Blog 6: The Many Faces of Success! By Brendan Ayers Rigorous Researcher and Creative Connector

**Since it was a very limited unit, I decided to research the term success, and how many notable people interpret the word**

If you ask people what they mean by competencies that promote job success, you'll get a wide variety of answers (pg. 104). 


The following are actual "definitions" to success, according to famous persons, the first is from the online Webster's Dictionary.

Definition of SUCCESS

1

obsolete : outcome, result

2

a : degree or measure of succeedingb : favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence

3

: one that succeeds

Ralph Waldo Emerson- To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded. 


Bob Dylan- What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.


Albert Einstein- If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.


Malcomb Forbes- Failure is success if we learn from it.


Bill Gates- Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose.
Kevin Spacey- Success is like death. The more successful you become, the higher the houses in the hills get and the higer the fences get.
I felt as though these various definitions and defining thoughts of success were very interesting.  All over the place in terms of thoughts, and something for everyone.  But what is the definition of success?  The first word in the Webster's dictionary was "obsolete"... I've never considered "obsolete" a good thing...




Creative ConnectorIf you picture an iceberg in your mind, the portion of the iceberg that's above the waterline represents the knowledge that can be usefully applied to the job and the skills demonstrated in the performance of the job.  These "above-the-waterline" elements can be strengthened by training and development and are reasonably easy to change.  The portion of the iceberg that's below the waterline represents elements or characteristics that are more difficult to change and less responsive to training and development.  These elements are more inherent qualities that include, for example, self-image (attitudes, values, and identity), traits (general dispositions to behave in a certain way), and motives (thoughts and impulses to behave in a certain way)(pg. 104). 


I can most easily connect this quote with earlier jobs in my life.  When I was a teenager testing the working world, one of the jobs I had was a sales associate with MediaPlay.  I stayed with MP until they went out of business, I was an employee there about 3 years.  They loved me as a person, and as a welcoming staff member, and several regulars (customers) found joy in talking to me about the music that was out there.  Anyways, I was always on the "above water" side of the iceberg.  When you have a dress code, strict code of conduct, scripted documents to sell their terrible perks card, and on top of it all, make less than 8 bucks an hour?  About 5 after taxes?  It's no wonder to me that I was so reserved and wouldn't sacrifice my values for that job!

When you go to a McDonald's, you know exactly what you'll get to eat.  When you need to send an overnight package that absolutely has to arrive the next morning, your first thought is FedEx.  When you buy a new computer, one of the first things you look for is an Intel processor.  Why can't the same mind-set work to the advantage of public schools?  We think it can (pg. 107). 


This statement upsets me from a past experience.  I worked at Earth Camp with the Genessee Country Museum for 7 years.  At my very first interview, I looked different.  Very different.  My hair was below my shoulders, I had 13 earrings.  Not your typical employee.  But the employer saw through that, they saw a unique person that could really help the program.  Luckilly, I got accepted into the position, and consequently, pushed Earth Camp in a great direction for the next 7 years.  This was my all-time favorite job, and I owe it to the employers thinking "outside the box".

Professionals in the field of education (teachers, administrators, counselors, specialists, nurses, etc.) chose this field because they love children, are dedicated to the concept of education, and believe in its value to our society (pg. 114).  

This passage sums it all up.  We are here for the children, and we need to do our job.  Teaching in the city school district, too many teachers take their personal feelings into the classroom, verbally lash out at students, and just can't keep their cool.  I don't feel as though the Rochester City School District is a bad place at all, I feel it's a district where the children are pressured to live up to a bad reputation.  Therefore, rather than try to break the stereotype, it feels expected to me that the children will be difficult, and I have a feeling the students walk into the classroom thinking that whatever they do, they have already been labeled.  



References
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_success.html
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/success
http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/success/