers. And, although the average age of the Superachievers surveyed was higher than the Average Achievers, Superachievers were significantly more satisfied with their health.
2. Psychological health: While Superachievers and
Average Achievers very rarely required psychological counseling, Superachievers felt better. Average Achievers tended to experience slightly higher amounts of anxiety. They also tended to have more sleeping problems than Superachievers. When asked about how frequently they experienced feelings of depression, Average Achievers reported a slightly higher number. Also, Superachievers had significantly fewer problems with managing anger than did Average Achievers. Superachievers experienced significantly fewer psychosomatic symptoms. When asked about how frequently they experienced “a warm glow of serenity or good feelings, or feeling exhilarated and on top of the world,” Superachievers reported significantly higher frequency rates than did Average Achievers.
How Do Superachievers Think? According to this study, what are the different thinking styles that allow Superachievers to reach higher levels of success? 1. Capacity for coping with disapproval: As a group, Superachievers think in ways that make them far less sensi- tive to disapproval and rejection. They brush off rejection more quickly; they don’t get as upset by it; and don’t worry as much about what other people think of them. When being made fun of, Superachievers are less sensitive than Average Achievers. 2. More action-oriented thinking: Superachievers think in ways that facilitate effective action. They don’t spend a lot of time worrying about a deadline; instead, they go ahead and do the work. When a large amount of work piles up, Superachievers are not afraid of trying hard and failing. If they make a mistake, they take action immediately – quickly recovering from their mistakes.
SELLING POWER JULY 2018 | 21 © 2018 SELLING POWER. CALL 1-800-752-7355 FOR REPRINT PERMISSION.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38
