In late 1981, while on a business trip to the UK, it became obvious to me, though I had already achieved success, I needed a massive change in my life! (More soon, about another massive change in my life! And no I am not sick and Sally and I are very happily married! LOL!) At that time London was so very different than anywhere I had worked, including NYC! So I decided to move to the UK (partially based on me serving there as a young Army officer in the late 60’s) and raise my kids in a very different manner than I was raised! Hence, about 18 months later in spring 1983, I added to my goals, a castle on an island – and moved there in August of 1984! (So yes, IPO, Castle, move to UK all at once!) Of course this meant being separated from my entire family! In hind sight, this was one of the best decisions of my life, along with deciding to go to officer training that would extend my military service by 2 years! I did this, though it would be painful to be away from my family! And this was many years before I articulated my thoughts about QLA! So though I loved my family – and there were high performance people in my family – they were not high performance business role models, which I knew categorically I MUST have in my future! I have asked others – what would you have done? And where would you be now if you had done something similar? And remember this is all part of – YOU ARE THE AVERAGE OF THE 5 PEOPLE YOU SPEND MOST OF THE TIME WITH! ! As a brief role model comparison, these were just a few of my NEW socio-economic milieu, when I went to the UK: Father/Founder of the North Sea; Former Governor of New York who saved the state/city from financial collapse; several Members of Parliament, including the House of Lords; Heir to Cunard Shipping Lines; The Church of England; The Bank of England; Members of the Royal Family; NATO Deputy Commander 4 Star General; Former Governor of Texas and Secretary of the Treasury; and many more! This was my new adopted extended family that embraced me and the rest is history! Was it worth it – ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?
Dan Peña Success Test
- I generally feel guilty about my own happiness if a friend tells me that he or she is feeling depressed.
- I frequently find myself not telling others about my good luck so that they will not have to feel envious.
- I have trouble saying no to people.
- Before getting down to work on a project, I suddenly find a whole bunch of other things to take care of first.
- I tend to believe that people who look out for themselves first are selfish.
- When someone I know succeeds at something, I usually feel that I have lost out by comparison.
- I rarely have trouble concentrating on something for a long period of time..
- When I have to ask others for help, I feel that I am being bothersome.
- I often compromise in situations to avoid conflict.
- When I have made a decision, I usually stick to it.
- I feel self-conscious when someone who “counts” compliments me.
- When I am involved in a competitive activity (sports, a game, work), I am often so concerned with how well I am doing that I do not enjoy the activity as much as I could.
- A sure-fire way to end up disappointed is to want something too much.
- Instead of wanting to celebrate, I feel let down after completing an important task or project.
- Mostly, I find that I measure up to the standards that I set for myself.
- When things seem to be going really well for me, I get uneasy that I will do something to ruin it.
Will You Become Successful in Life?
Your personality dictates how successful you will become. Take these tests to find your weak spots and discover how to leverage your strengths.
After taking all 3 tests, each taking 2 – 3 minutes, you will get your test scores and an explanation of the results at the end of the test.
Depression Check List
This test is a short self-administered questionaire to measure your level of depression.
There are 20 items on the scale that rate the four common characteristics of depression: the pervasive effect, the physiological equivalents, other disturbances, and psychomotor activities.
Choose the letter that seems to most fit your recent feelings:
A = A little of the time
B = Some of the time
C = A good part of the time
D = Most of the time
- I feel hopeful about my future.
- I find it easy to make a decision.
- I feel I am useful and needed.
- I still enjoy the things I used to.
- My surroundings interest me.
- I feel as attractive as I used to.
- My mind is as clear as it used to be.
- I feel discouraged and blue.
- I have had trouble sleeping lately.
- I am less interested in sex.
- My appetite is worse than usual.
- I have constipation / diarrhea.
- I feel physically tired often.
- My heart beats rapidly.
- I have headaches more often.
- I am more irritable than normal.
- Others would be better off if I died.
- I worry about my health.
- I break into tears easily.
- I blame myself for things.
Your personality dictates how successful you will become. Take these tests to find your weak spots and discover how to leverage your strengths.
After taking all 3 tests, each taking 2 – 3 minutes, you will get your test scores and an explanation of the results at the end of the test.
The Optimism Test
Perhaps the most widely used method for assessing optimistic or pessimistic disposition is in the Life Orientation Test, developed by psychologist Michael Scheler and Charles Carver.
To gauge your optimism level with this test, indicate your response to each item below:
Don’t let your answer to one question influence another.
- In uncertain times, I usually expect the best.
- It’s easy for me to relax.
- If something can go wrong for me, it will.
- I’m always optimistic about my future.
- I enjoy my friends a lot.
- It’s important for me to keep busy.
- I hardly ever expect things to go my way.
- I don’t get upset too easily.
- I rarely count on good things happening to me.
- Overall, I expect more good things to happen to me than bad.
Success Test Score: 0
If you scored anything under 5 points you’re basically OK.
Between 5 and 10 points you’re moderately at risk for self-sabotaging behavior.
Between 10 and 16 points you have a problem – Get some help.
Depression Score: 25
20-49 Normal Range
50-59 Mildly Depressed
60-69 Moderately Depressed
70 and above get (psychological) help!!!
Optimism Score: 17
The range is from 0 to 24, from extreme pessimism to extreme optimism, with virtual neutrality being the midpoint, 12.
Most people who have taken the test are slightly optimistic, Carver said. For instance, among 2,000 college students, the average score was 14,
with two-thirds scoring between 10 and 18.
A group of 159 patients awaiting coronary artery bypass surgery had an average score of 15,possibly suggesting that a serious challenge may boost one`s optimism a bit.
People tend to run a little toward the optimistic end of the dimension, but not by a whole lot,Carver said. Also, people tend to the moderate in their self-descriptions.
Not many are saying they are enormously optimistic or pessimistic.
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