The following is an excerpt from my new book Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can and is meant to be a bit of fun. Read it with your tongue well and truly
wedged in your cheek.
I like to play a bit of a game when I meet really successful people
for the first time. I like to see in which of my reality television categories they fit. I'm yet to meet a really
successful person who doesn't seem to obviously slot into one of the categories I've identified
here.
Pick the most successful individuals you know personally and read
through this list to figure out which "reality success profile(s)" they fit…
"Born with it" categories
This group is those people who are created with innate gifts.
They're blessed with certain characteristics that make them ideally suited (almost from birth it would seem) to
rising to success.
Next Top Model
Look out for: Charm and
beauty
These are our beauty queens (and kings). They have
significant looks and/or charm and they know how to use them to their best effect. Sometimes, but
not always, the most ethical of characters, they do what has to be done to get what they want and are happy to utilise
their natural talents.
The Osbournes
Look out for: The silver
platter
Born into wealth and/or power, you'll find this individual fits into either the
group handed everything but not quite knowing what to do with it or, in some rare and spectacular cases, taking what's
been given and expanding it beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
So You Think You Can Dance
Look out for: Natural
talent
These individuals have been blessed with a mind and talent that is simply built
for success, often making their achievement seem almost predestined. Also like the dancers on the
show, they have put in the hard yards to hone their skills and ability to create their
success.
"Anyone can" categories
The best thing about this group is that any of us can aspire to be
here. These are all learned skills that anyone can master if you dedicate yourself to the
pursuit.
Dancing with the Stars
Look out for: Don't even try - you won't see them
coming
These people are the chameleons of any workplace. Change
doesn't faze them as they can adapt to any situation. Flexibility is their middle name and they
have no fear of constantly picking up more skills to add to their repertoire. Most importantly -
they're willing to fall over and over and still get up and keep trying.
Amazing Race
Look out for: Team spirit and work
ethic
These people are well loved, with a loyal following in any workplace. They have
mastered the art of teamwork and understand the true meaning of the synergy concept (1 + 1 = 3). They're also willing to
put in the hard yards and go the extra mile, past any route markers or detours, to get to the final
destination.
Idol
Look out for: Volume and
confidence
Look out for the person at your next meeting who demands to be noticed. They
speak up, they're confident and they're loud (with purpose, rather than loud for loud's sake). Everyone knows them or
knows of them and they're present even when they're not in the room. They produce high volume in thoughts, ideas and
results.
Apprentice
Look out for: The
diplomat
These are the master negotiators and deal makers who have wangled and wrung every
last upward movement within an organisation that they can. You can hate them if you want, and/or you can learn from them.
Listen to how persuasive they can be - they didn't get here by accident.
Survivor
Look out for: An axe in your
back
Here's our dodgy category. Even though I love this show, you only have to watch
it for one season to realise that it's rare for someone to compete successfully on the show while upholding any semblance
of the ethics they might display in the outside world. If you know someone willing to do anything to get ahead, including
playing dirty, then Survivor is definitely their category.
In considering your own personal success, which category or categories
would you most like to fit into?
Kirsty
Dunphey is one of Australia's most publicised young entrepreneurs. The youngest ever winner of the Australian Telstra Young
Business Woman of the Year award, Kirsty started her first business at 15, her own real estate agency at 21, was a self-made
millionaire at 23 and a self-made multi-millionaire at 25. For more information on Kirsty or either of her books - Advance to
Go, Collect $1 Million and Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can or to sign up to her weekly newsletter head to: www.kirstydunphey.com
