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Secrets to Success Deborah Cole Micek |
Breaking the ice problem
I just finished watching the special on the mounting "ice" problem here in Hawaii. I found most of the emphasis was placed on the problems drug addiction causes with relatively little emphasis on solutions or why people turn to drugs in the first place. Unless we get to the root of the problem, it will continue to escalate and do further damage to our families and our economy.
Rather than go into a psychological thesis on the potential reasons for drug addiction, I'll focus on how it relates to business. Any addiction can be traced it back to an underlying unmet need in the addict's life. Psychologists have studied six basic human needs that we all have in common. They are:
1. Security and stabilityYou may place a higher priority on one particular need over the other at any given time, but we all have a deep desire to have these needs fulfilled -- one way or another.
2. Love and acceptance
3. Recognition
4. Significance
5. Variety and risk
6. Growth and contributionThese basic needs are not a source for excuses, but rather the root of a damaging problem to which practical remedies can be applied. Confidence and optimism are only possible when all six of these needs are met on a basic level. When one or more of these needs are not met, that's when bad habits surface.
For some, the bad habit may be a simple as biting their nails. For others, it may be overeating. The most serious level of addictive behavior comes in the form of drugs.
The "natural" high
When someone is enjoying a job/career/business they were designed for, a level of euphoria kicks in. Call it a natural high.When your heart beats strongly at work, it's often because you believe you're good at what you do or believe you're making a difference. That's living in the zone -- naturally. If more people pursued a career path that excited them, you would see a reduced need for stimulation in the form of drugs or high caloric foods.
In contrast, when someone hates his or her job, resignation and despondency kicks in.
The Secret to Success in our communities is ensuring students have a sense of hope for a bright and stimulating future.
It starts with school counselors giving students scientific assessments to determine what their strengths and interests are before giving any career related advice. Once a student's interests are coupled with his or her natural strengths, that's when you'll discover the type of career or business path that will align with their inner drive.
As a business professional, you can find a child today that you can encourage to pursue the level of success and financial prosperity he or she wants to achieve. Let them know anything is possible in this day in age, if they're dedicated enough to see it through.
The business community can be a powerful force in preventing future drug use. After all, motivated, passionate educated children are the secret to our future success.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
John-Paul Micek is a small-business strategist
and chief operating officer at RPM Success Group.
Reach him at JPM@RPMsuccess.com
or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.
Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer
of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach
and life strategist. Reach her at DCM@RPMsuccess.com
or (888) 334-8151.
