How can you be more successful in life by answering two questions?

This post is inspired by an article by a Harvard professor, Eric Barker’s. He wrote a book called “Barking Up the Wrong Tree.” Barker uses them as prime examples of people who succeeded because of – not in spite of – their eccentricities.

Phelps has an unusual body type; Churchill was a “paranoid loose cannon.” And yet both found a niche where those oddities would be helpful instead of detrimental, and subsequently rose to the top of their field. It’s a process anyone can replicate (though there are no guarantees that you’ll earn international fame).

Barker spoke to Harvard Business School professor Gautam Mukunda and Mukunda boiled it down to two steps, based on the Leadership Filtration Theory that he developed:

1. Know yourself. You can ask yourself: What are my “signature strengths?” Those are the skills you’re particularly good at.

2. Pick the right pond. Barker recommends asking yourself: “Which companies, institutions, and situations value what I do?”

Barker explained that certain personality characteristics might be counterproductive in most situations, and therefore seen as negative qualities in general. Take stubbornness, for example.  Though it is seen as a negative, in a positive light, it is determination.

Barker also highlighted another critical element of success. You’ve got to know what you do well and what kind of work environment would allow you to do it.

For Phelps, having a somewhat awkward body type made him a pretty bad runner and dancer – but it also made him an incredible swimmer. For Churchill, being paranoid meant that he was once “deemed unsuitable for the highest offices” – but it also meant he recognized Hitler as a threat to the world.

Look at your self in the mirror. Are you a rule-breaker? A rule follower? Somewhere in between? And then you’ll have to be honest with yourself about which environments you’re best suited for. Maybe it’s not the corporate world; maybe it’s not starting your own company. It may take some experimentation and even failure, but in the long run you’ll be better positioned for success. First understand yourself and you can then better position yourself for success.

Interesting reads:

The 4 Habits You Need to Be Successful

wikiHow to Be Successful in Life

wikiHow to Be Successful

Barking up the wrong tree

A Harvard professor says your answers to 2 questions will help you become more successful in life

6 Things You Should Quit Doing To Be More Successful