THE FOUR INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS

In the course of my career, I have often been asked the question: "How do you do it?"

In my opinion, success requires four ingredients: (1) knowledge, (2) determination, (3) commitment, and (4) luck.

Knowledge is developed every single day, and applied for both you and your employer.

Determination is absolutely essential in this imperfect world, where time is of the essence and Murphy is just around the corner.

Commitment is akin to passion: Passion to consider the job you and you the job, so that you will rise to the A team and remain there.

Luck is always necessary, because an individual is only a grain of sand in the grand scheme of things. There is a Greater Being up there looking at you, and it is better that it be 'after you'.

Upper Paraguay river, near Porto Murtinho, Mato Grosso, Brazil (photo by the author, 1993).

Upper Paraguay river, near Porto Murtinho, Mato Grosso, Brazil (photo by the author, 1993).