These days, almost every young person is thinking about the same questions: How can I be successful? What will it take to get that great job? How can I be fulfilled in life? Our teachers and parents tell us that “hard work is the key,” and that’s certainly not wrong―but it isn’t the whole story, either.
A lot of my friends worked really hard and got good marks in school, but after graduating from university, only some of them were successful. So what’s the difference? Sure, some of it is just luck, but is there a real difference between hard workers who become successful and hard workers who don’t?
I used to be puzzled by this, but when I read the articles for this month’s magazine, I suddenly realized the answer: aside from hard work, the other ingredient in the recipe for success is goalsetting.
To see exactly what I mean, check out Passion and Creativity Are Not Enough―You Need Goals, Too. If reading that article isn’t enough to convince you to set your own goals, then skip over to My Goal to Become a Triathlete for an inspiring story about how goal-setting can conquer almost anything. Setting goals isn’t always easy, though. For the nuts and bolts of goal setting, have a look at The Importance of Goal-Setting and The Goals that Guide Us.
As long as you’re in school, the teachers set your goals for you; they give you the homework and make the exams. After you graduate, though, your success will depend on your ability to make those goals for yourself. As for me, I plan to clear up my own goals and find my own way to success. Will you join me?
一年之计在于春
现如今，几乎每个年轻人都在思考着同样的问题：我怎样才能取得成功？怎样才能得到那份很棒的工作？怎样才能拥有充实的人生？老师和家长们告诉我们：“努力工作是关键”，这当然没错――但是它也绝非事实的全部。
我的许多朋友都非常努力学习，成绩都很好，但是大学毕业之后，只有部分人能算得上成功。那么原因何在？当然，其中也有运气的成分，但是同样努力，有的人很成功而有的却籍籍无名，这当中是否存在真正的区别？
我过去常常对此感到迷惑不解，但是当我读到本期CR里的文章时，我突然顿悟了，答案就在于：成功的秘诀除了努力工作，还包括设定目标。
想确切理解我的意思，请看《目标不可缺》一文。如果这篇文章还不足以说服你开始设定自己的目标，请跳往《我的三项全能之路》一文，这篇鼓舞人心的文章讲述了一个只要有目标，几乎任何困难都可以被克服的故事。设定目标并非易事。《步步为营》与《心中有目标》这两篇文章为我们列举了设定目标的各种细节。
只要你还是一名学生，老师就会为你设定目标；他们为你安排作业、出考题。然而在你毕业之后，你的成功便将依赖于你为自己设定目标的能力。对我而言，我决定将自己的目标逐个攻克，找到通往成功的道路。你愿意和我一起迈向成功吗？