The Psychology of Success: Secrets of Serial Achievement

Citation

Nolan, S. (2010), "The Psychology of Success: Secrets of Serial Achievement", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 9 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/shr.2010.37209bab.013

The Psychology of Success: Secrets of Serial Achievement

Article Type: Recommended reading From: Strategic HR Review, Volume 9, Issue 2

Judith Leary-Joyce,Pearson Education Limited,ISBN 978-0-273-72089-8

This book is aimed at helping individuals who want to be “serial achievers” – to continuously reach peaks of success across the different and changing life stages. In the words of the author, it is about “working your core talent so you fulfill your promise and become as successful as you want to be.” She says this means focusing on what you want now, rather than in the future, as aspirations change with individuals and their lives. It is not about fame and money, but about doing what you want and doing it well.

In researching the book, Leary-Joyce interviewed people who had achieved great things in their lives. A common theme across these conversations was the moment of realization that they had to take responsibility for their own lives – a realization that was often triggered by a tough situation. This and other experiences of serial achievers, including the author’s own, form the basis of the book.

It is divided into two sections. The first focuses on learning about yourself and looks at the “five fundamentals” of understanding your own talent, achiever style and life patterns and making them work for you. The second section works through the “seven behaviors” of a serial achiever – taking responsibility, building relationships, embracing change, inviting opportunity, being passionate, being conscious and getting focused.

This is an easy-to-digest book for anyone looking for help in achieving their goals. It is jargon-free and very practical and includes exercises throughout to help the reader with self-discovery and understanding, as well as stories to inspire. It is a strong personal development book and would also be useful to those in business responsible for managing serial achievers by providing an insight into how this talent pool functions.

Sara NolanEditor, Strategic HR Review